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There’s nothing quite as aggravating and stressful as a toothache. Some sufferers are even awakened from sleep by a pain in their mouths. Of course, a serious and persistent toothache warrants a visit to the dentist as soon as possible, but in the meantime, here are some steps you can take to get some temporary toothache relief.
Rinse with salt water. The salt helps alleviate inflammation in the gums, which can temporarily lessen the pain of a toothache. Take a teaspoon of table salt and mix it into a cup of warm water. Swish it in your mouth for 30 seconds and spit it out. Repeat as necessary until your sore tooth can get some attention from the dentist. This is also a remedy for relieving the pain of canker sores.
Painkillers. Over-the-counter drugs , such as Aspirin and ibuprofen can also help reduce inflammation of the gums and relieve pain. Acetaminophen can also temporarily give you relief by blocking pain messages in the brain.
Swab with clove oil. This one definitely sounds like a folk remedy, but it really works! To create the painkilling remedy, mix 2-3 drops of clove oil with a quarter teaspoon of olive oil. Once you have that, soak a cotton ball in the oil mixture and place it near the painful tooth. Bite down to keep the cotton ball in place. The clove oil serves a dual purpose of disinfecting the area and numbing it at the same time.
A toothache can have many causes and can vary in severity from minor soreness to throbbing pain. Especially when the pain is due to cavities or an infection, a visit to your Mesa dentist is the best way to ensure that the problem doesn’t worsen. If you’re experiencing tooth pain, make an appointment with your Arizona dentist right away. In the meantime, follow these tips to get you through the waiting period.
