There are several reasons a person might have a toothache. Teeth usually feel pain when the top layer of the tooth—the enamel—is damaged and exposes the inner layers. The pain may be sharp, dull, persistent, or throbbing. In some cases, a trip to the dentist may be necessary, however, there are several at-home remedies you can try to relieve the pain.
In this blog, we’ll offer a few home remedies for toothaches and explain when it’s necessary to visit the dentist.
Home Remedies for Toothaches
It’s important to note that home remedies don’t treat the underlying problem of a toothache. So, while the pain may subside for a little while, it will likely return. However, in some cases, a remedy can relieve the mouth of infection and pain caused by lodged food particles and other debris.
Ice
Pain caused by injury and swollen gums can sometimes be quelled with ice. Create an ice pack with a towel, Ziplock bag, and ice, or use a bag of frozen vegetables. Place the ice pack on the cheek where the tooth hurts for about three minutes, allow another minute for relief, then place the ice pack back on the painful area.
Saltwater Rinse
Saltwater is a natural antibacterial agent that can reduce inflammation. Irritated gums around a tooth can lead to pain. If the irritation is caused by debris or food particles lodged in the gums, rinsing with saltwater can dislodge those particles and clear out any disease-causing bacteria at the same time.
Peppermint Tea
Along with having a numbing effect, peppermint contains menthol, an antibacterial. There are two ways to utilize peppermint tea for a toothache:
- Boil one teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves and steep for 20 minutes. Once cooled, swish it around in your mouth, then spit or swallow. Repeat three times.
- If you have peppermint tea bags, wet it with warm water and hold it against the pained tooth for several minutes.
Essential Oils
Essential oils have become increasingly popular over the past few years for good reason! They are a natural way to fight against oral, overall, and mental health problems. Though they don’t always work as well as modern medicine, these oils are known to help relieve toothache pain:
- Clove oil
- Bay oil
- Thieves oil
- Peppermint oil
- Tea tree oil
- Myrrh oil
- Lavender oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Ginger oil
To learn more about how these oils work and which one will be most beneficial for your situation, check out this blog.
When to Visit Your Dentist
Ultimately, any type of toothache is reason enough to schedule a dental appointment, but we especially urge patients to reach out to their dentist if they are experiencing any of these additional symptoms:
- Increasing pain
- Continuous gum inflammation
- Swelling around face or jaw
- Bleeding gums
- Fever
- Dry mouth
- Earache
- Feeling unwell overall
Avoiding the dentist will only lead to more pain and worsening oral health issues. In some cases, the pain may also indicate or lead to overall health issues like heart disease, stroke, or diabetes.
Toothache Relief in Denver
At Metropolitan Dental Care, we strive to create a warm, comforting dental environment for patients of all ages. Our team of experts is prepared to help you find the toothache relief you need as soon as possible.
Contact our friendly dental team today at (303) 534-2626 to schedule an appointment with our trusted dentists.
