When a toothache occurs, it can be difficult to brush, eat,
or drink due to the pain. Tooth pain can be caused by many different things,
including a cavity, an infection or abscess, gingivitis, or even sinus pressure
(which can be mistaken for tooth pain). When the pain has become too much to
handle, your best available option is to call and schedule a dental appointment
as soon as possible. However, to treat any discomfort in the meantime, there
are a few pain relief remedies that can help you make it to your appointment.
OTC Medicine
While symptoms for toothaches and tooth pain can vary, over-the-counter
(OTC) medicine can help lessen tooth pain regardless of the cause while you
wait on a dental appointment. For instance, benzocaine, a topical anesthetic, can
be spread over aching teeth and sore gums, relieving pain and temporarily
soothing the affected area. The ointment’s numbing sensation can be used for
cavities, gum pain, or sinus-related pressure. According to the ADA, children
younger than two shouldn’t use benzocaine—instead, parents should use
temperature treatments like a warm compress to help their children.
Another largely OTC medicine includes nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can, in the short term, safely ease pain
from gum disease, cavities, or sinus pressure. NSAIDs reduce sharp tooth pain
while also helping to reduce inflammation, often caused by sinusitis, abscesses,
and gingivitis. Alternatively, inflammation can also be lessened with aspirin,
naproxen, or ibuprofen—something important to know because it’s recommended
that NSAIDs not be used for more than ten days without a doctor’s approval.
Unlike NSAIDs, which treat inflammation, acetaminophen is a
fever reducer and pain reliever that does not treat inflammation. Acetaminophen
is often a good short term treatment for cavities due of its pain-relieving
properties, and it also works well for any throbbing that can accompany
toothaches.
Home Remedies
While waiting on professional dental care, home remedies can
work in tandem with OTC pain relief medicine to help decrease tooth pain from
cavities, gum pain, and sinusitis. For sinus pressure, a hot shower can work
toward loosening mucus buildup and relieve pressure on the teeth. On the flip
side, a cold ice pack can help to numb the sensation of pressure on one’s upper
teeth.
If benzocaine is not immediately available, clove oil, a
numbing agent, can be used to relieve pain until your dental appointment. It
can be applied directly to inflamed gums or cavities to bring fast relief.
Remember, though, that numbing agents mask symptoms and are not alternatives
for treatment at your next dental appointment.
Long Term Relief
Pain relievers and home remedies work well for temporary
relief, but putting off professional treatment or not maintaining a proper oral
health routine only worsens an underlying condition. To help prevent toothaches
and tooth pain, brush twice daily and floss at least once a day. Antibacterial
rinse can also help prevent infections and abscesses while scheduling checkups twice
a year can potentially catch problems before they become painful.
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