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Although brushing and flossing consistently can prevent potential dental problems, like cavities and gum disease, there’s no guarantee that you will never experience oral issues. For instance, you could develop a sudden or severe toothache that requires an emergency appointment to address.
Unfortunately, many patients have developed pain or other issues during off-hours when their dentist’s practice is closed and have to wait through the night or weekend before they can get help. If you’re struggling to cope, continue reading to learn 3 ways to ease the ache with supplies you likely have at home!
Method #1: Numbing Cold
There are many potential reasons for a throbbing tooth, like worsening gum disease, tooth decay, or physical trauma. Regardless of the underlying issue, you can likely find some much-needed relief by applying an ice pack to that side of your face for 15 minutes at a time. The icy cold induces a temporary numbing sensation that might be just what you need to drift off to sleep or get a few moments’ reprieve.
If that doesn’t work, you can also try holding ice water in your mouth for a few seconds, but don’t bite down on the cubes because you might hurt your already tender teeth.
Method #2: Rinse Your Mouth
Rinsing your mouth out with salt water is another simple but effective at-home remedy for sore smiles. You can mix your own solution by adding about ½ teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and stirring until it dissolves. Sip, swish, and gargle the mixture, then spit it out into the sink, and repeat until the cup is empty.
This removes harmful bacteria, leftover food, and other residue that can cause an infection. It also draws excessive moisture out of swollen gums to alleviate discomfort and can usually be safely repeated several times daily.
Method #3: Place Tea Bags
Would you be surprised to learn that placing a moist tea bag can also ease toothaches? Black tea, a common ingredient found in many breakfast beverages, and peppermint both have tannins that can reduce inflammation. Furthermore, mint has menthol, which can generate a cooling, soothing sensation to ease your swelling and irritation.
If you’re using a used tea bag, wait for it to cool down some so that it’s warm, not hot, when you place it in your mouth. You might also try leaving it in the freezer for a few minutes for additional numbing. However, you might want to use this method sparingly because too many tannins can eventually stain your smile.
You can try one or more of these options to ease the ache until your dentist’s office reopens!
Meet the Author
Dr. Monica Mattson has over a decade of experience helping people of all ages improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. She earned her dental degree at Case Western Reserve in Ohio, where she graduated with honors, before completing a General Practice Residency in Dentistry and Medicine at the Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton, California. Today, she provides a comprehensive menu of services to meet your family’s needs at one location, including same-day emergency visits so you don’t have to wait for relief. If you have a toothache and need help, you can request an appointment on the website or call (443) 394-2273.