Ways to handle a sudden toothache

A toothache can be one of the most unbearable and nagging pains in the body. When it happens it can really lead to a stressful situation, since you are unable to work or sleep when your tooth is giving you trouble.

A moderate to severe toothache means you most certainly have to visit your dentist as soon as possible. But sometimes, doing so is not possible immediately since you may have to fix an appointment first, or find sufficient time in your schedule for a trip to the dentist.

What can one do in such times to relieve the toothache?

There are a few home remedies that can temporarily alleviate your tooth pain, so that you can at least get by until your dentist can diagnose it correctly and perform definitive treatment.

Let us look at how you can relieve a sudden toothache.

Take an Over-the-Counter(OTC) Pain Reliever

In case of a sudden toothache, taking an oral anti-inflammatory or analgesic pill may be your best bet to effectively reduce the pain as quickly as possible.

Oral pain medicines like Paracetamol or Ibuprofen are easily available as over-the-counter tablets. Ensure you follow the recommended dosage on the packaging, or ask your pharmacist for advice.

Please also note that these medicines are to be used for temporary relief and prolonged use can have a negative impact on your health.

Also, ensure that you’re not allergic to any such drugs before popping one.

Apply a Cold Pack or Compress

Applying a cold compress over the affected area of the jaw can also help alleviate the pain of a toothache. If you already have a cold compress in the freezer then you can use it. If not, then simply wrap a few ice cubes in a towel and gently apply it on the affected area.

You can use a cold compress for 15-20 minutes, with an interval of a couple of hours. Ensure you do not continuously keep the cold compress on your skin, as it may lead to further pain, or cause skin irritation due to the ice cubes.

Dental Ointments

Dental ointments are also available over-the-counter at pharmacies that can be applied over the affected tooth to soothe a toothache. These gels contain numbing agents that can give you temporary relief from a toothache.

Warm Salt Water Rinse

A simple salt and warm water rinse may also do wonders in relieving sudden toothaches. Salt water can act as an irrigant, and release food particles stuck in cavities. It also has antibacterial properties that can help soothe pain.

Clove Oil

Clove oil or eugenol is a known pain reliever that can be applied on the pain-causing tooth to help relieve a toothache. If using clove oil, simply soak a small cotton pellet with a little clove oil, and place it on the tooth. You can also place a slightly chewed whole clove near the tooth, or make a paste out of cloves and warm water and apply it on the tooth.

Toothaches can sometimes give you sleepless nights and take your mind off your work at the office. The above remedies can help you temporarily alleviate the pain, so that you can sleep at night or concentrate on your work.

But this does not make it a permanent solution to your toothache. Dental treatment alone can provide you with a definite solution to the toothache, so ensure you do not skip that visit to the dentist if you have a gnawing toothache.