How to Get Rid of a Toothache Without Medication
Toothache pain can range from mild to unbearable, with most causing a constant ache, throbbing pain when chewing, a sore jaw and a general feeling of illness. Most toothaches result from tooth decay, according to MayoClinic.com 1. While all toothaches that persist for longer than two days require professional evaluation, you can ease toothache pain at home, without medication, while waiting for your appointment.
Brush and floss your teeth to remove any trapped food particles that might be causing or contributing to your toothache. This is important even if brushing and flossing causes pain. Continue brushing, flossing and using antibacterial mouthwash as normal until you see your dentist.
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Rinse your mouth with warm water and salt every hour. Mix 1/2 tsp. of normal table salt in 8 oz. of warm water to make a saline mouth rinse. Swish the solution around inside your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out.
Soak a cotton ball in oil of cloves and wedge it between your gum and the affected tooth. MayoClinic.com states that oil of cloves will relieve pain temporarily. Repeat every hour.
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Apply a cold compress to the affected side of your face for 20 minutes, several times each day, to reduce inflammation and ease pain. Lucile Packard Children's Hospital suggests using a cold pack or ice wrapped in a damp washcloth 2.
Tips
Call your dentist right away if you develop signs of infection, such as severe pain, swelling, fever or red gums, or if you experience difficultly swallowing or breathing.
Warnings
Do not crush aspirin and apply it to your tooth or gums. Doing so can cause burns inside your mouth.
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References
- MayoClinic.com: Toothache: First Aid
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford: Toothache
- Family Gentle Dental Care: Mouth Rinses
- Sanders JL, Houck RC. Dental Abscess. [Updated 2019 Jun 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493149/
- Sanders JL, Houck RC. Dental Abscess. [Updated 2019 Jun 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-.
- Baatsch B, Zimmer S, Rodrigues recchia D, Büssing A. Complementary and alternative therapies in dentistry and characteristics of dentists who recommend them. Complement Ther Med. 2017;35:64-69.
- Alqareer A, Alyahya A, Andersson L. The effect of clove and benzocaine versus placebo as topical anesthetics. J Dent. 2006;34(10):747-50.
- Marya CM, Satija G, J A, Nagpal R, Kapoor R, Ahmad A. In vitro inhibitory effect of clove essential oil and its two active principles on tooth decalcification by apple juice. Int J Dent. 2012;2012:759618. doi:10.1155/2012/759618
- Kamkar Asl M, Nazariborun A, Hosseini M. Analgesic effect of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of clove. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2013;3(2):186–192.
- Sisson D, Balmer C. A chemical burn from a garlic poultice applied to the face to treat toothache: a case report. Prim Dent J. 2014;3(1):28-9.
- Bagga S, Thomas BS, Bhat M. Garlic burn as self-inflicted mucosal injury--a case report and review of the literature. Quintessence Int. 2008;39(6):491–494.
- Rostami AM, Brooks JK. Intraoral chemical burn from use of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Gen Dent. 2011;59(6):504–506.
- Alqareer A, Alyahya A, Andersson L. The effect of clove and benzocaine versus placebo as topical anesthetics. J Dent. 2006 Nov;34(10):747-50.
- Baatsch B, Zimmer S, Recchia DR, Büssing A. Complementary and alternative therapies in dentistry and characteristics of dentists who recommend them. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2017;35:64-69.
- Sisson D, Balmer C. A Chemical Burn from a Garlic Poultice Applied to the Face to Treat Toothache: A Case Report. Primary Dental Journal. 2014;3(1):28-29.
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Sandra Ketcham has nearly two decades of experience writing and editing for major websites and magazines. Her work appears in numerous web and print publications, including "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution," "The Tampa Bay Times," Visit Florida, "USA Today," AOL's Gadling and "Kraze Magazine."