Whether they take place in children or adults, toothaches are often very painful and can be signs of several different oral issues. If left untreated, they can lead to even more significant problems in many cases. At the offices of Grant Dental, we’re always available to handle emergency dental care needs like sudden toothaches. And whether it’s just for the ride over to our offices or while you or another toothache sufferer waits for transportation, we can also offer some basic tips on relieving what can be very strong pain temporarily until our dentist can see you. In this two-part blog, we’ll go over several of these – starting with the symptoms that signal a toothache.
Toothache Symptoms
- Sharp pain in the tooth, almost as if someone is stabbing the area with something sharp.
- Possible throbbing, often mirroring your heartbeat.
- Irritated gums and inflammation around the tooth area.
- General mouth pain that can’t be easily defined.
Ice or Other Cold Compress
The easiest and often simplest way to limit toothache pain temporarily is through the use of ice or some other cold compress. This can be used on either the inside or outside of the mouth, on the side where the affected tooth sits.
Salt and Hot Water
Another very common method for relieving toothaches or several other kinds of pain in the mouth is using a combination of warm water and salt, which is easy to make using ingredients everyone has in the kitchen. This combination helps draw out gum fluid that may be leading to irritation and inflammation, reducing the aching you feel in the mouth. Rinsing and gargling repeatedly can be a big help.
Alcohol
This one obviously will be off-limits for children or anyone under legal drinking age, but swishing a little alcohol around in the mouth can also do wonders for relieving toothache pain. Several kinds will do the trick, from scotch or whiskey to vodka or brandy. These forms of alcohol will directly kill germs present, plus help numb the area that’s in pain. You don’t even necessarily need to take a full sip of alcohol – a cotton ball soaked in it will usually be enough to do the job.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Another common household item is hydrogen peroxide, which is usually found in the bathroom or First Aid kit. It’s commonly used for several applications, and can be diluted with water and used in a similar gargling format as salt and warm water. You can also use pure hydrogen peroxide if you don’t mind the taste. For more on how you can temporarily relieve toothache pain for yourself or someone else until you’re able to see the dentist, or to learn about any of our family dentist services, speak to the staff at the offices of Scott W. Grant, DMD Family and Cosmetic Dentistry today.
