Whether you have a toothache, sensitive teeth, painful gums, or another type of oral pain, it can be annoying at best and fairly debilitating at its worst. Whether your tooth pain is mild or severe, pain is usually an indication of a health problem. No matter what, you should schedule an appointment with a dentist right away if you’re experiencing any kind of tooth pain.

Depending on the time of day, you might not be able to get in to see your dentist immediately, unless your tooth pain is an indication of a dental emergency. While you wait for your appointment, however, you can still find some relief with a few simple home remedies.

5 Home Remedies to Relieve Tooth Pain While You Wait for Your Dental Exam

1. Over-the-Counter Anesthetic

Over-the-counter topical gels containing a pain reliever called benzocaine can provide immediate relief from a toothache. These gels are easy to use, as they are simply applied topically to the area where you are experiencing pain.

One of the most popular brands of topical benzocaine that is safe for oral use is Orajel. However, your local pharmacist can help you choose the topical anesthetic that is best for you.

2. Warm Salt Water Rinse

Depending on the cause of your tooth pain, rinsing with warm salt water can soothe your pain and provide some immediate relief. This remedy is especially effective if a bacterial infection is responsible for your pain. The salt will help to combat the infection while also helping to relieve any inflammation inside your mouth.

Just be careful not to swallow the saltwater, as this can cause stomach upset and other health issues – especially for individuals with cardiovascular health concerns.

3. Clove Oil

If you have clove oil in your home, you can apply a small drop topically to your gums to relieve pain. Cloves contain natural numbing agents that can help to ease oral pain. Be careful not to use too much because excessive amounts of this oil could also burn your soft tissues. If you don’t have clove oil, sucking on a whole clove (for baking) can also help numb the area.

4. Cold Compress

Oral pain is often accompanied by swelling (inflammation). Applying a cold compress to the outside of your face or cheek over the painful area can help to reduce swelling and relieve pain. If you do have any noticeable swelling, you should also try to keep your head elevated which will help to prevent any additional fluid from gathering in the affected area.

5. Over the Counter Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications that can be purchased over the counter such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce swelling and provide a great deal of relief from all kinds of tooth pain.

Be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle, being careful not to take more than the recommended dose. Also, be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if it’s safe to take these over-the-counter medications with any prescription medications you are currently on.

Tooth Pain Causes: Why It’s Essential to See a Dentist

Several different dental health problems could be to blame for your tooth pain, and these range from serious to mild. Tooth pain causes include oral health concerns such as:

  • Receding gums
  • Worn tooth enamel
  • Tooth sensitivity
  • Tooth decay
  • Cavities (dental caries)
  • Infections and abscesses
  • Periodontal disease
  • Broken teeth
  • Trauma or injury
  • Oral cancer

Tooth pain treatments vary greatly depending on the underlying cause of the pain. Sometimes a simple professional fluoride treatment can adequately resolve a patient’s pain. In other cases, antibiotics, a dental filling, root canal, or other restorative dental treatment might be necessary.

As a result, in order to effectively address your tooth pain, it’s essential to first diagnose the cause of the pain. To do this, a dentist must examine your teeth and gums and possibly take a set of dental x-rays as well to evaluate the structures hidden inside your teeth and below the gum line.

Treatments for Tooth Pain at Dentistry of West Bend

Dr. Jared Harding at Dentistry of West Bend is highly experienced and skilled in treating all kinds of cases of tooth pain. If you have been suffering from a toothache or another type of oral pain, we encourage you to schedule an examination right away.

Dr. Harding can first take steps to address your symptoms and provide you with complete relief from your tooth pain before examining your teeth and gums. Once he has determined the underlying cause of the tooth pain, he can then recommend a variety of treatment options designed to resolve the problem and provide you with permanent relief from your tooth pain.

To learn more about tooth pain or to schedule a dental exam at Dentistry of West Bend, we welcome you to contact our office today!