Pain in or around a tooth is commonly caused by decay, according to the Mayo Clinic. Toothaches are generally a sign it is time to have a dental exam. Still, visiting a dentist is not always an immediate option. Home treatments and remedies assist with pain relief until a person is able to seek medical attention. A person should always seek emergency treatment if pain is intolerable, fever is present, or difficulty breathing develops.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Dull the painful sensation of a toothache by taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Oral pain medications should not be placed directly onto the tooth or gums; a burning sensation is possible. Antiseptic ointments containing benzocaine should be rubbed onto the tooth and surrounding gum to decrease pain. Oil of cloves is an herbal treatment; the oil is commonly found at drugstores. Applying the oil onto the tooth or surrounding gum will temporarily relieve pain. Alternatively, placing a piece of clove onto the affected side of the mouth and chewing may ease toothaches.
Water Rinse
Rinsing the mouth with room temperature water may release any food lodged between teeth. Adding a teaspoon of table salt to an 8 oz. glass of water and swishing inside the mouth morning, night and between meals relieves toothache pain. A person should not swallow the salt water, but spit the water out. In addition to the water rinse, dental floss can loosen any food particles lodged between teeth.
Hand Massage
A hand massage using ice relieves toothache pain in 60 to 90 percent of patients, according to MotherNature.com. Five to seven minutes of rubbing ice between the v-shaped section linking the bone of thumb and the forefinger eases pain by 50 percent. Sensations are sent on the nerve impulses used normally by the tooth to indicate pain. Because only one sensation is felt, the hand massage outweighs the toothache pain. Placing ice directly into the mouth over the toothache area also relieves pain temporarily. Ice should be placed directly onto the tooth for about 15 minutes three to four times a day.
Member Comments