Dental Guides

The Best Treatment Options for Tooth Aches and Pains

Tooth Aches and pains can become extremely uncomfortable and difficult to live with on a daily basis. Ideally when a toothache develops you would visit the dentist immediately. Unfortunately, it is often quite difficult to get a dentist appointment quickly and so you are left in pain for days or even weeks. As you wait, it is helpful to have some tricks up your sleeve to help you to reduce the discomfort while you wait to meet with your dentist for a professional opinion. Here are some of the best treatment options available for tooth aches and pains.

The first way that you can help to relieve toothaches and pains is to take an oral pain reliever in a pill form. These anti-inflammatory medications will help soothe any pain in your body, including tooth aches. In addition, they are affordable and can be purchased over the counter at a local drug store, pharmacy, or even at the grocery store. Medications like Aspirin or ibuprofen can quickly and effectively help to minimize minor pain in the body.

Another option is to apply a cold compress to your toothache. This cold compress should be applied just outside of the affected area because direct application can actually increase the pain since the cold will increase sensitivity to both hot and cold temperatures. You can use cold water on a towel or even a small bag of ice cubes.

You may also try to numb the painful area of your mouth as a dentist might do at the dental office. Numbing agents are available in a topical form over the counter. These are gels that can help reduce throbbing and pain for a couple of hours at a time. The gel should be applied directly to the affected tooth area for the best results.

You could also find the problem causing the toothache on your own. To do this, you should thoroughly clean your teeth and your mouth. Sometimes food or other particles may be stuck in between the teeth causing pain and pressure. If you can remove this obstruction, you may be able to find significant relief from your toothache. To clean well, you should be sure to floss each tooth up to the gums. You can also brush your teeth, focusing mostly on the painful area since gingivitis could be the problem. Next, rinse with a mouthwash or even a sea salt wash to loosen up other particles in your mouth or heal any infections. You can continue this routine regularly, for overall improved oral hygiene.

These techniques can be used while you are waiting to see a dentist. In order to help with PMIR, or Pain Management and Injury Relief, you should consider an anti-inflammatory, a detailed oral hygiene routine, or a cold compress. However, professional dental care is usually necessary if you have a toothache and cannot cure the pain on your own, especially if the problem does not go away. A dentist will be able to find the source of the discomfort and may even be able to give you a filling or a root canal if necessary to protect your teeth from further damage.


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