Toothache Do's & Don't's (From a Real Dentist)

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By Dr.Aria Irvani DDS

Toothaches can be caused by a variety of problems. Decay, gum disease, trauma, etc. Although you should make every attempt to see a dentist to avoid more serious consequences, there are those times that access to a dentist is not always possible.

If the toothache strikes during such an occasion when immediate dental care is not available, there are some basic steps that may alleviate your discomfort until you can visit your dentist. These tips are just as useful whether you are on a deserted island for vacation or you are traveling for business. Since the nature of the problem has to be investigated by a dental professional, you may have to try one or several of these remedies to see which one will relieve your pain. Here are some of these tips.

      > Floss the area to make sure there are no debris lodged between the teeth causing pain.
      > Hold warm salt water in the area for about a minute to reduce inflammation.
      > You can use clove oil on the tooth or in the gum adjacent to the tooth.
      > In adults holding a swig of whiskey over the painful tooth may help the pain.
      > If you have pain to biting, avoid fully closing your teeth so that the teeth do not contact one another.
      > Holding ice chips may help pain depending on the source of the pain. If the ice chips increase the discomfort, discontinue using it.

If it is a throbbing toothache, keeping the head elevated may reduce your pain. Over the counter medication can give you temporary relief as well. Do not place an aspirin over the gum as this may cause a chemical burn.

Dr. Aria Irvani DDS provides families in the Orange County California area with comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry services.

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