What Can You Really Do When You Have A Toothache?

Doesn’t it always seem like you get sick in the middle of the night, or wake up with an excoriating toothache at the time when our offices are closed? Or maybe you’re out of town. You’d think this is just bad luck, but almost everyone has had a terrible ache or pain come at the worst time.

As patients and as dentists we understand how annoying these emergencies can be. In your groggy state, you’re trying to determine if the pain is bad enough to make a call to our office after hours, or if can wait until morning. Or, in extreme cases, if you need to seek care immediately.

To help you make it through the night (or, in really apocalyptic cases, through your precious vacation time), or even if you just want to wait until you get home to come into the office, we’ve provided some tricks to help keep the pain at bay while waiting for your appointment.

However, if it is a true emergency where you’ve knocked out a tooth or are experiencing uncontrollable bleeding, please don’t try out home remedies—instead seek out an emergency dentist immediately.

Swelling in the mouth

Many times, a tooth abscess can cause swelling in the gums and significant pain. An abscess can occur when an infection develops inside the tooth. Bacteria enters the tooth when it’s chipped, broken or decaying. And once an infection is present, it needs to be treated by a dentist. However, there are home remedies that can help ward off pain until your appointment.

First, a salt water rinse to swish around will help your aching teeth, as well as promote wound healing and protect your gums. Mix half a teaspoon of salt into a hand cup of warm water. Rinse your mouth out and swish the liquid for at least two minutes. Repeat this routine up to three times a day. In lieu of salt, you can substitute baking soda with the added benefit of having anti-bacterial properties. Once again, take a half teaspoon of baking soda and mix in half a cup of warm water. Rinse you mouth with this mixture at least twice a day.

External swelling 

If you are experiencing pain on the outside of your mouth (which can sometimes a radial pain that occurs due to nerve placement in the mouth), a cold compress can help numb pain and provide relief.

Place an ice pack or a plastic bag full or ice inside a washcloth. Use the compress in 15-minute intervals over the course of the day. This should provide some temporary relief.

The unrelenting toothache

A toothache in the middle of the night can disrupt your sleep and leave you restless. Thankfully, there are numerous home remedies to help, many of which date back to ancient times.

If you can stomach strong flavors, garlic has been used widely throughout time as a remedy toothaches. Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which accounts for its powerful antibacterial properties. Crush a fresh glove of garlic and mix it with salt, then apply to the affected tooth.

If garlic is a little too much, consider using peppermint for its numbing properties. In addition, menthol (which gives peppermint its minty flavor and smell) is also known for its antibacterial properties. Put peppermint leaves in boiling water and let them steep for 20 minutes. After allowing the liquid to cool, swish the peppermint tea several times a day. If you have peppermint tea in a bag, the bag can be placed on the affected area to provide similar medicinal benefits.

When to see the dentist 

It’s important to visit your dentist bi-annually to prevent problems in the first place. Preventative check-ups can spot problems early and allow for treatment before you experience any pain at all. If you are experiencing pain, however, it’s important to call our office as soon as it opens. We can help determine the severity of your symptoms and schedule an appointment.

Don’t brush off your symptoms as just a part of getting older or as a side-effect of something else. Ignoring symptoms can cause them to compound and only get worse.