Are you in need of toothache relief? Feel free to read about some of the ways you can get rid of a toothache as quickly as possible.
Toothaches account for
1 out of 10 people who experience pain. There is a range of reasons why you might encounter a toothache: injury, cavities, chips, cracks, or crowding.
Having a toothache is a huge distraction and may prevent you from eating, drinking, speaking, and even sleeping. Thankfully there are ways to get toothache relief, including ones you can do from the comfort of your own home.
If you're experiencing tooth pain, here are some toothache relief tips from an emergency dentist in Brewster, NY.
Saltwater Rinse
A
saltwater rinse may help alleviate the pain from a toothache. Combine half a teaspoon of saltwater with warm water and swish in your mouth for a minute. The warm water soothes your ache while the salt disinfects and dislodges any food particles that may cause your toothache.
Be careful not to swallow the saltwater and spit it out after a minute.
Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse
Hydrogen peroxide is another choice for tooth pain. Be sure to dilute the hydrogen peroxide in water with equal parts and swish for a minute, and don't swallow. Hydrogen peroxide is great for killing bacteria, but also reducing swelling.
Cold Compress
Ice has the ability to reduce swelling and numb tooth pain. Make a cold compress or use an ice pack, especially at the start of the pain as this reduces the swelling as soon as possible. Use the compress as often as needed for 20 minutes at a time.
Oral Ointments
Oral pain-relieving ointments are available over-the-counter. They're usually a gel-like product that you apply at the site of pain which acts as a numbing agent. They work for a while but wear off quickly so you'll need to reapply when you feel the pain resurfacing.
Over-the-Counter Pain Medications
Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen can temporarily relieve tooth pain. Be sure to follow the directions on the bottle and only take what's recommended. Give acetaminophen to children because it's the safest.
Emergency Dentist
If these at-home remedies don't work, you should call your emergency dentist in Brewster, NY.
Emergency dentist services cater to lingering toothaches, especially ones with no clear cause. Calling a dentist is the best course of action when you've had a toothache for several days with no relief.
Garlic
Garlic has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. While it cannot be substituted for real antibiotics, it may help reduce the pain that stems from a toothache.
You'll want to crush a clove of garlic to create a paste, and then apply it to the site of the pain.
Peppermint Tea Bags
Peppermint acts as a cooling agent on the pain, numbing it for a time. You shouldn't apply real peppermint on your gums or tooth, but you can use peppermint tea bags.
Never use a hot tea bag on your gums. Wait until the tea bag cools and it's warmer.
Vanilla
There's alcohol in vanilla extract and it will numb the pain. Be sure to use real vanilla and not imitation vanilla. Dab on a drop or two throughout the day when you start to feel pain.
Avoiding Toothache
While injuries and accidents happen, there are some ways for you to avoid toothaches. Here are some important tips.
Have excellent oral hygiene like brushing and flossing twice a day. Visit your dentist twice a year to catch dental problems before they progress.
Stay away from hard foods and candies that may cause tooth breakage.
If you play sports, wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth.
When to Seek Help
These tooth-pain remedies may help your toothache to go away, but you should always follow up with your dentist. Sometimes, these remedies can hold you over until your dentist appointment.
However, there are times when you should seek a dentist right away. Here's how you know if you need to call an emergency dentist.
You have excessive swelling that doesn't go down with ice. Swelling indicates infection or even an abscess.
Bleeding that doesn't stop needs treatment as soon as possible, or pain while chewing.
Any sign of pus or strange taste in your mouth indicates a
visit to the dentist is needed.
If you happen to run a fever with tooth pain this could be a sign of an infection as well. Difficulty swallowing accompanied by tooth pain should also need treatment.
If there's any other pain that's bothersome to you or you think needs attention, don't hesitate to call your dentist.
What Your Emergency Dentist In Brewster, NY Will Do
When you're finally able to see your emergency dentist, they'll do an examination which may include the following procedures.
They'll look at your teeth and may take x-rays if they cannot find a clear source for your pain. Once they find what's causing the pain, they'll move forward with treatment so you can be pain-free.
Sometimes cavities cause tooth pain. If this is the case, the dentist removes the cavity and fills it, or gives you a new filling if the old one is causing the pain.
If you have an infection, like an abscess, they'll prescribe some antibiotics.
Sometimes the problem with your tooth is clear, like a chip or crack. In this case, they may be able to repair the tooth the same day using material that restores your tooth.
In very severe cases, decay or damage may be too great to save the tooth. Tooth extraction may be the best way to remedy the pain and stop the decay from spreading. Your dentist will walk you through the steps of extraction to help you understand why it's needed before they pull your tooth.
Find Toothache Relief With an Emergency Dentist in Brewster, NY
Toothache relief is possible for a while using these at-home remedies, but any toothache should always be properly handled by a dentist. Call your emergency dentist in Brewster, NY when you have a toothache to get real relief.
Do you need to see a dentist due to a toothache? Contact our office today to get
your appointment scheduled.
