The Do’s and Don’ts When Experiencing a Toothache

Toothaches are painful and disorienting, especially when you aren’t sure how to soothe one.

A bad toothache can quickly ruin your day. The throbbing sensation in your mouth and the inability to eat properly can make it totally impossible to focus or manage your everyday tasks. Varying from unimaginably painful to mild discomfort, toothaches come in many forms. Their underlying cause is also a big variable; they can stem from an easily treatable issue or a serious medical concern. While there are many remedies out there for a toothache, some are more useful than others. If you want effective toothache pain relief, you’ll need to be aware of the dos and don’ts.

What Causes a Toothache?

Before we can figure out how to get rid of a toothache, it’s really important to understand why your tooth is hurting in the first place. Tooth pain can stem from various causes, such as:

• Tooth decay: An untreated cavity can cause toothaches. When a cavity has badly eroded your enamel, it can expose nerve endings. This can be excruciating to deal with.
• Gum disease: If you have some sort of gum disease that has been neglected, it can cause inflammation and infection, which leads to toothaches.
• Cracked or broken teeth: Dental trauma or injuries can lead to cracked or broken teeth. An injured tooth will often have its pulp become irritated, which can be quite painful if not addressed.
• Dental abscesses: Dental abscesses are pockets of pus caused by infection; they can cause severe tooth pain and, if left untreated, can lead to a full-blown systemic infection.
• Teeth grinding (bruxism): Chronic bruxism can cause toothaches. The constant strain on your jaw and dental structure from the grinding will eventually damage your teeth and lead to a toothache.
• Sinus infections: Sinus infections can cause your upper row of teeth to hurt. The pressure from clogged sinuses puts a strain on your mouth.
• Sensitivity: Sensitivity is another common cause of a toothache and happens when your enamel has weakened. Pain from it is triggered by eating foods that are particularly hot or cold.
• Braces or Aligners: The earliest stages of treatment with braces or aligners can cause some toothaches due to your teeth adjusting. This is usually minor and goes away as the treatment progresses. If you’re asking yourself, “ How long does pain last with aligners or braces? ”, the answer is a few days to a week.

Sometimes the underlying cause is a simple and small concern, while causes like severe cavities or aggressive infections will usually require a dentist to take a look. Either way, the best pain relief for a toothache starts with knowing the cause.

The Do’s: What You Should Do for Toothache Pain Relief

Now, let’s look into how to stop a toothache. There are countless toothache remedies out there, so we’re going to give you some of the most effective and convenient ones. They are:

• A warm salt water rinse: A simple salt and water solution heated up is one of the oldest remedies for tooth pain. Just a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water, and you have an effective homemade disinfectant for your mouth. Gently rinse your mouth with this, and you’ll clean the area, reduce swelling, and dislodge any food particles that could be causing your toothache.
• Cold compress: If your toothache is caused by swelling or an injury, a cold compress is the way to go. Simply hold it against the affected area for fifteen to twenty minutes to numb it and reduce inflammation.
• Over-the-counter pain medication: If you’re looking for quick toothache pain relief, over-the-counter pain medication might be the right choice for you. Ibuprofen or Paracetamol tends to work well. Keep in mind that these painkillers won't fix the underlying cause of your toothache, but they can make it much easier to get through the day.
• Natural remedies: Natural remedies such as clove oil, peppermint tea bags, and garlic can also be effective and convenient. Clove oil and garlic both have anti-bacterial qualities, while peppermint tea bags can soothe sore gums.
• Maintain oral hygiene: While it can be painful to brush with an aching tooth, maintaining your oral hygiene while experiencing toothaches is important. A simple toothache can turn into a much more serious issue if bacteria are allowed to accumulate.
• Elevate your head when sleeping: Sleeping with an extra pillow under your head and maintaining elevation at night can help reduce blood pressure in a pained area. This can bring your tooth pain down a few notches, especially when you’re trying to get some sleep.
• Visit the dentist: Lastly, if your pain persists for a few days or worsens significantly, it’s time to drop the home remedies and head to a dentist. A dentist will accurately assess your symptoms and give you the best possible course of action to prevent your toothache from turning into a medical crisis.

The Don’ts: What to Avoid When You Have a Toothache

There are mistakes you can make that will worsen or prolong your toothache. We’re here to help you avoid that. Here's a breakdown of what you should steer clear of when you have a toothache:

• Don't put Aspirin on your tooth: Applying aspirin to your gums or teeth won't help with a toothache; it’s a total myth. It’ll likely burn the tissue and cause some serious pain; instead, just follow the proper dosage and swallow it if you want pain relief.
• Don't depend entirely on home remedies: While garlic, clove oil, and salt water are helpful, they won't get rid of a cavity or an infection. When experiencing persistent and worsening toothaches, it’s essential to go to a dentist.
• Don't consume very hot or cold foods: Damaged or inflamed teeth will hurt badly when exposed to intense temperatures. Stick to food that is lukewarm and soft to ensure that you aren't worsening your toothache.
• Don't try to remove food with a sharp object: You might be tempted to try and dislodge a piece of food with a needle or pin to stop irritation. More often than not, this will backfire and cause further damage to the teeth and gums; use dental floss instead.
• Don't ignore persistent pain: The worst thing you can do is to simply ignore it and wait for it to pass. The pain might fade for a while, but that does not mean that the underlying issue is gone. A systemic infection can spread silently and quickly.

Avoid these things so you don't turn a mild toothache into an expensive emergency dentist visit. Take your toothaches seriously and protect your oral health.

The Bottom Line On Toothache Pain Relief

A toothache might start as a minor inconvenience, but it can quickly become excruciating if neglected. The good news is that if you take the right measures and are aware of what to avoid, you can soothe your pain and prevent it from happening again.

You can use home remedies for some convenient relief, but in some cases, a dentist appointment is necessary so you can pinpoint the cause and treat it properly. Lastly, prevention is the best cure; taking care of your oral health is the best way to avoid toothaches. Try to ensure that you treat issues such as misalignment before they start to cause toothaches.