Dental Care for All of Us

At some point in time, most people will have to deal with a toothache. To know how to treat a toothache beforehand can be helpful in minimizing time, effort and energy, not to mention the pain associated with an achy tooth. Here are five measures that you can take to lessen the pain of a toothache:

Take an anti-inflammatory painkiller

A toothache can be bothersome when it comes to eating or speaking, and it can even affect your sleep. Toothaches often occur when the pulp of a tooth becomes inflamed. The pulp, which contains the nerves and blood supply of the tooth, is extremely sensitive. You can take an anti-inflammatory painkiller, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin, to lessen discomfort. Use the recommended dosage printed on the package or the dosage recommended by your dentist to remedy the pain.

Apply a cold compress

Use a plastic bag with ice and put a rag or cloth over it. Do not put the ice directly on the tooth. The ice may cause a tooth to feel worse because it may be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.  Apply the ice pack directly to the cheek area that corresponds with the site of the toothache to keep down the swelling.

Numbing Gel

You can also alleviate the pain of a toothache by applying a numbing gel. The gel is normally applied directly to the gums around the achy tooth or to the tooth itself. The effects of the medication last for several hours. You will need to reapply as needed, but be sure not to exceed the recommended dosage.

Sea Salt and Water

To ease the pain of a toothache, you can rinse with sea salt and warm water. If it is a mild infection, the sea salt will help in killing the bacteria that's causing it.

Simply mix a spoonful of sea salt into a cup of warm water and stir until it dissolves. If no sea salt is available, regular table salt will suffice. Swish the mixture in your mouth. Concentrate on saturating the area that is the most painful. Repeat several times as needed.

Hydrogen Peroxide

To ease the pain of a toothache, you can rinse with hydrogen peroxide. You can use the solution at the full three-percent concentration or mix it with an equal amount of water to dilute it. Be sure not to swallow the hydrogen peroxide as you rinse. You can rinse repeatedly until the pain subsides.

 If the pain persists, see a dentist in your area like Port Orchard Dental Care Center.