Cavities, Bad Breath and Other Embarrassing Topics

Got A Toothache? What To Do Until You Can See The Dentist

If you're dealing with an after-hours toothache, and you're not near an emergency dentist, it's time to go natural. You might not realise it, but there are a lot of natural ways to dull the pain of a toothache. If you've tried over-the-counter pain medication but you're still dealing with pain, read the list provided below. These tips will help improve the effectiveness of your pain medication until you can get to your dentist. 

Say No to Sugar

If you've got a toothache, one of the first things you should do is cut out sugar. This is especially important if your toothache is caused by a cavity. You might not know this, but sugar can actually make your toothache pain worse. This is especially true if your teeth have developed a sensitivity to sugar. One of the problems with sugar is that it can damage the enamel on your teeth. That's why you should avoid sugary food and beverages, especially when you have a toothache. 

Use an Ice Pack

If you have a toothache but you can't get to the dentist, it's time to reach for the ice packs. Ice packs ease toothache pain in a couple of ways. Ice packs reduce the swelling around the nerves in your teeth. Ice packs also numb your gums. Both of these help dull the pain of a toothache. Be sure to wrap the ice pack in a soft cloth so your skin doesn't get too cold. If you don't have an ice pack, you can also use cold compresses.

Avoid Cold Food

If you're dealing with toothache pain, stay away from cold food. You might think that cold food will cure toothache pain, especially since ice packs do. but cold food can actually make the pain worse. That's because cold food penetrates right to the nerve. Unfortunately, that can intensify the pain of your toothache. To avoid the intense pain, avoid cold food until you can get to the dentist for your toothache. 

Make Your Poultice

If your toothache pain is too much to bear, now's the right time to make a natural poultice. There are several natural ingredients that work well to ease toothache pain, such as garlic, cloves and salt. Crush a clove and combine it with garlic powder and salt. Add a bit of olive oil to create a soft poultice. Apply the poultice to the affected tooth. This will dull the pain until you can be seen by your dentist. 

If you are experiencing a toothache, contact a local dentist.


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