8 Home Toothache Remedies

8 Home Toothache Remedies

8th June 2023

Toothache can be some of the most intense pain to put up with. Not only does it stop you from enjoying your normal activities, but it can also become so invasive to the point of waking you up at night.

Here at Innovadent, we offer emergency dental treatment for patients who need us in a crisis. Whilst you wait for your appointment with us to have this pain alleviated, here are some toothache remedies you can try at home before coming in to see us for your emergency dentist appointment here in Canary Wharf.

Saltwater rinse

Saltwater rinses are beneficial for your teeth for two reasons. Firstly, salt is a natural antiseptic that will reduce infection by reducing inflammation in your mouth. Secondly, salt water rinses will also help to loosen food particles and harmful substances trapped in between your teeth. Make sure you use slightly warm water and half a teaspoon of salt. Swill this around in your mouth for 15 to 30 seconds. Saltwater rinses are particularly effective when wisdom teeth become impacted and infected, acting as natural temporary pain relief whilst you wait for your appointment with your dentist.

Garlic

Garlic has been used in ancient medicine for centuries. Containing allicin, a compound with known antibiotic qualities, fresh garlic can be an effective remedy for dental pain. Peel a clove of garlic and chew down gently on the sore tooth to help remove the pain-inducing bacteria.

Clove

Cloves aren’t just something you decorate oranges with at Christmas! They contain a natural form of anaesthetic and antiseptic known as eugenol. Clove is often found in dental products in a form where it is separated from the essential oil it contains. A few drops of clove oil can be placed on a cotton ball and applied to where the toothache pain is most prevalent.

Peppermint tea

Peppermint is one of the most effective natural painkillers containing menthol which is a key ingredient in many over-the-counter pain relievers such as sprays, gels, and creams. Menthol molecules bind to the brain’s pain receptors and can help relieve tooth pain. Apply peppermint with a cotton ball or drink a portion of peppermint tea (however, enjoy tea in moderation as it can stain your teeth over time!)

Cold compress

If you have toothache accompanied by swelling around the area, a cold compress can be held against your cheek outside of your mouth (do not apply a cold compress to the inside of your mouth). Cold will help to numb the area without causing any intense sensitivity to the area. A cold compress can also help to provide relief for the aching tooth during the nighttime. Use an ice pack or ice wrapped in a towel – do not apply ice directly to the skin.

Over-the-counter medications

Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as Ibuprofen are highly effective against tooth pain. These medications will temporarily reduce swelling. Meanwhile, if tooth pain is extremely severe, it’s possible to purchase low-dosage opiates over the counter. However, these should only ever be used for 3 days.

What might tooth pain be trying to tell me?

Severe pain on or around a tooth needs to be investigated, particularly if you have a fractured tooth or an abscessed tooth. A bad taste in your mouth accompanied by dental pain could be indicating a severe infection needs urgent treatment, and the earlier we see you, the more chance we have of needing to resort to root canal treatment to save your tooth. Nerve pain caused by a crack or abscess also indicates that the living pulp inside your tooth could be at risk of dying altogether. Your dentist will be able to provide antibiotics to clear up the infection and prevent future dental pain related to your affected tooth. This can be reinforced with restorative treatment like a filling or a crown if needed.

Seek treatment for a painful tooth here at Innovadent

We recommend only using home remedies whilst waiting for your emergency dental appointment. Your dentist will be able to advise on which home remedy to use depending on the symptoms you describe on the phone, providing temporary relief until we can get you into the practice for an assessment and prescription pain relief.

The pain relief suggestions above typically remedy minor irritation and inflammation. We recommend coming in for routine check-ups for the sake of your oral health, which will be less at risk of severe toothache. Six-monthly check-ups give your dentist the opportunity to identify emerging symptoms that could have otherwise led to tooth pain and restorative dental treatment.

At Innovadent, we use microscopic equipment to identify even the smallest decay and biofilm deposits. This makes for accurate diagnoses from the moment we examine you and speeds up the trajectory toward helping you to make a full recovery.

Book your emergency dentist appointment or routine check-up by contacting our friendly reception team.