Your teeth play a major role in your day-to-day life. They impact your speech, your smile, and your ability to eat and drink. So when you’re dealing with tooth pain, it can cause more than just discomfort — it can impact your way of life.
Depending on the severity of the tooth pain, there are some remedies you can try at home to stop the pain. There comes a point, though, when minor discomfort turns into something more severe. In those cases, reach out to a skilled dentist like Bridge Creek Dental for assistance.
5 Ways to relieve tooth pain
Are you feeling shooting pain in your teeth?
Does a tooth hurt when you’re eating or drinking?
Whatever type of discomfort you’re feeling, here are five ways to find some relief.
1. Use a cold compress
If a tooth or your gums are inflamed, you need to reduce the inflammation to alleviate the discomfort you may be feeling. One of the most effective ways to do this is by applying a cold compress to the side of your face where the painful tooth is for 20 minutes at a time.
However, you mustn’t apply the cold compress directly to your skin as it can cause further irritation. Instead, there should be a buffer such as a washcloth between the cold compress and your skin.
2. Take an anti-inflammatory
If you’re experiencing pain and swelling, anti-inflammatory medication can be taken every few hours to help minimize the swelling. Continue to take the medication until the problem with your tooth is resolved.
If you stop taking it as soon as the medication kicks in, the pain and discomfort will return as soon as the anti-inflammatory wears off.
3. Gargle with saltwater
What is causing the pain and discomfort in your mouth?
Are you dealing with an infection of your gums or teeth?
An effective way to clean the infection and reduce pain levels is to rinse your mouth with saltwater. This will clear out any open wounds and reduce inflammation.
4. Apply a hot pack
Similar to applying a cold compress, you may also find relief by applying a hot pack to the area of discomfort. If you don’t have a heating pad or hot pack at your disposal, you can make one by filling a clean sock with dried rice and heating it in the microwave for a few minutes.
The heat on your skin will help reduce the pain by stopping the pain signals from reaching your brain.
5. Schedule a dentist appointment
Although there are several ways for you to stop tooth pain at home, there may come a time when home remedies aren’t doing enough. If the oral pain is caused by a more serious problem such as a tooth fracture, abscessed tooth, or infected gums, you need the assistance of a professional.
These oral health concerns can lead to more serious complications, including tooth loss or bacterial infections if left untreated.
Prevent tooth pain with preventative dental visits
Visiting your dentist is the most effective way to prevent or resolve any tooth pain you may be experiencing. Whether the pain has become more severe or you’re hoping to take proactive measures against tooth pain, schedule preventative dental care with Bridge Creek Dental. Our team can detect minor oral health problems before they turn into major health concerns such as gum disease and tooth loss.
Here at Bridge Creek Dental, we specialize in providing preventive dental care for your entire family. Give our team a call to schedule an appointment in Billings, MT.