Pretty ProgressiveHaving healthy teeth is often taken for granted, even though it’s one of our greatest assets. The teeth help us chew and enjoy food better, and a beautiful smile will be almost impossible without having them in a healthy shape.
Like any other body part, the teeth are also susceptible to pain and aching, and several factors can cause it. In fact, something as little as a popcorn hull stuck somewhere in the gum can cause a toothache. For clarity purposes, a toothache is a pain in or around the tooth. Other causes of a toothache can be:
- a broken tooth or tooth fracture
- bacterial infection (e.g. in the case of an abscessed tooth)
- gum irritation
- tooth decay.
- a damaged filling
- repetitive motions that wear down the teeth, such as chewing gum, clenching teeth, or grinding.
- Eruption (when the teeth come out of the gums)
- removal of a tooth (e.g., wisdom teeth)
Whatever the cause of your toothache is, there are several treatments available to relieve the pain and restore normalcy. Depending on the intensity and cause of pain, treatments may range from home-based therapy to seeking the help of a dentist. In severe or unbearable toothache situations, you may require the help of an emergency dental clinic for timely intervention.
Toothache problems will usually feature one or more of the following symptoms.
- Swelling around the tooth.
- Headache or fever
- Foul-tasting drainage from the infected tooth.
- An unpleasant odor from the mouth.
The Right Way to Deal With It
While there are lots of home-based therapies for treating a hurting tooth, your best bet when these treatments don’t seem to make any tangible difference will be to contact a dentist. If you feel the pain is beyond normal and may escalate to a more complicated issue, an emergency dental clinic will be the most suitable option due to their prompt and sophisticated medical treatment.
It’s worth mentioning that pains that occur only when pressure is applied to the concerned tooth ( such as by biting down on something) can be alleviated with home-based treatments. Some of them include
1. Rinsing with warm salt water
Saltwater is a highly effective treatment for toothache. It can help loosen debris between your teeth and as well act as a disinfectant. In the same vein, saltwater reduces inflammation and helps your teeth feel much better. To do this treatment, stir a half teaspoon of salt into a glass of clean, warm water and rinse your mouth thoroughly.
2. Rinse with hydrogen peroxide
Another solution that works as a teeth pain reliever is hydrogen peroxide. Besides this, the solution can as well reduce inflammation, helping it improve overall teeth health. To use it, dilute the hydrogen peroxide in water (in equal parts) and rinse your mouth thoroughly without swallowing it.
3. Cold compression
If you experience pain accompanied by swelling, a cold compression might be helpful. Wrap some ice in a towel and place it on the painful area for about 20 minutes. The technique works best when you repeat it every few hours until you feel substantially relieved.
Finally, other treatments like herbal therapies may also work effectively on toothache. However, you should see your dentist if you don’t notice much improvement after a while.
