What to do about a Toothache

You wake up in the middle of the night to a throbbing sensation in your tooth. Tooth decay or an abscess usually causes this kind of pain. You will need to see a dentist as soon as possible to resolve the issue. But if you experience signs of a true dental emergency, contact your dentist right away.

Until you can get an appointment, you can try some of these home remedies to help ease some discomfort:

• Apply an over-the-counter oral analgesic ointment to temporarily numb the area.
• Look to see if food could be trapped between teeth and causing pressure. If so, dental floss can remove the irritant and you can rinse the area with warm water.
• Mix bay berry bark with vinegar and apply the paste to the aching tooth.
• Place a wet, black tea bag on your gums to relieve soreness; this may also help stop any bleeding.
• Crush a piece of garlic clove and place it on the affected tooth.  Garlic is a natural antiseptic and pain reliever.
• For pain in your gums, try applying an ice pack against the side of the face. Switch to heat if cold doesn’t help. Apply a hot compress and gargle with warm salt water.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but don’t choose aspirin. If you need to have a dental procedure done, aspirin can increase bleeding.
• Use cotton swab to put oil of cloves on the aching tooth every 20 minutes.

Do you live in Baltimore or the surrounding area? Our team is ready to help you achieve your smile goals. Schedule your appointment today.