When you’re suddenly struck with a toothache, floating ideas of home remedies may quickly come to mind. Whether you heard it from your great-aunt or saw it on Pinterest, at-home treatments are everywhere. Mason dentist, Dr. Lance can explain more about how to care for a toothache and when to come in for a visit.
Common Causes of Toothaches:
Common causes of toothaches are infections, cavities, damaged enamel, a cracked tooth or an exposed root – all good reasons to get yourself to the dentist! Home remedies for a toothache may work for immediate relief, but they’re not likely to last long, and they may not be completely safe.
If you like using household ingredients for personal care, you may look into your own pantry for something to relieve the pain, but do your research prior to use–and before things get too out of hand, call your dentist to prevent worse pain or problems.
What Are Common Home Remedies for a Toothache?
The best-case scenario is some pain relief with a simple ingredient or treatment. Be cautious as even relatively harmless ingredients might irritate other parts of your gums and tongue. The most commonly shared tips for treating a sore tooth at home are:
Alcohol: Either in the form of whiskey or vanilla extract, alcohol can clean and kill bacteria that cause pain. It can also numb the irritated tissue. Alcohol is commonly applied directly to the sore tooth or via a soaked cotton ball left on the spot.
Garlic: Can kill germs that cause pain and inflammation. Usually applied by chewing a raw head of garlic or mashing it up and applying to the spot in pain.
Saltwater: Saltwater can rinse away pain-causing junk on your teeth and gums and can ease inflammation of tissue. Swish and gargle water with pure salt a couple times per day and be sure to spit it out when you’re done.
Herbs: Peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, and cloves are popular disinfectants that may also numb the area in pain for a short while. Do not apply herbs in essential oil form directly to your mouth because they are too strong and will only hurt you more. Try swishing a small amount in your mouth with water, or put a damp tea bag right onto the affected area.
When Can You Treat a Dental Problem at Home—and When Should You See a Dentist?
Home remedies can sometimes help with minor dental discomfort, but it’s important to know their limits. Many natural remedies are best used as preventative measures or as temporary relief while you wait for a dental appointment. Once you have a true toothache, ongoing sensitivity, swelling, or other noticeable changes, there may be an underlying dental problem that needs professional treatment.
Pain is your body’s way of letting you know something isn’t right. While things like a warm saltwater rinse, cold compress, or over-the-counter pain reliever may temporarily make you feel better, they usually do not fix the source of the problem. Tooth decay, cracked teeth, infections, gum disease, and damaged fillings generally won’t heal on their own.
When You May Be Able to Monitor It at Home
Minor irritation can sometimes improve with a little extra care. For example, temporary gum tenderness after flossing, mild sensitivity after eating something very cold, or irritation caused by food stuck between the teeth may resolve once the area is cleaned and given time to settle down.
Continue brushing gently, floss carefully, rinse with warm salt water if needed, and pay attention to whether your symptoms are improving. If discomfort is mild, short-lived, and getting better rather than worse, it may be reasonable to monitor it for a short period.
Signs It’s Time to Call the Dentist
Some dental symptoms should not be ignored. Contact your dentist if you notice:
- A toothache that persists, returns, or becomes more intense
- Swelling in your gums, jaw, cheek, or face
- Bleeding that is unusual or does not stop
- A tooth that has become darker or changed color
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Significant sensitivity to hot or cold
- A cracked, chipped, loose, or broken tooth
- A lost or damaged filling or crown
- A bump, sore, or swollen area on the gums
- Persistent bad taste, drainage, or signs of infection
Swelling accompanied by fever, difficulty swallowing, trouble breathing, or rapidly increasing facial swelling can be especially serious and may require urgent medical or dental attention.
Don’t Wait Until the Pain Becomes Severe
One of the biggest mistakes patients can make is assuming that a dental problem will eventually go away on its own. In some cases, tooth pain may even temporarily disappear as the nerve inside the tooth becomes damaged. That does not necessarily mean the problem has resolved.
Treating dental issues early can often mean simpler, less invasive treatment. A small cavity may only require a filling, while untreated decay can eventually reach the nerve of the tooth and require a root canal or extraction. The same is true for cracked teeth, gum infections, and other dental concerns.
The goal isn’t simply to make the pain disappear—it’s to determine why the pain is happening and treat the cause before more damage occurs.
If you’re unsure whether a dental symptom is something you can monitor at home, Miami Valley Smiles is here to help. With convenient locations in Mason and Hamilton, our team can evaluate the problem, explain your options, and help you get back to feeling comfortable as quickly as possible.
