A sudden toothache can put a painful damper on your daily activities. Luckily, general dentistry treatments (like cavity removal and dental crowns) can help you get lasting relief from dental pain.
At Town & Country Dental, Dr. Thomas W. Wegner can help you restore and protect your smile with comprehensive treatments. But, don’t wait until a toothache sets in. Schedule a routine checkup with our dentist in Oak Park, IL, now at (708) 383-0330 or online here to prevent future dental issues.
In today’s blog post, we help you decide if you can treat a toothache at home. From easy remedies to helpful tips, we tell you how to handle sudden dental pain.
Will my toothache go away on its own?
In some cases, a superficial toothache may go away on its own in a few days. Typically, these types of toothaches are the result of light trauma, gum irritation, or minor tooth enamel erosion. Oftentimes, home remedies and over-the-counter painkillers can help reduce pain and swelling without the help of a dentist.
However, toothaches that last longer than a few days require the expertise of a trained professional.
When to See a Dentist
As a general rule of thumb, patients should always contact their dentists whenever they develop a toothache. However, there are a few warning signs that immediate dental care is necessary, such as:
- A broken, cracked, or chipped tooth
- A broken, loose, or missing dental restoration
- A dental abscess (infection)
- Sudden bleeding
- Fever
- Puffy, red, or bloody gums
- Constant pain that worsens with mild pressure or temperature changes
Still not sure if you need to call a professional? Err on the side of caution–call our Oak Park dentist immediately. We can help you assess the situation so that you don’t have to make any decisions about your health alone.
Helpful Home Remedies for a Toothache
Even if you need to see a dentist, there are several things you can do at home to reduce your discomfort, such as:
- Apply ice packs: Applying ice packs to the sides of the face and outside of the mouth can keep swelling under control. Be sure to wrap ice packs in protective towels, and only apply them for 20 minutes at a time.
- Take over-the-counter painkillers: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) fight pain while reducing swelling. We recommend taking ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin to keep pain and swelling at bay.
- Rinse with salt water or hydrogen peroxide: Keeping the mouth free and clear of harmful microbes is important. Rinsing with warm salt water or 3% hydrogen peroxide limits bacteria in the mouth to prevent further issues, like dental infections.
- Try oil pulling: Oil pulling is a gentle way to remove bacteria from the mouth and reduce pain and swelling. Simply swish a tablespoon of coconut oil around the mouth for several minutes before spitting it out. Adding essential oils (like one or two drops of clove oil) can enhance the benefits of oil pulling.
Have a toothache? Contact our dentist in Oak Park now.
Don’t wait for dental pain to become unbearable–ask the team at Town & Country Dental for help now. Simply submit an appointment request online here, or call our downtown Oak Park dental office at (708) 383-0330 to get started.