You are probably reading this right now because you feel some sharp disturbing pain in your tooth. Perhaps, you want to know more about things you could do in cases of an emergency. However, before you rush off to try these remedies it is necessary you know some common signs of toothache. They include irritations in the gum, redness of the gum, tooth inflammations, continuous throbbing pains in the tooth, and sharp piercing pain.
When we talk about dental emergency care, we refer to those activities that anyone can easily and immediately carry out. This is particularly important in the event of tooth pains, inflammations, or irritations before getting a dental checkup.
Other cases will require more serious dental attention. Some of these cases include constant fever, trouble with breathing, issues with swallowing, and disgusting tooth discharges. You would be required in such cases to visit your dentist as soon as possible. If you are in North Carolina, USA, you could find an emergency dentist in Roanoke for immediate attention. It might be a problem of tooth decay which can be dangerous if not treated immediately.
What Causes Toothaches
Some of our actions and activities can cause us toothaches like drinking very cold water, eating very hot food, and piercing the tooth with very sharp objects. The sensations felt in the tooth are enabled by a part of our tooth called the dental pulp. Pulp is very soft and houses the connective tissues, nerves, and blood vessels.
The feeling of sharp pains is due to the irritations of the pulp. In most cases, tooth pain can feel very sharp and sometimes mild. However, any feeling of pain, ache, or soreness in areas around the tooth should be regarded as toothache and should be treated as such.
When we do not know what causes the pain, it becomes very disturbing and frustrating. If the cause can be determined it could help reduce the discomfort as well help you know the next step to take. Some common causes of toothaches include:
Pulpitis
This is referred to as the inflammation of the dental pulp which is usually noticed at an awfully bad stage of dental decay.
Tooth Decay
This is caused by bacteria that gradually eat through the exterior layer of the tooth – the enamel.
Gum Infection
An infection like gingivitis causes a buildup of bacteria around the tooth region. This causes painful sensation in the tooth.
Abscess
When a part or whole dental pulp dies, after a while, the tissues begin to release pus known as an abscess. You can visit https://www.healthline.com/health/abscessed-tooth to read more about it. Some other causes include bruxism, sensitive teeth, and fractured tooth.
8 Remedies for Severe Toothaches
Toothaches are conditions you should not take for granted as they could be signs of a major issue like tooth decay. If you ever feel some of the signs we discussed above, here are 8 remedies you can try out in such cases:
Salt and Hot Water Solution
This method of easing tooth pain is quite common and the easiest as everything you need is easily accessible. This solution helps to relieve tooth pain by draining out any fluid irritating the gum. You can do this by dissolving a tablespoon of salt into a cup of hot water. After the solution is ready, pour it into your mouth, gargling and rinsing continuously. Try not to swallow.
Peppermint
Taking peppermint helps to stop swelling of the gum as well as soreness. You can drink peppermint tea or use the leaves or extract. The applications vary. For peppermint leaves, chew gently with the affected tooth area or simply soak them for about 20 minutes in one cup of heated water and drink as tea. For a peppermint extract, you should soak a ball of cotton in it, then hold it against the affected site.
Using Oils
Most oils contain characteristics that can relieve sharp pains and inflammations. You would be surprised to see that you know some of them or even have them in your homes. Applying them might just require you to mix with some water for rinsing your mouth or applying directly on the affected area using a cotton ball. Pain-relieving oils include oregano oil, clove oil, sunflower oil, and sesame oil.
Citrus Fruits
The citric acid, as well as vitamin C, contained in fruits such as limes, grapes, and lemons, help to provide pain relief in the event of toothaches. They do this by destroying the bacteria found in the affected areas as well as boost our immune system. You only need to cut them into small slices and squeeze out their juice onto the areas where you feel the pain.
Potatoes
Oh yes! The potatoes you eat are capable of reducing excess moisture. When you experience toothaches, you tend to produce excess saliva which is very discomforting. However, using slices of raw potatoes could help reduce this.
Fix the slices of raw potato at the edges of your check, close to the areas where you are experiencing pain. Mashing the potato together with sea salt to paste and applying them to the affected part can also help.
Cucumber
If you love cucumber and have done some research on its health benefits, then you’ve probably seen this already. Placing slices of cold cucumber on the affected part can help reduce pain as well as temporarily eliminate inflammations. You can also apply mashed cucumber to affected areas.
Leaves, Herbs, and Roots
Some leaves, herbs, and roots such as garlic, plantain leaves, and ginger roots can serve as temporary relief for tooth pain. This is as a result of some anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that they contain. The method of application ranges from chewing them to making a powered paste if you are using garlic. You can click here to learn more about the healing properties of ginger.
Acupressure
Using acupressure, all you are required to do is apply pressure using your index finger for over two minutes to the painful spot. A cold compress could also be used to apply pressure.
You must understand that these remedies are temporary and would also require checking up with a nearby dentist for more professional advice.
Conclusion
No one likes discomfort such as toothaches and pains. For some, they might not be able to eat or swallow, for others they might not be able to sleep. At these times, trying some simple remedies can be of great help. We discussed some of those remedies, but ensure you visit your dentist regularly to prevent cases of dental disorder or decay.
