Tips to Dealing with Dental Pain

Toothache is one of the worst pains anyone can experience. Unlike other types of pain, toothache can be constant and nagging, leaving you depressed and miserable until you get to see your dentist.

The good news is that most dentists do keep emergency appointments available each day to cater for patients who suffer with severe pain. Remember you will have to phone your dentist as they open in the morning to secure one of these appointments to ensure you get seen that day.

In the event that the pain worsens overnight and you can’t control it, you can visit the accident and emergency department at your local hospital. They cannot repair the tooth, but they will be able to help you manage the pain and make you feel more comfortable.

There are certain items you may have in your home cupboard, which you can use to control the tooth pain until you get to see your dentist, according to leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon, DrTariq Drabu.

One of the items that works wonders when it comes to dental pain is cloves. Whether you have whole cloves or clove oil at home, you can use it directly on the tooth to numb the pain. Cloves are a natural anaesthetic, numbing the tooth and relieving the pain.

Be careful when using clove oil on the tooth, as you don’t want to get it on your gums. Tip an ear bud into the liquid and then gently hold it on the tooth. While the taste may be horrid, the effects are almost immediate and can provide some relief. You will have the repeat the process over a few hours until you get to your dentist and they can help you with the problem, relieving the pain moving forward.

When experiencing tooth pain, Dr Tariq Drabu also recommends you rinse your mouth with warm water and salt. Mix salt in warm water and then rinse around the area. Salt is a natural antiseptic, while this may not relieve the pain itself, it will reduce the risk of infection. With infection you may have to take antibiotics before dental treatment can be carried out, therefore ensuring you take precautions ensures when you see the dentist they can treat you straight away, helping you relieve the pain.

Dr Tariq Drabu also recommends that you take precautionary measures to reduce the risk of dental pain on a daily basis. Prevention is better than cure when it comes to your oral health. This means reducing your sugar intake. Sugar is a leading cause of dental cavities and by reducing the amount of sugar you consume, you can significantly reduce the risk of oral pain in the future.

Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated. Dry mouth or dehydration can result in your teeth suffering as a result. Saliva is alkaline and imperative to protecting your teeth on a daily basis. By drinking plenty of water you can help keep your mouth moist and therefore protecting your teeth.

You will also want to enjoy some crunchy fruits and vegetables. Stay away from acidic foods. The crunchy foods will increase saliva production, which in turn helps you protect your teeth moving forward.

Finally, Dr Tariq Drabu advised that it is imperative that you keep your routine dental appointment. Many patients don’t realise the importance of a routine dental appointment, especially if they aren’t in pain.

During a dental appointment, the dentist will examine your mouth, face and neck. This helps them identify any potential problems and treat them early to reduce the risk of tooth pain moving forward.