What caused my toothache?
If you have a moderate to severe toothache, it can make your life difficult. Even simple things such as; chewing, talking, and sleeping can become a chore.
If you don’t know what caused your toothache, here are some common culprits;
- Face injury
- Impacted (damaged) teeth
- Gum Disease
- Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
- Tooth sensitivity
- Congestion or a sinus infection
If you do notice a pain in your tooth, and you have the benefits, or cash to do so, visiting a dentist should always be your immediate first step.
Call Smiles Dental Group immediately at (587) 410-5766 if you have any of these symptoms along with a toothache:
- sudden and severe tooth pain
- fever
- foul-tasting discharge
- sudden facial swelling
- trouble breathing or swallowing
OTC (Over-The-Counter) Tooth Ache Relief
If you aren’t in a position where you can easily see or afford a dentist, here are some over-the-counter relief options for your toothache. Although these solutions are not made equal, they also may or may not work for your situation. It’s best to keep this in mind as it may be cheaper to go see a dentist, than trial and error different product solutions.
- NSAIDS (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) – They may sound scary but you have almost definitely heard of drugs like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or naxproxen. These NSAIDS help target inflammation which can decrease some of the pain. Be careful of the dose since taking too much can damage your liver.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – This is a common drug for pain relief and can be used to subdue some pain from toothaches as well. Please see the dose recommendation before you consume it.
- Toothache Drops & Gels – Typically, these are medicated gels that contain mild-numbing agents like benzocaine. They are topically applied to the affected area and should numb the pain. Please read the label and ask your dentist or doctor if the product is right for you.
DIY Toothache Pain Relief
We want to emphasize that these will not fix your toothache, however, they may decrease the pain, inflammation, and potential infection until you can see a dentist.
Here are some temporary DIY options:
- Warm saltwater – This will help cleanse your mouth since salt is an antiseptic that can reduce inflammation.
- Add 1 teaspoon of salt to a 8-ounce glass of saltwater, then gargle and rinse thoroughly.
- Ice Pack – Nothing too scientific here. Ice numbs the affected area through cold. Press the ice pack against the affected tooth/teeth, until the cold numbs the pain, or as long as it feel comfortable.
- Elevate Your Head – Keeping your head elevated will keep more blood away from the affected area which may help to alleviate some of the pressure.
