Healty - Everyone has had a toothache at least once in a lifetime. Not only makes you ache when eating, toothache can also cause headaches and body aches because of fever. Calm down first You can try various ways to treat and relieve toothache at home or take medicine that is bought at a pharmacy without a prescription.
Various ways to relieve toothache at home
If you have a toothache, the best solution is to go to the dentist. However, the doctor will usually advise you to come back another time when the pain has subsided. The dentist cannot do any treatment when your teeth are still in trouble.
Now while waiting for the treatment schedule, here are various ways to treat and relieve toothache that you can do at home:
1. Gargle salt water
the benefits of salt water for oral health
One of the quickest and most effective ways to relieve toothache, whatever the cause, is by gargling salt water.
How to make it enough to dissolve ½ teaspoon salt into one glass of warm water (240 ml). Gargle in the mouth for a few moments, concentrating on the affected area. Then remove the mouth rinse.
Salt will absorb moisture in the mouth that helps kill bacteria that cause toothache. Salt water also helps reduce inflammation due to infection. Not only that, warm water is also useful to calm the pain.
Before gargling, you can flossing first to remove the remaining food tucked around the tooth that hurts.
2. Ice pack
how to treat toothache
Source: Greensboro Dentist
Another way to treat toothache is an ice pack. Put a few chunks of ice in plastic and then cover it with a thin washcloth.
Place the compress on the sore cheek for 15 minutes. You can also apply compresses directly to the aching tooth surface. This method will make the teeth nerves numb so that pain no longer feels.
There is one interesting way you can try if you want to use an ice cube compress to relieve toothache.
Massage the back of the hand area between the thumb and index finger with an ice cube compress. In this area there are nerves that are sensitive to "cold" stimuli so they will beat the pain signals from your teeth.
Note: hand massage on the same side as aching teeth.
3. Chew raw onions
eat garlic
If you don't get a lot of it, maybe you can try this way to relieve toothache. Shallots and garlic are natural toothache medicines that are not yet widely known.
Both of these onions have antiseptic and antimicrobial properties to kill germs that cause toothaches while controlling their pain.
The way to relieve toothache with onion is to chew it. Yes, chew raw onions for a few minutes on the side of the mouth that throbbing. When torn by teeth, onions will release allicin, an oily substance that functions to kill bacteria.
If you can't chew onions, thinly slice the onions and place them directly on the diseased tooth as a compress.
4. Gargle with vinegar
how to treat toothache with apple vinegar
If you are less interested in salt water, maybe this way to treat toothache can be an option. Kitchen vinegar and apple cider vinegar contain antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that effectively kill germs that cause toothaches.
However, don't rinse with pure vinegar. Acid from vinegar can damage tooth enamel if exposed directly. So, first dissolve 1/2 tsp vinegar in a glass of warm water. Gargle and hold in the affected area for about 30 seconds. After that, immediately discard.
If you are not strong with the sour taste of the vinegar, you can drop the vinegar on the cotton and stick the cotton on the tooth that hurts. After that, immediately rinse and brush your teeth as usual with a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
5. Clove oil
source: Natural Pigments
Clove oil is an herbal remedy that has long been used to relieve toothache naturally. This oil contains the compound eugenol as a natural anesthetic agent which was allegedly able to help "turn off the nerves" temporarily.
However, be careful before using clove oil as a way to treat toothache. Carelessly pouring clove oil in the mouth, the pain might get worse if it drips onto the tongue or sensitive gums.
It is safe to pour two drops of clove oil on a cotton ball, then put on the problem teeth. Compress until the pain subsides. You can also use powdered cloves or whole cloves and hold them in the location of a sore tooth.
Afterwards, rinse the mouth to rinse the remnants of cloves that may be left in the mouth.
6. Guava leaves
guava causes appendicitis
Don't remove guava leaves if you just bought the fruit. Guava leaves have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and at the same time pain relievers (analgesics) which can be a way to treat toothache at home.
You do this by folding or rolling one or two sheets of guava leaves, then chew until the water extract comes out. With your tongue "catch" the juice and apply it to the affected tooth area.
If this method is difficult for you, try boiling four to five guava leaves and add a pinch of salt. Then let it cool for a while. Use this guava leaf solution as a mouthwash.
How to treat toothache with medication
how to treat toothache with medicine
If the way to relieve toothache above is not effective for you, maybe it's time to switch to taking pain relievers. You can buy most toothache medicines at the nearest pharmacy without needing to redeem a doctor's prescription.
However, you should still consult with your dentist to find the most appropriate drug for you. Here are some of the most effective toothache medication choices:
1. Hydrogen peroxide 3%
Hydrogen peroxide is a liquid antiseptic that is often used as a mouthwash to kill bacteria and germs that cause dental and gum problems, including mouth ulcers and gum inflammation.
The way hydrogen peroxide treats toothache is by releasing oxygen which makes the foam to remove dead skin cells and clean the area of the injured skin.
Just dissolve hydrogen peroxide with water then rinse your mouth for 30 seconds. After that, immediately throw and rinse again with clean water. Remember, the liquid hydrogen peroxide must be dissolved first because the pure form can hurt the mouth and gums.
Aside from being a way to treat toothache, this mouthwash can also expel bad breath which is a sign of gum infection.
2. Paracetamol
Most likely, you must have a supply of paracetamol at home in case of fever. Well, launching the results of studies in the journal Annals of Maxillofacial Surgery this drug can also help relieve toothache, you know! Especially for toothaches that occur after tooth extraction.
Paracetamol belongs to an NSAID class that works to relieve pain due to inflammation. Paracetamol can also reduce fever and relieve headaches that often arise due to toothache.
But if you have allergies or serious problems in the liver, you are not recommended to take this toothache medicine. So make sure you read how to use it first on the packaging label.
3. Ibuprofen
Just like paracetamol, ibuprofen is also classified as an NSAID which can be a way to treat toothache along with other accompanying problems. However, avoid taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach because it will hurt the stomach.
Ibuprofen as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is claimed to work well for toothaches because it can reduce inflammation problems. This is common when pain occurs in your teeth.
Do not also carelessly double the dose in order to heal faster. This method is not proven to be more effective for pain relief.
So, make sure you always read the instructions for using the drug along with the recommended dosage before taking this drug. If the pain has disappeared, you should immediately stop using this drug.
4. Naproxen
Naproxen is a pain reliever that is also often used to treat toothache. This toothache medicine is available in tablet form at a dose of 220 mg. An example of a brand of naproxen is Xenifar.
However, you must be aware of the side effects of this drug. Some of the common side effects that often occur when taking this medication are stomach aches, mild heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, headaches, itchy and reddened skin, and blurred vision.
If you are advised to undergo dental surgery, take a tooth for example, tell your doctor first that you are taking naproxen regularly.
5. Benzocaine
Actually benzocaine is a local anesthetic that works by blocking nerve signals in your body. There is also topical benzocaine which is useful for reducing pain or discomfort so that the skin or surface in the mouth becomes numb.
Consult with your doctor before using this type of medication.
6. Decongestants
Not only because of tooth decay. Toothache can also be caused because you have other health conditions such as sinusitis. Therefore, it never hurts to treat infections that occur as well as possible.
One way is to use decongestants such as nasal sprays, drops, or tablets. This method is able to help reduce nasal congestion because the way it works is to limit blood flow to the sinus cavity so that the sinuses shrink.
However, if your sinuses have healed while the toothache is still felt, immediately see a doctor to get treatment.
Go to the doctor to find out how to treat the most effective toothache
If using medical drugs also doesn't relieve your toothache, your doctor may recommend antibiotics that have stronger doses or certain medical procedures.
Medical procedures can also be a way to treat toothache that you feel. This you can do if the pain does not decrease in one to two days.
For example patching teeth, cleaning tartar (scaling), treatment of root canals (root canal), or even pulling teeth that are problematic and replace them with dentures.
Proper identification and treatment of dental infections is important. This is done to prevent the spread of the face, skull and also other areas of the body including blood flow.