5 Drug-Free Remedies for Your Dental Pain

You wake up one morning, and all of a sudden you notice that your gums are throbbing, and your mouth is extremely sore. Right away, you realize that you’re suffering from a toothache. Naturally, your first move is to call your emergency dentist right away to schedule an appointment; after all, if the pain is a sign of a larger oral health issue, you’ll need professional help right away. In the meantime, though, what can you do about the discomfort? If you don’t want to rely on medication due to allergies or dedication to a holistic lifestyle, try these 5 alternative solutions for dental pain in Rockledge.

1. Salt Water

The benefits of rinsing with salt water are twofold. In addition to soothing the pain in your mouth, it can also reduce the level of harmful oral bacteria, which is helpful if you’re currently suffering from an infection. To create a proper rinse, mix half a teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of water. Be sure to spit afterwards without swallowing.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

You can also rinse your mouth with a half-water half-hydrogen peroxide solution. Hydrogen peroxide is known to reduce soreness and gum inflammation. Just like with the salt water rinse, you need to be careful not to swallow the solution. Also, you might notice some additional redness in your mouth after using hydrogen peroxide, but this should pass within a few hours.

3. Cold Compress

Toothaches are often accompanied by swelling. Hold a cold compress on your cheek over the area in question. Typically, you should only keep the compress in place for about 10 to 20 minutes at a time every 1 to 2 hours.

4. Ice

There’s another way to use cold to fight dental pain. Take a piece of ice and hold it in the hand that is on the same side of the body as the tooth in question. Using your thumb and forefinger, rub the ice for about 7 minutes at a time, or until numbness occurs. It is thought that this technique prevents pain signals from ever reaching your brain.

5. Clove Oil

Cloves have been used for treating infected teeth and cavities for centuries thanks to an active ingredient they contain that can numb the skin. You can apply the clove oil directly with your hands, or you can use a cotton ball to gently dab it on the tooth and gums where the pain is.

All of the techniques listed above only provide temporary relief; you’ll need the help of an emergency dentist in Rockledge if you want to address the underlying cause of the pain. That said, these natural remedies can help you stay as comfortable as possible until you can get to the dental practice for treatment.

About the Author

Dr. Sowmya Kumar joined the dental field as a way to make a positive difference to society. She received her dental doctorate from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. During her career, she has had extensive experience treating various ailments, including facial swelling and toothaches. If you’re suffering from dental pain, you can schedule an appointment at her practice, Premier Walk-In Dental, by visiting her website or calling (321) 631-4334.