Treatment for Toothaches

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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