Nothing ruins your day quite like a toothache. It makes your mood plummet, and it can make doing everyday tasks like eating, talking, or even smiling difficult or downright impossible. It’s especially terrible when your emergency dentist in Greenwood is closed or you can’t get to them right away. However, that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through your toothache. There are a few home remedies you can use. Let’s talk about them, and why you might have a toothache in the first place.
Common Reasons for Toothaches
The most frequent reason for a toothache is good old-fashioned tooth decay, also known as cavities. A cavity occurs when bacteria feast on leftover food particles and create acid that erodes the tooth enamel. When the bacteria reach the sensitive inner portions of the tooth, that’s when extreme pain can occur.
Another common reason for toothaches is tooth fractures. A tiny chip in your tooth’s enamel might not hurt, but once the fracture reaches the inside of the tooth, it can cause some serious pain that hinders your ability to live your life.
Lastly, gum disease might be to blame for your toothache. Gum disease is a bacterial infection that can cause the gums to recede from the teeth and expose the tooth roots, which are incredibly sensitive.
No matter the cause of your tooth pain, if it persists, you should call your emergency dentist in Greenwood first thing. In the meantime, there are a few over-the-counter remedies you can use.
Dentist-Recommended Toothache Remedies
Some common home remedies you can use include:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: If you’re an adult, take your pick of store-bought painkillers, like ibuprofen. Remember that if you’re under 18, aspirin is not safe. Also, NEVER place aspirin directly on a sore tooth, as it can irritate the gum tissue and make your pain worse.
- Cold compress: Apply a bag of ice wrapped in a towel to the appropriate cheek for about 20 minutes at a time.
- Oral analgesics: These topical gels can be bought in the dental section at most pharmacies.
- Garlic: Allow a clove of garlic to sit in your mouth for a while, if you can stand the taste.
- Peppermint tea bags: Peppermint contains menthol, which can soothe tooth pain as well as sensitive gums.
If you have a toothache, call your emergency dentist first thing, but until you can see them, you can use the remedies listed above.
About the Practice
Tylan Creek Family Dentistry has three convenient locations in Simpsonville, Greenwood, and Powdersville, SC. If you call us with a dental emergency, we will do our best to see you the same day. One of our doctors is even on call 24/7. To learn more, click here.