Whether it’s caused by dental cavities, trauma, or an infection, having a toothache is painful. Luckily, a dentist has many treatment options to alleviate the pain, but it could take time before you get in for your appointment. When that happens, using these at-home pain relief strategies will minimize the discomfort.

How to Alleviate Pain Until You Can See the Dentist

1. Rinse With Salt Water

Rinsing with a glass of warm water that has half a teaspoon of salt in it is an effective first-line treatment option to alleviate pain. Saltwater naturally disinfects the tooth and surrounding gums while loosening any food particles and debris stuck between the teeth. It also reduces inflammation, which helps heal oral wounds.

2. Use Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide mixed with water fights infections and kills bacteria in the mouth. Mix two parts water with one part hydrogen peroxide and swish and gargle the solution for 1 minute. While it won’t fix the tooth pain, it’ll stave off the infection until you visit the dentist.

3. Apply a Cold Compress

You can reduce inflammation and mitigate pain using a cold compress. Hold a cold pack or bag of frozen vegetables to the side of your face that’s experiencing the pain for 20 minutes or until the pain subsides. Once it returns, reapply the cold compress.

4. Avoid Certain Food & Drinks

Extreme heat or cold causes teeth to expand and contract, and that exasperates any existing tooth pain. By sticking to mild-temperature foods and drinks, you can manage the pain until the appointment. Similarly, sugary and acidic foods can agitate pain and worsen the damage, so they should be avoided.

5. Take Pain Medication

Over-the-counter pain medications like Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen temporarily reduce inflammation and alleviate toothache pain. Follow the instructions on the back of the bottle to avoid adverse side effects.

 

If you’re experiencing pain from a toothache, schedule an appointment with S. Jill Spurlin, DMD in Enterprise, AL. As one of the premier family dentistry providers in the area, this talented team has the experience and technology needed to diagnose the cause of your pain and prescribe the best pain relief solution. Visit them online for more information, or call (334) 475-2624 to schedule an appointment.