Are you suffering from a throbbing toothache? Whether the discomfort and pain come in sharp bursts or linger constantly, a toothache can easily disrupt your day-to-day activities and keep you up at night. A toothache can be caused by a plethora of reasons.
Some common ones are shared below for you:
Common causes of a toothache
- Tooth decay – Damage to the outer surface or enamel due to plaque build-up.
- Gum disease – Different gum diseases, such as gingivitis or periodontitis, can lead to extreme tooth pain
- Tooth grinding – It happens during sleep and damages the teeth and jaw.
- Sensitive teeth – Exposed dentin can cause tooth sensitivity and an aching tooth.
- Fractured tooth – A crack or split in your tooth can come from biting on something hard, falling, or being hit in the jaw with something solid.
- Abscess – It is an accumulation of bacteria and presents as pus in the pulp tissue of the tooth.
- Impacted wisdom tooth – Impacted wisdom tooth often grows in a sac within the jawbone. If fluid accumulates in this sac, it can form a cyst and cause pain or damage adjacent nerves and teeth.
Delayed dental treatment can complicate the underlying issue and pose a serious health risk. Below are some remedies you can try to minimise dental pain while you wait for your dental appointment.
Home remedies for toothache relief
Cold compress
Wrap an icepack in a towel and dab gently on the site of pain at 10-minute intervals. Ice helps to numb the pain and provides temporary relief.
Elevate your head
Lying down might worsen your pain because when you lie flat on your back, the blood pressure in your head increases. To sleep better, prop up your head with pillows.
Over-the-counter medications
You can take over-the-counter pain medication that targets inflammation, such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If you need additional relief, there are gels you can apply directly to your tooth and gums.
Salt water rinse
Salt is a natural disinfectant and can help reduce inflammation. Mix ½ teaspoon of salt with warm water and swish it in your mouth for 30 seconds.
Hydrogen peroxide rinse
Mix 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide with one cup of water. Use it as a mouthwash to treat pain and swelling. Do not ingest the solution.
Garlic
Garlic is a natural pain reliever. Crush two pieces of garlic and apply the paste over the affected tooth.
Clove
Clove has antiseptic properties. For temporary pain relief, apply a few drops of clove oil to a cotton ball and place it on the painful tooth. Please note the above-mentioned remedies for tooth pain relief are not a replacement for dental treatment.
How to know if your toothache is a dental emergency?
The intensity of tooth pain may escalate from low to high within a few hours. It is important to seek immediate dental care if you notice any of the signs below: 
- High-grade fever
- Swelling at the site of pain
- Sharp headache
- Bleeding and inflamed gums
- Foul-tasting discharge
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Tooth pain that radiates to the left jaw and arm
Do you need help with toothache?
Book an emergency appointment with our friendly dental professionals at Woonona Dentists by calling us on (02) 4284 4486 for a detailed dental exam to relieve your toothache.
References
How to treat a toothache at home
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320315
Toothache home remedies
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/home-remedies-toothache
