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Are you experiencing a toothache? Whether it's mild or severe, you’re likely looking for quick and effective ways to ease the pain. It's crucial to seek a dentist's advice if the pain persists or worsens. However, in the meantime, you can apply several home remedies and first aid methods to help alleviate the discomfort.
Steps
What to Do First
Remove food stuck between your teeth. One of the first things you should try – even before using home remedies – is to clean your teeth quickly. Try to remove any food particles trapped near the tooth that could be causing the pain.
How to use dental floss
Take 46 cm of dental floss and wrap it several times around your middle finger. Secure the remaining end of the floss around the same finger on your other hand.
Hold the floss tightly between your thumb and index finger.
Carefully use the floss to clean both sides of each tooth, removing any food particles by gently moving the floss back and forth.
When the floss reaches your gums, curve it into a C shape around each tooth and rub it in the space between the gums and the tooth.
Make sure to clean between all teeth, even the ones deeper inside.
After cleaning your teeth, rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water to flush out any remaining particles. Then spit it out.
Avoid using the affected tooth. Before you can apply any treatment, there are simple steps you can take to ease the pain. Absolutely avoid chewing in the painful area and on the affected tooth.
- You can try temporarily sealing the pain. If the tooth is cracked or damaged, you can temporarily seal it using soft chewing gum or dental wax until you find a more permanent solution.
- Many pharmacies also sell dental filling kits. These materials, made from zinc oxide or similar substances, can help reduce pressure and last up to two weeks, costing around 200,000 VND.
- You may also apply wax to the affected area to temporarily seal it and provide additional protection.
- To prevent tooth sensitivity, you can place cotton on the painful tooth when eating.
Take pain-relieving medication. Use over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen/paracetamol or ibuprofen to alleviate the pain before you can see a dentist. Follow the dosage instructions on the medication label.
- For most pain relievers, you can take one or two pills every 4-6 hours. However, the exact dosage varies depending on the type of medication and brand.
- You can buy these medications at any pharmacy, and they are quite affordable.
- Do not apply aspirin or other pain relievers directly onto the gums as it may cause harm.
Apply topical pain-relief ointment. Over-the-counter pain-relieving ointments are another option. These ointments numb the area around the painful tooth by applying directly to the cavity. The active ingredient in these ointments is benzocaine. Follow the instructions on the label for correct usage and dosage.
- Ointments like Orajel are available at most pharmacies, priced around 200,000 VND.
- Only use pain-relieving ointments specifically designed for dental care. Other types of pain-relief ointments can be dangerous if ingested.
- Benzocaine, in rare cases, can cause methemoglobinemia, a condition that reduces oxygen in the blood. Do not use benzocaine-containing products on children under 2 years old, and never exceed the recommended dosage.
Apply a cold compress. A quick way to relieve tooth pain is by using cold temperatures. The cold reduces blood flow to the affected area, which helps decrease pain. You'll feel better as the blood circulation in the painful area is reduced.
How to apply a cold compress
Wrap an ice cube in a plastic bag or a thin cloth and place it on your jaw near the painful tooth for about 10-15 minutes.
Take a break for 10-15 minutes, then reapply the compress if needed.
Ensure that the painful area returns to a 'normal' state before reapplying the compress. If not, you could cause harm to the surrounding tissues.
Use a temporary home remedy
Numb the pain with cloves. Cloves have long been used as an emergency remedy for toothache due to their natural numbing properties and antibacterial effects. You can use whole cloves, clove powder, or clove oil to ease the pain.
How to use cloves
If using clove powder, wash your hands thoroughly and take a pinch of the powder. Place it between the sore gum and your cheek. When the clove combines with saliva, it will start to numb the surrounding tissues.
If using whole cloves, take two or three cloves and place them near the painful area with clean hands. After the cloves soften with saliva, gently chew them to release the oil.
Alternatively, mix a few drops of clove oil with ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) of olive oil. Soak a piece of sterile cotton in the mixture and apply it to the sore tooth or gum.
Rinse with saltwater. Another way to ease the pain and fight bacteria is by preparing a saltwater mouthwash. While saltwater won’t cure the pain, it can help remove bacteria from your mouth and draw fluids out from the inflamed gums around the painful tooth, providing relief.
- Dissolve 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of salt in 250 ml of warm water. Make sure the salt is fully dissolved before using.
- Rinse with the solution for 30 seconds before spitting it out. Repeat if necessary.
- You may want to rinse with plain water afterward. Use tap water for another 30-second rinse.
Try using onion or garlic. Both of these common bulbs are folk remedies for toothaches and are believed to have antibacterial properties. While they may leave your breath smelling unpleasant, they can help eliminate harmful bacteria in your mouth and provide temporary relief from pain.
- Place a piece of garlic between the painful tooth or gum and your cheek. Keep it there until the pain subsides.
- Alternatively, cut a small slice of garlic and place it directly on the painful tooth.
Make a paste from the bark of the pomegranate tree. The root bark of the pomegranate tree is known for its natural antibiotic properties, as well as tannins and flavonoids, which help tighten the gums. When combined with vinegar to form a paste, it can reduce pain, swelling, and help strengthen the gums.
How to make pomegranate bark paste
Crush a 2.5 cm piece of pomegranate bark with 1/4 teaspoon (1.25ml) of vinegar. You may need to adjust the amount of bark or vinegar to achieve a paste consistency.
Apply the paste directly to the painful area and leave it there until the pain subsides. Afterward, rinse your mouth with warm water.
Alternatively, you can use toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Apply it to the painful tooth and leave it on for as long as possible.
Mix a paste with ginger and cayenne pepper. If your tooth is aching or sensitive, a paste made from ground ginger, cayenne pepper, and water can be applied directly to the sore tooth to alleviate the pain. Both of these spices act as natural pain relievers, and they work even more effectively when used together.
How to make the cayenne pepper paste
Put a pinch of ground ginger and a pinch of cayenne pepper in a small cup. Add a few drops of water and mix until a paste forms. [14]
Dip a piece of sterile cotton into the paste. Place the cotton directly on the painful tooth and keep it there until the pain reduces, or as long as you can tolerate it – the paste may be quite intense.
Only apply this paste to the painful tooth. Do not apply it to the gums, as it could cause irritation or burning.
Use fragrant resin alcohol. Fragrant resin is a sap extracted from certain thorny trees, commonly used in perfumes, incense, and medicine. Due to its ability to tighten mucous membranes, fragrant resin has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Because of this, alcohol made from fragrant resin has long been used as a home remedy for toothaches.
How to make fragrant resin alcohol
Add one teaspoon (5 ml) of fragrant resin powder to 500 ml of water in a small pot and simmer for about 30 minutes. Strain and allow to cool.
Mix one teaspoon (5 ml) of this solution with 125 ml of water and rinse your mouth 5-6 times a day.
Apply a warm tea bag to the painful area. Just like the roots of the Thanh Mai tree, black tea contains tannins that can tighten mucous membranes, reducing swelling and inflammation. Mint herbal tea also has mild anesthetic properties and is believed to help alleviate pain. These teas are commonly used in home remedies for toothaches.
- If you want to use tea, place the tea bag in a plate of water and microwave it for 30 seconds to warm it up. Then squeeze out the excess water.
- Place the tea bag on the affected tooth or gum and gently bite down until the pain subsides.
Use high-proof alcohol. This does not mean drinking alcohol for pain relief. In fact, strong alcoholic drinks like vodka, brandy, whiskey, or gin can numb a painful tooth if applied directly to the tooth.
- Dip a sterile cotton ball in brandy or vodka and gently press it against the painful tooth. Alternatively, you can sip some whiskey and swish it around your mouth, focusing on the area of pain.
- This method provides only temporary relief. Do not use rubbing alcohol in this way, as it can be harmful if swallowed.
Visit a dental clinic
Schedule a visit to the dentist. Home remedies are not a long-term solution and typically only provide temporary relief. If the toothache persists or worsens, it's time to seek professional care from a dentist.
- There may be serious underlying issues behind the pain, such as cracked enamel, cavities, or infections.
- Visit the dentist if home treatments aren't effective, if the pain is accompanied by swelling, fever, or pus, if the pain is due to injury, or if swallowing becomes difficult. You should also seek immediate medical help if jaw pain is accompanied by chest pain, as it could indicate a heart attack.
Dental filling. The dentist will examine and determine the cause of your toothache, which could be due to cavities, where bacteria have eroded the enamel, exposing the tooth root. Alternatively, an old filling may have come loose. Both situations require a dental filling.
- After numbing the tooth and gums, the dentist will drill into the decayed part of the tooth and refill it with either composite or amalgam material.
- There are several materials available for fillings. Composite materials are typically made from plastic, glass, or ceramics and come in shades that match the color of your teeth. Amalgam fillings, usually silver-colored, are more durable but do not match the tooth color.
- Over time, fillings can break or come loose. The dentist will remove any new decay and refill the tooth.
Dental crown. A dental crown, or cap, is used when a tooth is damaged but not lost. It is an artificial, hollow covering that restores the tooth's shape and function, protecting it from further damage. Crowns are necessary for cases of severe decay, root canal treatment, enamel loss, tooth fractures, or serious infections.
- If a cavity is too large or a root canal treatment is required, filling alone may not suffice, and a crown will be necessary.
- Generally, the dentist will numb the area, then grind down the tooth and fit a custom-made crown to restore its appearance and function. Crowns are made from materials similar to those used for fillings.
Gum tissue grafting. The pain you’re experiencing may not be from the tooth but from the gums. Some individuals suffer from receding gums, where the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, exposing the thin enamel and nerves, often leading to tooth sensitivity.
- If the pain is caused by receding gums, the dentist will provide guidance on preventive care. Sometimes, gum recession results from poor oral hygiene. The dentist may recommend flossing regularly, using a soft-bristled toothbrush, and special toothpaste like Sensodyne.
- In severe cases, the dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon or periodontist for gum grafting. The surgeon will take tissue from the roof of your mouth and graft it onto the affected area. The tissue will heal, protecting the tooth properly.
- This procedure not only protects the tooth root but also enhances the appearance of your smile, boosting your confidence.
Prescription medication for sensitivity. If the pain isn't caused by cavities or injury, it could be due to tooth sensitivity from enamel loss. There are several treatments available that gradually reduce tooth sensitivity.
- Prescription sensitivity medications are applied directly to the affected area to gradually desensitize the nerves in the tooth. Once the nerves become less sensitive, the pain will subside.
Treating a dental infection. The pain might be caused by an infection in the tooth pulp or even in the root of the tooth. If that's the case, immediate treatment is necessary to prevent the infection from killing the tooth or spreading.
- Antibiotics prescribed by a doctor are needed only when the infection is in your mouth.
- The infection is usually caused by an abscess, which may result from tooth decay or an injury.
Tooth extraction. If the pain is caused by a severe infection, a damaged tooth, or an impacted wisdom tooth, you may need to have the tooth removed by a dentist. This is considered a last resort. Losing the tooth can actually be beneficial.
- Wisdom teeth are often extracted because they can crowd other teeth. When teeth are cramped, pressure builds up, leading to pain or the risk of infection.
Preventing recurring tooth pain
Brush and floss regularly. To prevent and avoid worsening tooth pain, it’s crucial to practice good oral hygiene. This will help keep your teeth strong, healthy, and free from pain.
- Brush your teeth twice daily and floss once every day. Visit the dentist at least once a year, or even every six months. The dentist can detect potential issues early.
- Although brushing and flossing won’t reverse existing cavities, it helps prevent them and can fix calcium loss, reducing the risk of cavities.
- Try carrying a toothbrush in your bag or pocket so you can brush your teeth on the go. If you can’t brush, rinse your mouth with clean water.
Eat tooth-friendly foods. What you eat plays a significant role in your dental health. For instance, sugary foods can interact with bacteria to form acids that erode tooth enamel. To promote stronger teeth, reduce your sugar intake.
- Cut back on sodas, sugary fruit juices, sweetened tea, and coffee. Increase your water intake.
- Limit fast food, including candy and pastries.
- Avoid acidic foods and fruits like grapefruit juice, cola, and wine. Opt for snacks with an 'alkaline' effect, such as yogurt, cheese, or milk.
Use a special toothbrush and toothpaste. If you're experiencing pain due to sensitive teeth, consider using a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth. These can be found at most pharmacies.
- Sensitive teeth are often caused by receding gums. When the gums pull back, the dentin underneath the enamel is exposed. Toothpaste for sensitive teeth uses milder ingredients to clean the exposed dentin.
- Switching to a soft-bristled toothbrush can better protect the natural gum tissue.
- Hard or medium toothbrushes are effective at removing debris, but a soft-bristled brush is still the better choice if you're dealing with pain from gum issues or similar concerns.
What You Will Need
- Dental floss
- Water
- Pain relievers (topical or oral)
- Cold compresses
- Cotton balls
- Cloves
- Salt
- Garlic
- Onion
- Wheatgrass juice
- Vinegar
- Sweet wormwood
- Ground ginger
- Red pepper/cayenne pepper
- Frankincense powder
- Black or peppermint tea bags
- Brandy, vodka, or whiskey
- Toothbrush
- Dental mouthguard
