5 Practical Ways to Ease a Toothache

A toothache can be excruciating, but you still have to wait for your appointment with the dentist. You usually want to find relief by any means necessary, even if it only helps a little. 

Our experienced team at Hendricks Dental Specialists provides prompt care for severe toothaches and other dental emergencies. Even if your toothache isn’t an emergency, we can still diagnose and treat the underlying problem. 

Until you can get to our office for treatment, follow these five tips for relieving the pain. 

1. Use a cold compress

A cold compress or ice pack helps reduce swelling or inflammation contributing to a toothache. Beyond reducing swelling, the coldness numbs the painful tooth a little. Hold the ice pack or compress to your cheek for 10 minutes at a time, roughly once an hour. 

You can use a pre-made ice pack or a watertight bag filled with ice. Always wrap your ice pack in a towel before pressing it against your skin. 

2. Rinse with warm saltwater

Use a saltwater rinse as you would mouthwash to temporarily relieve tooth pain. Ensure the water is warm but not too hot. Hot water can aggravate the painful areas or, if it’s hot enough, burn the inside of your mouth. 

A saltwater rinse can cleanse your mouth of any bacteria. Rinse for about 30 seconds before spitting. 

Alternatively, you can use a diluted hydrogen peroxide rinse. 

3. Take a nonprescription pain reliever

You might already have over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen in your home. If you don’t, they’re easy to get because you don’t need a prescription. Taking a nonprescription pain reliever reduces the discomfort as you await treatment for the underlying problem. 

Never press aspirin or any other pain reliever against your gums because the medication can burn your gum tissue, which can cause even more pain. 

4. Floss your teeth

Occasionally, toothaches arise when something is stuck between your teeth. Therefore, try flossing your teeth to remove any stuck particles. 

Flossing once a day can help prevent toothaches from popcorn seeds and other foods likely to get wedged in the cracks. 

5. Apply a tea bag

Tea contains chemicals called tannins that help reduce inflammation while killing bacteria. By holding a tea bag against your painful tooth, you can reduce your tooth pain. 

Before applying a tea bag against a painful tooth, soak it in boiling water for a couple minutes. Black tea, chamomile, or peppermint are all teas that work well for this purpose. 

Get in touch

If your toothache persists or gets worse, let our experts know. Call Hendricks Dental Specialists or request an appointment online today.