A painful toothache can cause your day to come to a halt. It's hard to get anything done when all you are focusing on is the throbbing pain in your mouth. Until you are able to visit a dentist to get to the bottom of what's wrong, try these 5 ways to soothe a toothache.
Salt Water Rinse
An easy way to treat your toothache is by rinsing your mouth out with some salt water. It will help clean away the bacteria in your mouth, reduce any swelling you are experiencing, and relieve the pain. All you need to do is dissolve 1 tsp. of salt into 1 cup of warm water. Swish it in your mouth for about 30 seconds, and repeat the process throughout the day as necessary.
Ice
Ice works by numbing the nerves in your mouth, so try placing ice packs on your cheek throughout the day. Leave an ice pack on for about 15-20 minutes, and give yourself a break if you feel it is getting too cold.
Clove Oil
The anesthetic properties of clove oil also help numb the nerves in your mouth. You can use a cotton swab to apply a couple drops of clove oil to the tooth that is hurting you. Hold the cotton swab against the painful tooth, and do not swallow any oil in the process.
Tea Bags
Tea may do a great job at warming you up when it's cold, but it also can help soothe a toothache. This is because the tannins found in the tea can help reduce pain or swelling in your gums. Soak a tea bag in warm water, and place it directly against the aching tooth for about 10-15 minutes.
Cayenne and Ginger Paste
Some common items in your kitchen's spice rack can help provide some pain relief. Simply combine 1 part ginger and 1 part cayenne into a bowl, and add a small amount of water until it turns into a paste. Use a cotton swab to dip into the paste, and then apply it directly to the tooth. Keep the cotton swab there for 5-10 minutes for the spices to take effect and reduce the pain.
Hopefully, these tips should help make your toothache feel better until you are able to see your dentist. Even if the pain goes away the problem may still be there. Be sure to have your tooth inspected (by a professional such as Scott W. Murphy, D.M.D., P.A.) for a potential problem.
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