Having a toothache is never good and can be a symptom of a larger problem. If you notice your toothache is there after multiple days of proper oral care, please call our Shelby Township, MI, emergency dentists. We can take a closer look using visual inspection and certain imaging tests to find the culprit.
Before your appointment, however, you can try one of these 5 from our dentists.
1. Rinse & Disinfect Your Mouth
One is food caught between the teeth. Swishing around warm water may loosen and even dislodge whatever pieces of food are causing the problem. Saltwater specifically can help heal and disinfect wounds in your mouth. To make a saltwater rinse, mix 1/2 teaspoon salt with a glass of warm water.
When the salt has been thoroughly mixed into the water, swish it around for about 30 seconds then spit it out. Be sure that you do not swallow the mixture.
2. Try Flossing
Another way to relieve a toothache caused by food stuck between teeth is to floss it out. If you dislodge a piece of food that’s been stuck for a while, your gums may bleed a little. This is normal. Call one of our emergency dentists if your toothache persists or worsens after you’ve attempted to floss.
3. Use a Cold Compress
One way you can numb tooth pain is by using a cold compress. The coldness of the compress makes the blood vessels underneath constrict. You’ll experience less pain with less blood circulation.
A frozen bag of peas or corn will work if you don’t have a cold compress. If you use frozen vegetables, wrap a kitchen towel around the bag to protect your skin. You should also never apply a cold compress for more than 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Natural Numbing & Healing
If less conventional and natural methods are your thing, try soothing your tooth with a slightly warmed peppermint tea bag. Set the warmed and wet tea bag next to the affected tooth and over the next 20 minutes or so, the natural numbing agents will help provide some relief.
Vanilla extract can also work as a thanks to its numbing and antioxidant properties. Put a small drop on a Qtip, cotton ball, or your finger and apply to the affected area.
Garlic has also been used throughout history for its healing properties. It can relieve pain and kill bacteria that produce dental plaque. Take a garlic clove and make a fine paste from it, then apply to the aching area.
5. Use Over-the-Counter Medicine
This is by no means a long-term solution, but over-the-counter pain relievers can help you in the short term until your appointment. If you’re unsure what medications to use, call our Shelby Township dental office. We’ll be more than happy to help you choose the right options.
Why Seeing Our Dentists Is Important
Rarely will a toothache itself be the problem, but is usually a symptom of something else. Similarly, a toothache isn’t an urgent emergency, but if a dental abscess is causing your toothache, then you’ll need to be seen by one of our dentists as soon as possible.
It’s important to schedule an appointment because the remedies we listed above are not permanent fixes. During your appointment, we will be able to determine the cause of the problem and help restore your oral health.
Give Our Office a Call
If you want relief from a toothache, our emergency dentists in Shelby Township, MI can help. Call the dental office of Jeffrey T. Baker DDS PC today at (586) 992-9222 to request an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.
