First, we want to say that you should never ignore a toothache. Please call our office at the first twinge of dental pain so we can find the source of the problem as soon as possible.
Here’s until you’re able to see one of our emergency dentists.
Floss to Remove Any Trapped Food Particles
While it may sound weird, flossing can sometimes relieve a mild toothache. The reason being that sometimes small pieces of food get caught between teeth.
If you dislodge a piece of food that’s been stuck for a while, your gums may bleed a little. This is normal. Seek urgent dental care if your toothache persists or worsens.
Rinse Your Mouth with Warm, Salty Water
Swish with warm, salty water to loosen any small pieces of food caught between your teeth. Saltwater rinse can also help disinfect and heal wounds in your mouth.
To make a salt water rinse, mix 1/2 teaspoon salt with a glass of warm water. You’ll then want to swish the mixture around in your mouth and spit it out when you’re done. Don’t swallow it.
Apply a Cold Compress to Your Cheek
Holding a cold compress up to your cheek can help you numb a . The coldness of the compact makes the blood vessels underneath constrict. With less blood circulation, you’ll experience less dental pain.
If you don’t have a cold compress, a frozen bag of peas or corn works in a pinch. If you’re using frozen vegetables, wrap a kitchen towel around the bag to protect your skin.
You should also never apply a cold compress for more than 15 to 20 minutes.
Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
It’s best that you don’t take over-the-counter pain relievers for an extended period of time. Yet, they can help you for a few days until you’re able to see one of our emergency dentists. If you’re unsure what medications to use, call our office. We’ll be more than happy to help you choose the right options.
Save Your Used Peppermint Tea Bags
Apply a wet, used peppermint tea bag right next to the tooth that hurts. (The tea bag should only be a little warm, not hot.) Over the course of 20 minutes, the peppermint will help numb and soothe your tooth.
Elevate Your Head While You Sleep
It can be hard falling asleep when you’re dealing with a toothache. In addition to our other tips in this blog post, we recommend that you sleep while keeping your head elevated.
You can do this pretty easily by propping your head up on extra pillows. This will help prevent your blood from rushing to your head.
If you lie down, the blood can pool in your head and worsen your toothache, keeping you awake.
Call Plymouth Dentistry
A toothache is your body’s way of letting you know something is wrong. If your tooth pain persists, call our office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.
Our emergency dentists will do everything they can to see you as soon as possible. That way, you’re able to receive emergency dental care when you need it most.
The sooner you call our office, the sooner you’ll be able to find toothache relief. While our home remedies are helpful, they don’t address the underlying cause of your pain.
During your appointment, our emergency dentists will examine your teeth and gums. They may also take X-rays to diagnose the source of your tooth pain.
In the meantime, please feel free to check out these blog posts:
Schedule an Emergency Appointment
Our emergency dentists in Plymouth, MI, are accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, please call Plymouth Dentistry at (734) 459-7110. You may also fill out our online contact form.
This blog post has been updated.
