If you’ve suddenly developed a severe toothache, it’s natural to feel concerned. After all, there are several potential causes, and some are more urgent than others. It’s best to err on the side of caution and contact your emergency dentist to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Unfortunately, if your issue happened outside of normal business hours, you may have to wait to reach out.
Thankfully, there are things you can do to help alleviate your discomfort in the meantime. Continue reading to learn three at-home remedies that can potentially alleviate your ache while you wait!
Solution #1: Cold Compress
No one wants to sit around in agony until their dentist’s office reopens. If you must make it through the night on your own, applying a cold compress is an effective way to find some well-earned relief. Try wrapping an ice pack in a clean cloth and pressing it to the sore side of your face for 15 minutes at a time for a temporary numbing sensation.
You can also try holding ice water in your mouth for several seconds at a time for a more direct application. However, avoid biting or chewing the ice, as this can cause dental breaks and injuries that only exacerbate any discomfort.
Solution #2: Elevate Your Head
Have you noticed that the throbbing in your tooth grows worse the moment you try to go to bed? Many people experience dental problems in the evening when their dental office is closed but have difficulty sleeping with the pain. This is because blood pressure in your head increases when you’re in a horizontal position, placing extra force on your troublesome tooth.
One helpful way to get some rest is to elevate your head on a pile of pillows or blankets. This uplifted position keeps blood from pooling in your head, so you can drift off and get some much-needed rest.
Solution #3: Salt Water Rinse
There’s a good chance your toothache is caused by a common issue like a cavity, infection, or a stuck object. Fortunately, all of these issues can potentially be addressed with a simple salt water rinse. Try mixing ½ teaspoons of salt with a cup of warm water and swirling it around your mouth.
Doing so can potentially free anything that’s lodged between two pearly whites, if that’s the issue. Plus, it helps disinfect your mouth by killing and rinsing away unhealthy bacteria and other debris. It can also draw out fluid buildup to alleviate swelling and inflammation to help you feel much more comfortable.
Following these tips can help alleviate your ache until you can call your dentist when their office reopens!
About the Practice
At 21st Century Dental of Irving, you and your family benefit from a team of experts who are dedicated to helping you build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. They work together to offer a full array of services conveniently under one roof, and welcome people of all ages. They take the time to get to know your unique needs and concerns, then provide fully individualized treatment plans to meet them. They offer same-day emergency appointments and multiple forms of sedation so that if you’re in pain, you don’t have to wait for relief. If you have a toothache and need help, you can request an appointment on the website or call (972) 255-3712.