While all toothaches should be taken seriously, any pain that lasts longer than 24 hours is considered a dental emergency. If you find yourself suffering from this type of discomfort, schedule an urgent appointment with your emergency dentist. To relieve pain naturally while you wait, here are five tried-and-true home remedies that may help.
Rinse With Saltwater
Saltwater acts as a natural disinfectant and can gently loosen food particles and debris from your teeth if they are either too sensitive or you’ve been instructed to not brush them. It can also help reduce inflammation. Mix a half teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and gently swish it around in your mouth. Spit it out, and then rinse your mouth again with warm fresh water if you’d like.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract isn’t just for making cookies and cakes! It also acts as an all-natural numbing agent. To use, just dab a bit on a cotton ball or Q-Tip and tap it gently on the painful area inside your mouth. Reapply as necessary.
Garlic
In addition to being the star ingredient in garlic bread, it can also fight bacteria and relieve pain, too. To use it to treat your toothache, apply either a mashed clove, garlic oil, or chew on a whole clove if your teeth aren’t in too much pain to do so comfortably.
Tea Bags
Tea bags are the perfect size and consistency to use as a cold or a warm compress after brewing. To do this, warm a cup of tea as usual and let the bag cool down a bit before putting it in your mouth. To use it as a cold compress, once brewed remove it from the water and put it in the freezer for about five minutes.
When you are done, rinse your mouth out well with water, as the tea leaves can stain your teeth.
Sleeping Upright
If you cannot get in to see your emergency dentist on the same day that you call, you may need to sleep before your appointment. Unfortunately, when you sleep flat on your back, you put pressure on your head. This could make your toothache pain worse, so try sleeping with your head elevated instead.
Remember, if you are having tooth pain that lasts more than 24 hours, schedule an emergency dental appointment as soon as possible, and try these useful home remedies to get some much-needed relief while you wait to be seen.
About Our Practice
At Corcoran Privitera Family Dental, we know toothaches don’t always have good timing. That’s why we offer emergency dental services and same-day appointments. If you are suffering from pain that lasts more than 24 hours, don’t delay. Call us at 740-835-4698 in Waverly or 937-587-3903 in Peebles, or visit our website to schedule online.