How to Stop a Toothache?

Toothaches have often been proven to be one of the most painful experiences humans can endure. It is always advised to see a dentist when suffering from a toothache immediately. Still, there may be times when it may not be possible to get to your dentist right away. In such cases, there are ways to temporarily stop or reduce toothache until you can get professional advice and get the root cause of your dental problem treated.

While patients often focus on just how to get rid of their toothache, it can also be helpful to understand how the pain from a tooth can be so debilitating and what are the leading causes behind it. A toothache is generally meant to signify that something is not right with the tooth, and there’s a dental problem that needs immediate attention.

Causes for Toothache:

Inflammation of Pulp: When there is an injury or infection in any part of the body, the tissue around it swells due to inflammation, which is the body’s natural response to trauma and infections. When there is an infection in the tooth due to cavities that reach the inner pulp, the hard tissues of the tooth cannot expand. This leads to excruciating pain since the inflammation usually continues, but the hard enamel of the tooth restricts the swelling.

Fractured Tooth: A tooth may be fractured due to trauma or biting down onto something hard. Pain due to a broken tooth usually only occurs when the crack is deep enough to reach the pulp or the pulp is exposed due to a missing portion of the tooth.

Sensitive Teeth: Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures can often manifest as a toothache. Sensitivity usually occurs due to exposure of the dentin, which in turn, can occur due to tooth grinding and clenching habits, acid erosion, or getting certain kinds of dental work done. Gum recession can expose the root surface and also lead to root sensitivity.

Gum Disease: Gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis can lead to toothache as well. Periodontitis, especially, requires prolonged treatment measures for the complete resolution of the disease.

How to Treat Toothache:

Painkillers like Acetaminophen, Paracetamol, or Ibuprofen can be very helpful with a toothache. Anti-inflammatory medication like Ibuprofen, in particular, can help reduce swelling as well if there is any.
Another thing that can reduce toothache by reducing inflammation is the application of cold compress for 20 minutes at a time on the face in the region of the toothache. Make sure to use a light barrier between the ice pack and the skin to avoid any damage to the skin.
Saltwater rinses provide temporary relief against swelling and painful inflammation, especially when the pain is gum-associated.
People with intense toothache may feel an increase in pain upon lying down. This is due to a rise in the blood flow in the tooth that increases inflammation and discomfort. Keeping the head elevated with the help of pillows can reduce blood flow and, in turn, the toothache.
Clove oil has proven to provide relief from pain and swelling associated with a toothache. Clove oil contains eugenol, which is considered to be a natural anesthetic. A cotton ball soaked in the oil can be applied on the affected area to provide temporary pain relief.

Toothache that has subsided should never be ignored. While the methods mentioned above can successfully provide relief, the effects are only temporary. Patients should see a dentist as soon as possible and not put it off in exchange for temporary pain relief methods.