Dentist: Temporary Solutions To Toothaches

Toothaches can be hard to deal with, which is why home remedies are often necessary, at least until you can see a dentist. Spending days or even weeks in pain can make it hard to focus on work or school, and is obviously not fun. Therefore, you should learn a few ways to curb the pain until you can see a dental professional.

One tip you might not know is that it sometimes feels better to put pressure on the sore area. Of course, in some cases, it makes the problem worse, but you will not know until you try, and this is known as one of the easiest ways to temporarily relieve discomfort. You should try lying down on the side where the toothache is, pressing the side of your face into a pillow. You can also massage the area with your fingers, or even just brush your teeth and gums for a few minutes. This should increase circulation to the area, which often feels good.

If this does not work for you, or it only helps a little, you can try putting a hot or cold compress on the area. Sometimes one works better than the other, while some people have better luck when alternating cold and hot compresses. You can use an ice pack or even just a bag of ice, which you can wrap in a towel and apply to your face over the affected tooth for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time. This should numb the area for a while so you do not feel any aches. If you prefer to use heat, you can put hot water on a washcloth and wring it out, as it will likely cool off fast enough for it to be merely warm when you use it. The result is relaxed muscles, helping the area feel better.

You can also use medication, either specifically for toothaches or just pain in general. You can call your dentist to find out the best medication to use, especially if you are pregnant or are treating a young child. However, in most cases, acetaminophen works best, which most people have at home for headaches, muscle aches, and toothaches. If this does not work well enough, you can apply a numbing gel to your gums, as this provides some relief, however temporary. Even baby teething gel works, which you might have if you have a teething infant. Of course, this also works for children with toothaches.

These are just temporary measures to use until you see your dentist, so do not plan to use these for too long. Even if the aches seem to go away after a few days, you should see a dental practitioner soon so you can get the issue diagnosed. Otherwise, the problem could get worse, going from a minor issue to something more serious, requiring expensive, complex treatment. Though these treatments are usually safe, you are still advised to call your dentist before using any of them if you have any concerns or possible complications.