How to Stop a Toothache

There are several causes of toothache. It could be due to problems like tooth decay, gum disease, cracked teeth, etc. Sometimes, food gets caught in between the teeth and gives symptoms of pain. It can be a symptom of any health problem like sinus infection.

The pain starts at the root of the affected tooth and then gets extended to the jaws, ear, and neck. The worst part is that it strikes without any warning. The onset of the pain is sometimes so severe that you get desperate to know how to stop a toothache instantly.

When you have a toothache, then you need to visit a dentist for proper treatment. However, till the time you get an appointment with the dentist, you can try out some remedies at home. They are as follows:

This is one of the most simple as well as effective cures. In a glass of warm water, add one teaspoon of salt into it and stir well to dissolve the salt properly. Take this solution in your mouth and swish it for few minutes and spit it out. This lessens the pain within minutes in most cases.

Clove oil has an amazing effect on toothache. It has natural anti-inflammatory properties that tend to make the area around the affected tooth numb for an hour or so. Pour a few drops of clove oil on the cotton swab and place it over that area. If you do not have clove oil and the pain is mild then chewing dried cloves can also be helpful.

Many people get a lot of relief after a gentle flossing. This is particularly effective when the ache is caused due to food getting caught in between the teeth. However, the gums become too sensitive due to the toothache and so you have to be careful that the gums do not get hurt. You can apply some clove oil before flossing for better results.

Some people find that the application of cold on the affected area helps to get rid of the tenderness associated with it. Apply the ice pack for 15 minutes and not more than that on your painful jaw. Repeat it 3-4 times a day, and thus, the pain and swelling will go down. Sucking small cubes of ice several times a day can also provide relief.

There are several types of pain relieving medicines that can be used to reduce the toothache. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen are the most widely used medicines for this purpose. Talk to your local pharmacy for other such medicines. The dosage of the medicines should be as per the recommendations provided on the package.

However, all these measures are going to give you only a temporary relief from the toothache. For permanent relief, the exact problem has to be identified by the dentist. Based on that, you may have to undergo filling, or root canal treatment, or an extraction.

You can prevent further recurrence of the symptoms by maintaining a healthy dental care regime. It includes proper brushing of your teeth and gums twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, followed by a mouthwash. Moreover, visiting your dentist at least twice a year is very important.

Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.