It is always best to see a dentist for a toothache. However, should you be unable to do so, you’ll have to experience the discomfort temporarily. These tips can help you in the interim to overcome toothache with a dental appointment in view.

When to have a dental consultation for toothache

Normally, what anyone having a toothache wants is relief from the pain. But first, it’s apt to know the cause of the discomfort.

Do you have dental pain? It’s a pointer to get immediate help. Several conditions can bring about dental pain. This includes a fractured tooth, a tooth abscess, infected gums, a damaged filling, or tooth decay. Should you have any of these conditions and don’t get early treatment, complications such as tooth and surrounding bone loss will arise. Sometimes, bacteria infection can develop in other body parts, resulting in hospitalisation or something worse.

Get urgent treatment at once should you experience any of these signs of tooth abscess:

• Reddish and swollen gums
• Fever
• Bleeding or pus oozing from the gums
• A swollen, red bump in the mouth
• A mouth that tastes salty or unpleasant
• Swelling in the jaw or face
• Stabbing pain

Contact a dental hygienist in London should you be going through any of the above symptoms.

For oral pain triggered by a fractured tooth or cavity, the techniques below can fix your pain till you see a dentist.

10 methods to make a toothache disappear

Got a toothache that’s not a result of a severe underlying problem? Are you waiting for your dental appointment day? These methods can help alleviate oral pain:

• Use a cold compress:

  Generally, you can either prevent inflammation or the signal from a toothache to reach the brain – the two ways to stop oral pain. For inflammation, gently press a cold pack against your face for 20 minutes per time. As a buffer, use a piece of cloth, so you don’t harm your skin. Doing this will lower the swelling and pain.

• Anti-inflammatory medication to control your toothache:

  Swelling and dental pain can come under control with medication like ibuprofen that fights inflammation. Should you use ibuprofen, keep taking it every few hours following the instructions. Don’t take the medication once and discontinue when the pain disappears; else, the discomfort will recur. Alternatively, you can take acetaminophen. This med is not anti-inflammatory, but it relieves pain.

• Use a salt-water rinse to ease pain of toothache:

  Infections can get cleaned, and temporary relief from oral pain achieved using warm salt water to rinse your mouth. This can lower inflammation and treat mouth wounds. Avoid swallowing the salt-water during rinsing.

• Give acupressure a try:

  By triggering the release of endorphins from the body, a toothache can be relieved using acupressure, says some research. Certain focal points in the body are said to be linked with dental pain. Want to try this technique? Consult reliable online sources for proper guidance.

• Apply peppermint tea bags:

  These are said to be safe and provide temporary relief from oral pain. For many persons, applying the tea bag cold is good. But you can still apply a warm tea bag to your inflamed jaw and allow it to get cool. The sensation is pleasurable and can make you forget your tooth pain.

• Try garlic:

  Known for having medicinal properties, garlic destroys harmful bacteria and can work to relieve pain. For application, crush a clove of garlic, make it into a paste, and apply it to the pain area. Or, you can chew a clove of garlic and spit it out later.

• Make use of guava mouthwash:

  The leaves of guava contain anti-inflammatory properties and antimicrobial characteristics that are good for oral pain relief and mouth pain sterilisation. It’s either you chew on guava leaves or boil crushed leaves to prepare a mouthwash.

• Apply clove oil:

  Having been in use for ages, clove oil can lower inflammation and stop tooth pain. This substance contains a natural antiseptic called eugenol capable of sterilising oral wounds. For toothache treatment, pour a little clove oil on a clean ball of cotton and rub it against the painful area. If the oil seems too powerful, dilute it with a carrier oil or very little water.

• Give home-made thyme wash a try:

  A mixture of water and a few drops of thyme essential oil will make a mouthwash for toothache. Thyme is packed with antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Dab the affected area with a cotton ball containing thyme mouthwash. It works!

• Administer a hot pack:

  Applying a hot pack to your swollen jaw can reduce pain. For a home-made hot pack, fill a sock (make sure it’s clean) with rice, tie one end, and heat it in a microwave for some minutes. This method will stop pain signals from your mouth to get to your brain.

Your look-out at the dentist’s

During your dental appointment for toothache, the dentist will go through your medical history and examine your teeth, gums, and the entire mouth. They will ask you questions about the current tooth pain: when it started, how serious it is, where in your mouth you feel pain, etc.

Following the results of X-rays and other diagnostic tests, the dentist will recommend the best possible treatment. Sometimes they may give you pain medication while you wait for treatment.

How to avoid the pain of toothache

You should maintain some good hygiene habits to avoid tooth pain. 1) Brush and floss regularly, 2) Eat healthy foods, 3) Avoid sticky or sugary foods and drinks and 4) Don’t chew on ice or hard substances. You can visit a dentalhygienist to book your appointment for regular dental check-ups and professional teeth cleaning.