When it comes to your smile, the best offense is a good defense. Proper preventive care, like brushing and flossing twice daily, strengthens your teeth and gums to avoid common concerns like cavities, injuries, and periodontal problems.
However, there’s no guarantee that you won’t have a dental emergency, like a sudden or severe toothache, at some point despite proper dental hygiene. If your dentist’s office isn’t open and you have to wait to contact them, continue reading to learn 3 home remedies that can ease your discomfort!
Method #1: Apply Ice
Throbbing teeth can occur anytime, like at night or over the weekend when your provider’s office is closed. Thankfully, there are things you can do to soothe the ache if you have to wait to reach out.
For example, applying an ice pack or cold compress to the side of your face with the troublesome tooth can temporarily relieve the pain. The low temperature constricts your blood vessels to decrease blood flow and swelling, and slows nerve signals from your mouth to your brain to dull the sore sensation. If that doesn’t help much, you can try holding ice water in your mouth for several seconds at a time, as long as you don’t bite the ice cubes and damage your teeth.
Method #2: Rinse with Salt Water
Rinsing your mouth out with salt water can also help your tender teeth in a couple of different ways. Firstly, it can gently dislodge any food or other debris that might have become stuck between two teeth, which might be the culprit behind your aching tooth.
Not only that, but salt acts as a natural disinfectant and can also draw out excess fluid from swollen gums. That means it does double duty to clean your mouth while potentially addressing the underlying problem causing your discomfort.
Method #3: Place Peppermint Tea Bags
Many people are surprised to learn that placing black or peppermint tea bags on their tender teeth can also temporarily alleviate toothaches. The tannins contained in tea, which are responsible for giving them their bitter flavor and deep tone, also help reduce inflammation and tenderness. Furthermore, peppermint naturally contains menthol, which functions as a numbing agent.
You can try this method with a hot tea bag, but it’s best to wait until it has cooled enough so that it’s warm in your mouth and won’t burn. You can also place the tea bag in the freezer first for an extra soothing effect.
Following these tips can reduce your discomfort long enough to get some much-needed rest, then you can call your dentist as soon as the office opens!
Meet the Author
Dr. Rhiannon Presley understands how your oral health can affect your general well-being, and is passionate about enhancing your quality of life by improving your dental condition. She earned her dental degree from the Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry and is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the American Dental Association. She provides a comprehensive menu of services to people of all ages, including emergency dentistry, so you and your family receive the same top-quality care. Plus, she offers sedation so that you don’t have to wait for relief. If you’ve developed a toothache and need help, you can contact the office online or by calling (817) 242-5564.