Toothache is the kind of pain you can't ignore, and nor should you. Any kind of dental pain can be a sign of a serious problem, even if it's only brief or temporary, so you should consider visiting a dentist for a check-up no matter what kind of mouth pain you're in. However, a toothache can also be difficult to soothe on your own. If you're struggling to hold it at bay while you're waiting for your dental appointment, here are some tips for managing the pain.
Ice
Holding ice against the affected area of your mouth can create a numbing effect and reduce inflammation. However, it's also believed that just holding ice in the palm of your hand can reduce the sensation of pain felt elsewhere in the body. It may not work for every patient, but it's certainly worth trying. Regular ice cubes wrapped up in a cloth will work if you don't have dedicated icepacks.
Painkillers
Both paracetamol and over-the-counter NSAIDs are suitable for toothache pain relief. For children, dentists tend to recommend paracetamol as the best option; adults can take a suitable dose of either kind. It is sometimes said that the NSAID aspirin helps with toothache if applied directly to the affected area of the mouth, but this is not the case. This can exacerbate existing problems, so you should only take your aspirin as directed.
Rinses
Rinsing your mouth out with a home-brewed saline solution or a hydrogen peroxide rinse can help clear debris away from the affected area and reduce the risk of worsening. It may also wash away irritants. It's important not to swallow these rinses; they are to be swilled around the mouth and then spat immediately back out into the sink.
Avoid Irritants
While you're still struggling with toothache, you can alter your diet to reduce the chance of further inflaming the issue. For example, you could quit smoking cigarettes for a few days or limit your sugar intake—including natural sugars such as those found in fruit.
In general, however, you should try to avoid managing the problem by yourself for long periods; it is much preferable to bring the problem to a specialist so that it can be dealt with properly. Once they've taken a look, they may also determine that you need stronger painkillers, and they'll be the first step along the road to securing those.
Contact a local office like Queen Street Dental for more information.
Share28 July 2022
Miranda Raff here. My brother is a stressed-out dental student, so I'm starting this blog on his behalf. I work in a travel agency and my brother is mortified by the number of dental tourism stories I bring home. I book short holidays for people who seem as though they are going to enjoy some relaxation in an exotic country, only to learn that they plan to have cheap dental procedures. Whilst there are good dentists in developing countries, according to my brother, the complex procedures these people plan to have simply can't be finished in such a limited time. This blog is an attempt to inform you about the high skill levels and advanced technology found in Australian dental surgeries. New techniques are being developed every year and Australian dentists are at the forefront of offering these solutions. I really hope this blog helps you to appreciate our dentists.
