Generally, toothaches are caused by cavities in the teeth or other oral infections that are not treated immediately. Once the infection and the permanent damage that accompanies it touch the nerve of the tooth, there will be unbearable pain. In addition to the two causes previously mentioned, pain can also be caused by cracked teeth, loose fillings (especially if other cavities have formed under the filling), and abscesses (infection of the gum line, which affects the health of the teeth).. If you're having trouble finding time to see a dentist, or if the pain is unbearable and needs immediate treatment, try the various methods listed in this article for temporary pain relief.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Relieve Pain with Medical Materials
Step 1. Take over-the-counter pain relievers at pharmacies
Supposedly, using over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen is the first step you take to relieve tooth pain. These drugs are not only able to temporarily relieve pain, but can also relieve swelling in the infected area. Don't worry, you can easily find these drugs in various pharmacies, really!
- If the ones experiencing toothache are children under the age of 18, don't give them aspirin! The drug is at risk of triggering Reye's syndrome in children and adolescents.
- Do not exceed the recommended dosage and understand possible allergic reactions or negative side effects, such as severe internal bleeding.
Step 2. Apply benzocaine daily to the painful area
Benzocaine is a gel that numbs the nerves in the teeth and gums, and can be purchased without a prescription at major pharmacies. Although the effect is temporary, at least the pain in the infected, inflamed, and/or overly sensitive tooth area can subside after using it.
- Naturally, the inside of your mouth is a wet place. The moisture is what makes benzocaine dissolve quickly and lose its effect. Therefore, to prolong the effect of benzocaine, try drying the painful area with a clean cloth before applying the gel.
- Over time, the benzocaine will dissolve and the effects will no longer be felt. To make the effect last longer, do not touch the numbed area with your tongue or fingers. Don't swallow the medicine if you don't want your throat to go numb too! In addition, observe the presence or absence of pain in the gum area or other negative side effects that accompany the method. If any unwanted problems arise, stop using them immediately!
Step 3. Gargle the painful area with hydrogen peroxide
This method is able to temporarily numb the nerves around your teeth, while also killing some of the infection-causing bacteria in your mouth. If possible, buy hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 3% from the nearest pharmacy, then dissolve it with water in a 1:1 ratio. After that, gargle with the solution until the pain in the mouth begins to subside.
- Discard the hydrogen peroxide after using it for gargling. Remember, hydrogen peroxide can be harmful to your health if you accidentally ingest it!
- If you wish, you can also gargle with hydrogen peroxide, after which you rinse the inside of your mouth several times with plain water. However, this method should only be used up to three times a day, and should not be applied for more than five days in a row, especially since hydrogen peroxide can increase tooth sensitivity.
Method 2 of 3: Relieve Pain with Natural Ingredients
Step 1. Pour a few drops of clove oil on the surface of the teeth
Clove oil is effective in killing bacteria and can eradicate some of the bacteria that infect cavities in the teeth. In addition, the eugenol content in clove oil can also numb the area around the teeth, especially because the substance has a function as a natural local anesthetic.
- Put clove oil on the surface of the teeth and gums that feel sore. If you'd like, you can also pour a few drops of clove oil on a clean, soft cloth and apply the cloth to the painful area.
- Clove oil can be purchased at various pharmacies and large supermarkets.
Step 2. Apply a mixture of ginger and cayenne pepper powder to the surface of the aching tooth
First, put the ginger and cayenne pepper powder in a 1:1 ratio in a bowl. Then, add a few drops of water and stir the solution until it forms a fairly thick paste. After that, dip a cotton swab (or the end of a clean, soft cloth) in the bowl, and apply the solution directly to the sore tooth. Like clove oil, this solution is also useful for numbing the nerves around the teeth and providing temporary pain relief.
- Ginger and cayenne pepper powder can be easily found on the spice rack in most major supermarkets.
- Do not use fresh or raw ginger to make the final solution smoother.
- The solution should be applied directly to the painful tooth to soothe the nerves around it. Be careful, if any cayenne pepper touches your gums or tongue, the soft and sensitive tissues in both areas can feel an extremely intense burning sensation.
Step 3. Gargle with salt water
Salt can clean the inside of the mouth and kill some of the bacteria that infect the teeth. In addition, salt is also able to relieve pain in the teeth and make the surrounding nerves numb temporarily. To make it, you just need to fill a glass with warm water, then pour 1 tsp. salt into it. Stir the salt until dissolved before using it for gargling. Once the salt has dissolved, gargle with the solution for 30-60 seconds. If the pain has not subsided after one gargle, repeat the process as often as necessary. Choose a water temperature that feels comfortable for you, yes!
Don't forget to throw away the water you use to rinse your mouth! Remember, ingesting too much salt is not good for your health
Method 3 of 3: Applying Products to Numb Teeth and Gums
Step 1. Compress the tooth with a small ice pack
This method will work effectively if the ice cubes are not directly applied to the teeth. Instead, put 3-4 ice cubes in a plastic bag. Then, wrap the bag with a soft cloth before applying it to the painful area. Repeat the process as often as needed.
If the position of the aching tooth is close to the front mouth area, please apply the ice pack directly to the base of the tooth. However, if your teeth are behind you, try placing an ice pack on the surface of your cheek closest to the area of the tooth
Step 2. Compress the sore tooth with a warm, wet tea bag
There's no need to brew a cup of tea just to practice this method! Most importantly, dampen the tea bag briefly before using it. If possible, use black tea that contains natural astringents, namely tannins. The content is effective in relieving pain and swelling around the infected tooth, you know!
- To wet a tea bag, you just need to dip a dry tea bag in warm water for 5 seconds.
- Compress the tooth for 10-15 minutes, or until the pain begins to subside. Don't use too much pressure, such as by biting into a tea bag.
Step 3. Place the chewed gum over the broken tooth
Although it won't numb the nerves around the tooth or relieve the pain that appears, at least this method is effective in preventing the tooth from getting broken, and also preventing the filling on the tooth from falling off. To do this, all you have to do is chew the gum on the side of the tooth that doesn't hurt and then move it over the broken tooth.
- If possible, choose sugar-free gum, especially since the sugar in regular gum can get into cavities in your teeth and speed up the decay process. That's why, choose sugar-free gum that should not harm your dental health.
- Don't chew food with broken teeth! Besides being very painful, this action will also further damage the condition of the teeth.
Warning
- Pain in the teeth will get worse quickly if not treated by a doctor!
- Don't rely on home remedies as a long-term solution to your problem. Although natural remedies can temporarily relieve tooth pain, it is still important to see a doctor for further treatment to speed up the tooth recovery process.
- Never take any medical action to treat your dental and oral problems at home!
