Dental emergencies can occur at any time, especially when it’s most inconvenient. If you ever suddenly experience a toothache and you can’t get to a dentist immediately, learning a few home remedies doesn’t hurt. At Kuhn Dental Associates, we want our patients to have healthy teeth and live pain-free lives. A toothache is usually a sign that there is something wrong going on in the mouth that requires a treatment like a filling or restorative dentistry. If you encounter a toothache in the near future, try out some of these home remedies if you can’t get to us immediately.
Rinse Your Mouth
There are a few different liquids you can try rinsing your mouth with.
Salt Water – Mix half a teaspoon of table salt in a glass with warm water. Swish and swirl the saltwater around in your mouth as long as possible. Spit it out and then repeat. Rinsing your mouth with saltwater works as a natural disinfectant and can help loosen debris or food particles lodged between teeth. It can also heal oral wounds or reduce inflammation.
Hydrogen Peroxide – You can also try rinsing your mouth with hydrogen peroxide to reduce inflammation and to relieve pain. Hydrogen peroxide can also heal bleeding gums and reduce plaque buildup! To rinse your mouth with peroxide, create a 1:1 ratio of 3% peroxide with water. Rinse your mouth and spit out the rinse.
Cold Compress
If you’re in severe pain from your toothache, using a cold compress can help, especially if there was trauma involved in the toothache. A cold compress causes the vessels in the toothache area to constrict which makes the pain less severe. It will also reduce any pain or inflammation. Wrap an ice pack or frozen vegetables in a towel and apply it to the affected area for only 20 minutes at a time. Repeat this every few hours to reduce pain and inflammation.
Peppermint Tea Bags
Peppermint tea is not only good for digestive health but also toothaches. The peppermint tea bags can soothe sensitive gums and numb pain in the mouth. To try this remedy at home, soak a peppermint tea bag in hot water for a minute and then let the teabag rest until it’s slightly warm. Apply the tea bag to the affected area for immediate relief.
Visit Your Dentist
Although these home remedies can provide you with pain relief, they are in no way a cure for the underlying cause of your toothache. If your toothache becomes unbearable or becomes worse after two days, please contact our dental office in Aberdeen for emergency dental care. You can reach us by calling (910) 692-4450 or contacting us online.
