Toothache and 3 ways to relieve it

A toothache can be caused by a variety of factors, including popcorn husks lodged in your gums, a cracked tooth, or a bacterial infection. Certain toothaches might be caused by temporarily irritated gums. However, we require dental treatment to alleviate the discomfort and whatever is causing the problem.

What is a toothache?

A toothache is a discomfort in or around the teeth and jaw that is mainly caused by dental caries. Mild toothaches are caused by little gingivitis, which you may treat at hơm. If you have had a toothache for more than one or two days, visit your dentist as soon as possible to have it treated, to prevent it from turning into a severe toothache. The longer you leave it, the worse it will get

Where it comes from?

The pulp within your tooth is a soft material consisting of nerves, tissues, and blood vessels. Bacteria can cause severe pain when they attack or infect these sensitive pulp nerves. Most toothaches are caused by:

Tooth decay – this leads to holes forming in the hard surface of the tooth.
Abscessed tooth – the core of the tooth is infected by bacteria.
A cracked tooth – the crack is often so micro that it can’t be seen with the naked eye.
Repeated dental work, such as chewing gum or clenching teeth – these repetitive motions can cause tooth decay
Gum infection.
A damaged filling.
Eruption (teeth coming out of the gums) or tooth removal (for example, wisdom teeth).

Symptoms:

Tooth pain that may be mild or severe. It may feel “sharp” and start suddenly. It can be worse at night, particularly when you’re lying down. A lost filling or broken tooth can sometimes start the pain.
Swelling around the tooth.
Fever or headache.
Foul-tasting drainage from the infected tooth.
A bad breath from the mouth.
If you struggle to breathe and swallow along with your pain, make an appointment with a dentist immediately

Toothache home treatment

Use lukewarm saltwater. Saltwater may help remove debris between your teeth, as well as function as a cleaner and pain relief. Prepare a glass of warm water with a 1/2 teaspoon of salt, then carefully rinse your mouth.
Rinse with hydrogen peroxide. A hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) helps to ease inflammation and pain. Dilute the hydrogen peroxide with water in proportion and rinse carefully. Avoid swallowing it.
Cold compress. Hold an ice bag to the painful area for 20 minutes and repeat several times daily.

Apply cod compress when having toothache — Apply cold compress when having toothache

Pain medications. Over-the-counter pain medications can reduce pain and inflammation. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®), and naproxen (Aleve®) can be used, or take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) if you can’t take NSAIDs. Don’t give a child under the age of 16 aspirin; use Tylenol instead.

Natural treatment

Clove oil. A natural antibacterial that reduces inflammation and relieves pain. Apply a tiny quantity of clove oil with a medical cotton pad to the hurting location.
Vanilla extract. Vanilla extract’s alcohol numbs soreness for a couple of hours and its antioxidants help the spot recover. Apply the extract to the tooth and gums with your fingertips or a cotton pad several times each day.
Peppermint tea. The calming effects of peppermint can be applied to sore areas with a cooled-down peppermint tea bag. Place a heated tea bag on your teeth and gums.
Garlic. Apply a crushed garlic clove paste to the aching area. Garlic may both kill bacteria and reduce pain (it contains the antibacterial allicin).

Treating toothache at the dental clinic

The type of treatment you have for toothache will depend on the cause of the pain, so your dentist will examine your mouth and may carry out an X-ray to try to identify the problem.

If tooth decay is causing the toothache, your dentist will remove the decayed area and fill the cavity.

A root canal treatment (a process to remove and replace the infected pulp with a hygienic substance) may be needed if the cause of the toothache is an infection of the tooth’s nerve.

An antibiotic may be prescribed in case of fever or swelling of the jaw.

Prevention

To avoid dental diseases, keep your teeth and gums as good as possible. As a result, you may perform the following:

Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Floss at least once a day.
See your dentist twice a year for cleaning.
Also, eat foods containing low amounts of glucose and ask your dentist about sealants and fluoride applications.

Q&A

Can toothache get better on its own?

Some toothaches that aren’t caused by pain within your tooth might go away on their own.

The ache from a temporary discomfort in the gum takes a few days to go away. Try not to chew around the affected spot at this time. Eat soft meals and avoid sugary foods and foods that are particularly hot or cold cause your teeth are sensitive.

Can a toothache make me sick, or even be fatal?

A true toothache is not dangerous to your life. An untreated infection in your tooth (or any other area of your body) can, however, spread. You may become unwell, and this disease may become serious or even fatal. If your situation is worsening, you should contact your dentist.

How can I stop the pain at night?

Brush, Floss, and Rinse With Warm Salt Water

Make sure there isn’t any debris surrounding the tooth that might be causing more discomfort. Begin by carefully flossing under the gum line on either side of the tooth. Brush the front and back surfaces of each tooth slightly, angling the toothbrush bristles toward the gum line. Finish by washing for 30 to 60 seconds in warm salt water to calm an irritable gum tissue.

Take an Over-the-Counter Painkiller

Until you can visit your dentist, you can also take an over-the-counter painkiller. Ibuprofen is frequently a wise choice, but you should avoid it if you also take a prescription blood thinner such as Warfarin. In this case, acetaminophen is an appropriate substitute.

However, children under two should never be given topical numbing gel (benzocaine).

Lift Up Your Head

Lying on a flat surface increases blood flow to the brain, which can aggravate tooth pain and throb. Try raising your head when sleeping to alleviate discomfort.

Use a Cold Compress

If you have any swelling, using an ice pack, or cold compress is the best choice. Hold the pack, which is covered in a thin towel, gently on the outside of your face for approximately 15 minutes. This will help slow down the speed of blood flow and relieve pain and inflammation. Repeat as required, but no more than once per hour.\

Finally, remember that even if the pain goes away, it’s crucial to have your teeth evaluated by an emergency dentist. You could still be struggling with that condition, and if left untreated, could go extremely seriously.

However, you can reduce any discomfort by using the medications recommended below until you can get professional care.

Why are toothaches so much worse at night?

When you lay down to sleep, more blood might circulate to your brain. There is more blood flow than there was while you were standing, which makes your teeth hurt more. This is because the increased blood flow is putting pressure on the painful tooth.

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