Tooth pain can affect productivity at work or prevent you from sleeping at night. If you have a toothache, the best solution is to see a dentist. However, you will have to reduce the pain before you get to the dentist. Below are tips to help you deal with tooth pain as you prepare for your dental appointment.

Rinse With Warm Saltwater

A typical home remedy for tooth pain is a saltwater rinse. Saltwater has antibacterial properties that help reduce inflammation. Rinsing your mouth with saltwater cleans infections and removes food particles stuck in your teeth, providing temporary pain relief. 

Use Ice Cubes

The main concern when dealing with a toothache is getting some relief. Applying ice on areas of the painful tooth can help soothe the pain. How you go about it depends on which method you prefer to use. 

For instance, you can wrap a few pieces of ice on a towel and compress the affected area for a few minutes. Also, you can hold ice water in your mouth for several seconds at a time, be careful not to chew on the ice to prevent tooth breakage.

Make Use of Garlic

Did you know that you can use garlic as a tooth pain reliever? Garlic has antibacterial properties, which help lower bacteria activities in the mouth. You can grind garlic into a paste and apply it to the affected tooth. Garlic oil can also relieve tooth pain. Soak a cotton ball in the garlic oil, place it on your tooth, or chew on a fresh garlic clove and spit it out later.

Over-the-Counter Painkillers

Taking over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen is an effective way of relieving tooth pain. Dentists recommend acetaminophen when numbing tooth pain in children. Always stick to the recommended dose on the package. Visit your dentist if the tooth pain persists even after taking painkillers.

Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse

As an alternative to saltwater, hydrogen peroxide is also helpful in fighting bacteria and inflammation. You should rinse with equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water and spit it out. Avoid swallowing hydrogen to avoid throat irritation or stomach upset.

Natural Vanilla Extract

Vanilla is a natural inflammatory that helps relieve tooth pain. Use a small amount of natural vanilla extract on a cotton ball to apply to the affected area. You can also use your finger to put a small amount on the painful tooth a few times a day.

Elevate Your Head

Getting some sleep when you have a toothache can be very difficult. However, you should try reducing the blood supply to your head to reduce the pain. You can achieve that by supporting your head up with pillows or sleeping in an upright position in a seat when necessary. 

For more info about dental services, contact a local professional. 

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