Getting rid of a toothache can be a difficult task, especially if the cause of the toothache is unknown. While it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible, there are some tips that can be used at home that may help to ease the pain and discomfort until an appointment can be made. Some of the best tips for getting rid of a toothache include controlling the temperature of foods and beverages, using heating pads or ice packs, or using natural pain relief methods such as clove oil.
A toothache often causes temperature sensitivity. If the tooth is sensitive to cold temperatures, it may help to sip on hot tea, soup, or broth. If the tooth is sensitive to hot temperatures, ice cream may help to soothe the discomfort. In some cases, the tooth may become sensitive to both hot and cold temperatures. If this is the case, lukewarm liquids may be the best option until a dentist can be consulted.
Placing a heating pad or an ice pack on the face near the affected tooth may help to ease the pain of a toothache. Either method can be effective, although each person may respond differently. It may take a bit of experimenting to determine which method works the best in an individual situation.
Over-the-counter pain relievers can be extremely beneficial in getting rid of a toothache. Medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen may help to reduce inflammation and swelling as well as provide pain relief. Acetaminophen may be used as well, although this type of pain reliever does not contain anti-inflammatory properties. Aspirin can be ground into a fine powder and mixed with just enough water to make a thick paste. This mixture can be applied directly to the affected tooth and surrounding gum tissues to provide additional pain relief.
Herbal treatments such as clove oil may be used for getting rid of a toothache. Clove oil is available at many drug stores, although the pharmacist may have to be asked to get it from behind the counter. In order to use clove oil for getting rid of a toothache, a cotton swab is dipped into the bottle of clove oil and then gently rubbed onto the sore tooth and surrounding tissues. This provides a numbing effect and can be repeated as necessary to provide pain relief. Care should be taken when using clove oil, as it takes only a small amount to numb the area.