The Top 5 most practical toothache remedies

Its midday on Saturday and you are away from home.  Suddenly your tooth starts to hurt.  What do you do?  Call your Dentist?  Go to the Emergency Room?  Tough it out and wait until Monday?  These are all options, but in our experience, most people decide to tough it out and wait until Monday to visit their dentist. 

So what can you do?  This article explains the 5 most practical toothache remedies that you can implement until you can see your dentist.

Toothache Remedy #1

Take pain medication if the pain is moderate to severe.  One of the best toothache remedies for toothache pain relief is Ibuprofen, also known as Advil or Motrin.  Clinical studies show that Ibuprofen is more effective than narcotic pain medications for alleviating moderate to severe dental pain.  Aspirin is also very effective.  Acetaminophen or Tylenol comes in third place.  As with all medications, you need to know if you can safely take them based on your individual medical circumstances.

Toothache Remedy #2

Thoroughly clean the affected area by carefully brushing, flossing, and rinsing with Listerine.  Good oral hygiene disinfects the area and keeps infection away.  Use warm water when brushing and rinsing.  If it is uncomfortable to do this, do the best you can.  Using a warm salt water rinse 3-4 times a day will soothe the area and help keep germs at bay.

Toothache Remedy #3

Avoid chewing on the affected side of your mouth.  Chew softer foods.  Avoid hard crunchy foods.  Drink plenty of fluids.  Cold fluids are often uncomfortable.  Warm fluids often make the affected area feel better and will offer you toothache relief.

Toothache Remedy #4

Plan ahead and manage the Pain.  Pain medications are very effective at alleviating dental pain but wear off in 4-6 hours. Don’t let them off of your system.  Plan on taking your next dosage a couple hours before the previous dosage wears off.  Take just after waking in the morning and just before bedtime.  This will keep a steady stream of pain relieving medication in your body and will keep you from experiencing pain later in the day. 

Toothache Remedy #5

Call your Doctor and try to take it easy.  Even if your dental tooth pain starts on the weekend or during vacation, you should call your Dentist’s office and inform them that you need their help.  At a minimum, leave a message.  Let them know you will be calling first thing on Monday morning to set up an emergency dental appointment.  This gives them a “heads up” and they can start adjusting their schedule to help meet your needs.  Also, try to take it easy.  Don’t overdo it and be sure to get plenty of sleep.

Dental toothache pain is never on anyone’s Top Ten List of fun things to experience.  I hope you will never need this list of toothache remedies, but if you do, they are sure to help.  

If you are experiencing toothache pain and need to schedule an emergency dental appointment, give us a call at Thomas L. Anderson and Associates and we’ll get you take care of as quickly as possible. We havethree convenient locations in the Kansas City area and are accepting new patients. Our expert team looks forward to welcoming you and your family to your new dental home.