3 At-Home Treatments for Relieving a Toothache
When you have a toothache, it’s absolutely essential to get it checked out and treated by a dentist as soon as possible. That said, if the earliest dental appointment you can get is still a day or two away, you shouldn’t have to worry about enduring a lot of pain until then. There are several at-home treatments that can provide temporary relief until you’re in the dentist’s chair.
Anchorage’s The Libby Group, a full-service dental clinic providing everything from emergency care to teeth whitening treatments, suggests these natural methods of relieving tooth pain:
- Salt Water: Dissolve a teaspoon of salt into a cup of boiling water and use it as a mouthwash. Swish it around for half a minute before spitting, and repeat the process throughout the day. The salt helps clear away irritants that could be exacerbating your toothache, and you may find that your swelling eases as well.
- Citrus: It has been suggested that the citric acid and vitamin C found in fruits like lemons and limes can help ease toothaches. Slice the fruit and bite it slightly to release the citrus juices. Then place the fruit near the painful tooth or in the gum area.
- Vanilla Extract: Since vanilla extract contains alcohol (which has a numbing effect), it can be a temporary pain reliever. You can either use your finger to rub the extract onto your tooth or gum, or put a few drops on a cotton ball and place it onto the area of the toothache. Keep in mind that this solution may not last for long and that it will need to be re-applied often.
While the tricks above are useful in keeping discomfort levels down, be sure to schedule a visit to the dentist to rule out any serious issues and prevent the problem from becoming worse.
