Toothache pain ranges from mild to excruciating, may affect more than one tooth and often spreads to the rest of the mouth, jaw, ears and head. Toothaches may cause throbbing or constant pain, with or without sensitivity to heat and cold. While all severe or persistent toothaches require professional attention, home remedies can ease the pain and enable eating and sleeping until you can see the dentist.
Continued Dental Care
A fractured tooth, tooth decay or trapped food between the teeth can all cause toothache, according to the Rhode Island Dental Association. Rinsing with salt water can dislodge food particles, reduce inflammation and ease toothache pain. Continue to brush and floss as normal, using a soft-bristle brush, provided the pain is tolerable. Gargling with antiseptic mouthwash will help reduce the pain associated with infection and inflammation until dental care is available.
Ice Applications
Applying ice to the affected area can reduce toothache pain and swelling by numbing the nerves in the skin and mouth. Never place ice directly against the skin, according to Ohio State University Medical Center, as doing so can cause tissue damage. Instead, wrap an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables in a thin towel before use. While ice is effective at numbing toothache pain, drinking cold beverages may actually worsen pain, especially if your teeth are temperature-sensitive.
Alternative Treatments
Willow bark, clove, ginger and cayenne pepper can all help minimize toothache pain. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center says that willow bark works in a similar fashion to aspirin and may relieve the pain and inflammation of a toothache when ingested in supplement form. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, a powerful, natural pain-reliever when applied topically, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Mother Nature recommends ginger compresses for pain relief, and the Mayo Clinic suggests applying clove oil, a natural antiseptic and anesthetic, directly to the affected tooth. Pressing a warm teabag or slice of potato against the tooth may also reduce pain, according to the Disabled World website.
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