Ways to Fight a Severe Toothache
Tooth decay is the leading cause of toothache for both adults and children, according to the Mayo Clinic 12. The pain of a toothache may be constant or it may increase after eating or brushing, causing such severe pain that sleeping, working and other activities are disrupted 2. Home treatment can minimize severe toothache pain while you are waiting for a dental appointment to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of your pain 2.
Home Treatment
Home treatment can help to ease even severe toothache pain. To reduce pain and swelling, apply an ice pack against your cheek on the affected side of your head. Avoid using heat, as this can make toothache pain worse, and stay away from very hot and cold foods 2. Brush and floss after every meal or gargle with mouthwash to dislodge trapped food that may be contributing to pain. Gargling with warm saltwater also is beneficial.
- Home treatment can help to ease even severe toothache pain.
- Avoid using heat, as this can make toothache pain worse, and stay away from very hot and cold foods 2.
Over-the-counter Medication
Remedies for a Severe Toothache
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In many cases, over-the-counter pain relievers are strong enough to reduce tooth pain and inflammation. Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen, when taken continuously per the manufacturer's directions, can help to control toothache pain 2. When the source of the pain is obvious, applying an antiseptic with benzocaine directly to the sore tooth or gum will provide temporary relief from pain. Avoid using too much benzocaine, as this numbing agent may interfere with eating and swallowing when used excessively.
- In many cases, over-the-counter pain relievers are strong enough to reduce tooth pain and inflammation.
- Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen, when taken continuously per the manufacturer's directions, can help to control toothache pain 2.
Alternative Treatments
For rapid, but temporary, relief of severe toothache pain, soak a cotton ball in oil of cloves and place it against the affected tooth 2. When taken internally, willow bark can reduce the pain and inflammation associated with a toothache 2. Willow bark contains salicin and works in the same manner as aspirin, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center 4. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that capsaicin, or red pepper, is also effective at relieving toothache pain when applied topically to the affected tooth.
Medical Intervention
How to Get Rid of a Toothache Without Medication
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Severe or persistent toothaches always require evaluation and treatment by a dentist. Depending on the underlying cause of your toothache, you may require a tooth extraction, root canal or filling. Oral antibiotics are usually necessary when an infection is present. Merck says that penicillin is the preferred antibiotic for most dental infections, with clindamycin used as an alternative when penicillin is contraindicated.
Treating the cause of a toothache should permanently get rid of pain and other symptoms 2.
- Severe or persistent toothaches always require evaluation and treatment by a dentist.
- Depending on the underlying cause of your toothache, you may require a tooth extraction, root canal or filling.
Related Articles
References
- Mayo Clinic: Toothache: First Aid
- Merck: Toothache and Infection
- National Institutes of Health: Toothaches
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Willow Bark
- 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.
Writer Bio
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."