How to Deal with Toothache at Home

Dental emergencies can sometimes happen by surprise anywhere. Dental issues like a toothache can happen after dinner or during a Sunday brunch. More likely, it will happen anytime during the holidays while spending precious time with your family.

These are the most inconvenient times for any dental emergencies. Just like everybody, dentists are probably away from their office and spending time with their loved ones at home too.

Dental emergencies can be difficult to deal with. It involves lots of discomfort and pain that cannot be ignored. It can stress you out and disrupt any activity you’re enjoying or responsibilities that need your urgent attention.

Toothache or tooth pain is the most common event of a dental emergency that happens to children and adults alike. Oftentimes, a toothache is not something that would simply go away with massage and cold compress to the affected area. A simple toothache could be a symptom of other dental issues, from a minor dental problem to a serious dental injury that needs the appropriate dental surgery procedure.

You might experience toothache when eating or drinking something sweet and something very hot or cold. Tooth pain can also be caused by tooth trauma or tooth eruption that may result in bleeding, swelling around the area, and difficulty chewing food.

Whatever the reason may be, we assure you that knowing how to properly handle a dental emergency at home can keep any dental problems from worsening. There are many things you can do while your dentist is temporarily unavailable to physically screen you about your toothache.

Disinfect the Affected Tooth

One of the first things you can do in case of a dental emergency is to disinfect the affected area around the sore tooth. After rinsing your mouth with lukewarm water, you can gently clean the affected tooth using a toothbrush with soft bristles. Afterward, dental floss can help remove lodged food bits that are trapped between the teeth and possibly causing pain.

If cleaning the sore tooth with a toothbrush or using dental floss is not possible, dissolve a teaspoon of salt in warm water and use it to rinse your mouth. Alternatively, mouthwash and Hydrogen Peroxide are good first-aid solutions to kill bacteria and ease tooth pain. You can also apply a cold compress on your face to decrease swelling.

Take over-the-counter pain relief medications

When you first feel your toothache coming on, another thing you can do is start a regimen that involves alternating intake of Tylenol and Advil. You can simply find Advil and Tylenol as over-the-counter medication at your local drugstore or pharmacy.

Once you take it, we want you to be alternating between the two. Tylenol helps with the pain and Advil helps with pain and inflammation at the same time.

What to avoid

The first aid solutions mentioned above are the easiest and most appropriate responses to any dental emergencies at home. No matter what you do, avoid taking aspirin. This medication can burn the gums and cause more pain in the affected area.

Schedule Dental Visit in Ancaster

Most importantly, call your local dental office immediately and schedule an appointment with your family dentist for dental treatment and prescription. Seeing your dentist as soon as possible would save you from greater inconvenience and expenses.

If these home remedies for a dental emergency are not working for you, don’t worry. We got you!

Give us a call and we’ll get you a schedule for screening and figure out what could be causing the tooth pain. We have a dedicated line and other contact options so we can provide no-hassle assistance with your dental emergency in Ancaster, Hamilton, Dundas, and Stoney Creek.