Now that you have called your emergency dentist about your toothache, you may be excited about the coming relief. You deserve to be out of pain after all, but what if your visit is still a short wait away? Before you think you’ll have to deal with your discomfort, there may be some things in your pantry that can help. Here are four items you can try to ease your hurting tooth.
1.) Swish Warm Salt Water
While you may use salt to give your meals an extra boost of flavor, it can also be helpful with your nagging toothache. Mixing it with some warm water can make a natural disinfectant. Simply add a half teaspoon of this seasoning into a glass of water and use it as a mouthwash. As you rinse, it can help remove any food debris in your mouth, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
2.) Apply a Cold Compress
You may also be able to find success with your toothache by applying an ice pack to it. It can cool and soothe the area by numbing it and reducing blood flow. If you don’t have one, then you can put ice in a plastic baggie and wrap it in a cloth. Press it against your cheek for 15-minute intervals, and it should be a bit helpful!
3.) Chew Garlic
If you have some garlic lying around, then you might want to consider using it to get some relief. For centuries, it has been recognized for its medicinal properties in killing harmful bacteria. To make it effective for your dental discomfort, you can slowly chew on a fresh clove or crush one into a paste and apply it to your tooth.
4.) Dab Vanilla Extract
Although you may use this ingredient to make some of your favorite pastries, you might think about sparing a few drops of it. Vanilla extract is an antioxidant that contains alcohol, so it can numb your pain and be helpful with healing!
Simply just put a small amount of it on a cotton ball, or your finger, and put it on your tooth. However, it’s important that you ensure you are using real vanilla instead of imitation vanilla. Double-check your bottle before you try it.
Hopefully one of these works for you in the meantime! Although you may be able to get some relief, these are only temporary solutions. Use them to hold off your toothache, but be sure to still visit your dentist as soon as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Thomas Gromling earned his dental degree from the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University. He has nearly 40 years of experience that he uses to give the community the highest quality care they deserve. Dr. Gromling understands how dental emergencies, like a severe toothache, can leave you scrambling, so he is proud to offer same-day visits to get you relief as soon as possible. If your dental discomfort is intense, the fastest way to contact his office is by calling (540) 869-4377.