What are the most effective home remedies for tooth nerve pain. How can you quickly numb a toothache overnight. Which over-the-counter medications provide the best relief for dental discomfort. What natural treatments can soothe sensitive teeth and gums.

Understanding Different Types of Toothaches

Toothaches can manifest in various forms, each potentially indicating a different underlying issue. Recognizing the type of pain you’re experiencing is crucial for determining the appropriate remedy and whether immediate professional dental care is necessary.

Dull, Consistent Ache

A persistent, dull ache in your tooth may be caused by several factors:

• Food debris trapped between teeth or in gums
• An abscessed tooth
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Often, this type of discomfort can be alleviated by thorough brushing and flossing. However, if the pain persists, it’s advisable to consult a dentist, especially if an abscess or bruxism is suspected.

Sharp Pain

Sharp, acute tooth pain usually requires immediate dental attention. Common causes include:

• Loose crown or filling
• Tooth fracture
• Tooth decay
• Cracked tooth enamel
• Cavity

These issues expose sensitive parts of the tooth, leading to intense discomfort. Prompt professional treatment is essential to prevent further damage and alleviate pain.

Hot or Cold Sensitivity

Sensitivity to temperature extremes may indicate worn enamel. In some cases, avoiding very hot or cold foods and using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth can provide relief. However, severe pain lasting more than 30 seconds could signal more serious problems, such as:

• Advanced tooth decay
• Fractured tooth
• Worn or loose filling
• Exposed tooth roots
• Gum disease

Distracting, Throbbing Pain

Intense, throbbing pain should never be ignored and often requires emergency dental care. This type of discomfort may indicate severe infection or damage that needs immediate attention. If accompanied by symptoms like bleeding or discolored gums, seek professional help without delay.

Effective At-Home Remedies for Tooth Pain Relief

While awaiting professional dental care, several at-home remedies can provide temporary relief from tooth pain. These methods can help manage discomfort and reduce inflammation until you can see a dentist.

Cold Compress Application

A cold compress is an effective way to reduce inflammation and numb the affected area. To use this method:

1. Use a specially designed cold pack or a bag of frozen vegetables
2. Wrap the cold item in a soft cloth or towel to protect your skin
3. Apply the compress to the affected side of your face for 20 minutes at a time
4. Repeat as needed, allowing your skin to return to normal temperature between applications

Cold therapy can help constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the area and thereby lessening pain and swelling.

Warm Compress for Soothing Relief

For those who prefer heat therapy, a warm compress can be equally effective, especially for alleviating soreness. Here’s how to make and use a warm compress:

1. Fill a clean sock with uncooked rice
2. Tie the sock securely
3. Microwave for 2-3 minutes
4. Apply the warm compress to the affected side of your face

The heat from the compress can help interrupt pain signals traveling from your mouth to your brain, providing temporary relief. Be cautious not to apply excessive heat, as this could potentially worsen inflammation.

Anti-Inflammatory Medication

Over-the-counter pain medications, particularly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can effectively reduce tooth pain and inflammation. Recommended options include:

• Ibuprofen (Advil)
• Naproxen (Aleve)

These medications work by reducing inflammation in the affected area, thereby alleviating pain. However, it’s important to remember that while pain relievers can provide temporary comfort, they are not a substitute for professional dental treatment. Use them as a short-term solution while arranging proper dental care.

Natural Rinses for Tooth Pain Management

Natural rinses can be easily prepared at home and offer both pain relief and antibacterial benefits. Two effective options are saltwater and hydrogen peroxide rinses.

Saltwater Rinse

A warm saltwater solution is a simple yet effective remedy for tooth pain. Here’s how to prepare and use it:

1. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt with one cup of warm water
2. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with the solution
3. Spit out the rinse (do not swallow)
4. Repeat 2-3 times daily

Saltwater rinses not only help dull discomfort but also clean the irritated area around your tooth. The salt acts as a natural disinfectant, reducing bacteria in the mouth and potentially speeding up the healing process.

Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse

An alternative to saltwater, hydrogen peroxide rinses can also provide relief and promote oral health. To use this method:

1. Mix equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water
2. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with the solution
3. Spit out the rinse completely (do not swallow)
4. Use once or twice daily

Like saltwater, hydrogen peroxide helps reduce inflammation and gently cleanses the affected tooth and surrounding areas. Its antibacterial properties can help combat oral infections that may be causing or exacerbating tooth pain.

Herbal Remedies and Essential Oils for Tooth Pain

Natural plant-based remedies have been used for centuries to alleviate tooth pain. While scientific evidence varies, many people find relief through these methods.

Clove Oil

Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural anesthetic and antibacterial agent. To use clove oil for tooth pain:

1. Dilute a few drops of clove oil in a carrier oil (such as coconut oil)
2. Apply the mixture to the affected area using a cotton swab
3. Reapply as needed, but avoid overuse as it can irritate gums

The numbing effect of clove oil can provide temporary relief from tooth pain. However, it’s important to use it sparingly and discontinue if any irritation occurs.

Peppermint Tea Bags

Peppermint has mild numbing properties that can help soothe tooth pain. To use this method:

1. Steep a peppermint tea bag in boiling water for a few minutes
2. Remove the tea bag and allow it to cool slightly
3. Apply the warm (not hot) tea bag to the affected area
4. Hold in place for several minutes

The combination of warmth and peppermint’s natural properties can provide gentle relief from tooth pain and reduce inflammation in the surrounding gum tissue.

Dietary Adjustments for Pain Management

What you eat and drink can significantly impact tooth pain. Making temporary dietary adjustments can help manage discomfort and prevent further irritation.

Foods to Avoid

When experiencing tooth pain, it’s best to avoid:

• Extremely hot or cold foods and beverages
• Hard or crunchy foods that require vigorous chewing
• Acidic foods and drinks (citrus fruits, tomatoes, sodas)
• Sugary snacks and beverages

These items can exacerbate pain and potentially worsen the underlying condition causing the toothache.

Recommended Foods

Opt for softer, neutral foods that are easy to consume and less likely to irritate sensitive teeth:

• Smoothies (avoid using ice)
• Yogurt
• Mashed potatoes
• Soft-cooked vegetables
• Oatmeal or other cooked cereals

These foods provide necessary nutrition while minimizing discomfort during eating. Remember to consume them at room temperature to avoid temperature-related pain.

When to Seek Professional Dental Care

While home remedies can provide temporary relief, certain situations require immediate professional attention. Seek dental care if you experience:

• Severe pain that persists for more than a day or two
• Swelling in the face or jaw
• Fever accompanying tooth pain
• Signs of infection (pus, bad taste in the mouth)
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• A broken or knocked-out tooth

These symptoms may indicate serious dental issues that require prompt treatment to prevent complications. Do not delay seeking professional help if you experience any of these signs.

Preventive Measures for Long-Term Oral Health

While addressing current tooth pain is crucial, preventing future occurrences is equally important. Implementing good oral hygiene practices and making lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of tooth pain and other dental issues.

Daily Oral Care Routine

Establish a consistent oral care routine that includes:

• Brushing teeth at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
• Flossing once a day to remove food particles and plaque between teeth
• Using an antiseptic mouthwash to reduce bacteria
• Replacing your toothbrush every 3-4 months or sooner if bristles are frayed

Proper oral hygiene is the foundation of dental health and can prevent many common causes of tooth pain.

Regular Dental Check-ups

Schedule regular dental examinations and cleanings, typically every six months. These visits allow your dentist to:

• Detect early signs of decay or gum disease
• Perform professional cleanings to remove tartar buildup
• Address minor issues before they become major problems
• Provide personalized advice on improving your oral care routine

Consistent dental visits are crucial for maintaining optimal oral health and preventing painful dental conditions.

Lifestyle Modifications

Certain lifestyle changes can contribute to better dental health:

• Limit sugary and acidic foods and beverages
• Quit smoking or using tobacco products
• Wear a mouthguard during sports or if you grind your teeth at night
• Stay hydrated to maintain saliva production, which helps neutralize acids and wash away food particles

These modifications can significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues that lead to tooth pain.

By combining effective at-home remedies with proper oral care and professional dental treatment when necessary, you can effectively manage tooth pain and maintain a healthy, pain-free smile. Remember, while temporary relief is important, addressing the root cause of dental discomfort is crucial for long-term oral health.

8 Proven Tooth Pain Remedies to Numb Toothache Overnight

Do you have a troublesome tooth? Regardless of whether the tooth pain is dull, sharp, or throbbing, you’re probably looking for relief.

As soon as you begin experiencing discomfort, we recommend scheduling an appointment with our dental team. Dr. Sexton can assess your tooth and determine what’s causing the irritation. 

However, in the meantime, it helps to know a few quick fixes that can help you feel better, stat! Today, we’re sharing eight proven tooth pain remedies that can offer immediate relief when you need it the most. 

Understanding Different Types of Toothaches

Before we dive into how to stop tooth pain fast at home, let’s briefly cover the four main categories of toothaches, as well as the common culprits that may be behind them. 

Dull, Consistent Ache

This type of tooth pain isn’t sharp or acute, but it’s persistently bothersome. A few of the common causes include:

• Food stuck between your teeth or in your gums
• An abscessed tooth
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Often, you can fix this problem by simply brushing or flossing. If your dentist links the pain to an abscessed tooth or bruxism, they can recommend professional treatments to reverse either of these conditions.

Sharp Pain

Sharp pain usually requires immediate dental assistance. This type of discomfort is often attributed to a loose crown or filling, which can leave sensitive and damaged parts of your teeth exposed. Other common causes include:

• Tooth fracture
• Tooth decay
• Cracked tooth enamel
• Cavity

Hot or Cold Sensitivity

Did the pain set in when you drank a cold drink or sipped some hot soup? If so, then there’s a chance that your enamel may be worn. Sometimes, avoiding extreme temperatures and switching to a toothpaste for sensitive teeth can make all the difference. 

On the other hand, severe pain that persists for more than 30 seconds could point to a more serious concern. The following issues may lead to acute temperature sensitivity:

• Tooth decay
• Fractured tooth
• Worn or loose filling
• Exposed tooth roots
• Gum disease 

Distracting, Throbbing Pain

Severe, throbbing pain should never be ignored. If your toothache becomes unbearable, it’s best to contact an emergency dentist.

If the issue is urgent, then you should be able to receive treatment that day. Otherwise, you can schedule an appointment for a different day and try at-home remedies that your dentist recommends. Certain problems, such as bleeding or discolored gums, will likely warrant emergency care.

At-Home Tooth Pain Remedies to Try

Looking for emergency toothache relief? The following remedies can help keep your pain at bay as you await an upcoming dental appointment. 

1. Cold Compress

A cold compress helps reduce the inflammation that accompanies most toothaches. You can create one by using a specially formulated cold pack, but a bag of frozen vegetables will also work in a pinch!

Hold the compress to the troublesome side of your face for 20 minutes at a time. Wrap it in a soft cloth or towel to prevent skin irritation. 

2. Warm Compress

If you prefer the therapeutic power of heat, then you can make a warm compress instead. If you don’t have one on hand, you can make one at home. Heat can particularly help alleviate soreness.

Just fill a clean sock with uncooked rice and tie it securely. Then, pop it in the microwave for two to three minutes. When you apply the compress to the affected side of your face, the heat will interrupt the pain signals traveling from your mouth to your brain.

3. Anti-Inflammatory Medication

How do you get rid of a toothache fast? While a compress can lower inflammation, you can also take over-the-counter pain medication designed to achieve the same effect. 

What is the best painkiller for toothache? For best results, stick with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve). However, remember that even the strongest toothache medicine is no substitute for a professional dental treatment, so this should only be a short-term solution.

4. Saltwater Rinse

Before you start Googling, “How can I relieve tooth pain?”, head to the kitchen. You may find that you have everything you need to create an effective at-home remedy.

A warm saltwater solution will not only dull your discomfort but can also help clean the irritated area around your tooth. Just add half a teaspoon of salt to one cup of warm water, rinse, and spit. Repeat this a couple of times per day. 

5. Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse

Don’t love the idea of rinsing with saltwater?

Hydrogen peroxide can work just as well. To create this solution, combine equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water. Rinse thoroughly and spit it out. 

Like saltwater, hydrogen peroxide can reduce inflammation and gently cleanse the affected tooth. Just be sure not to swallow any of the solution.

6. Peppermint Tea Bag

Peppermint is a natural (and delicious!) way to achieve tooth nerve pain relief. To create this treatment, start by brewing a cup of peppermint tea. Allow the tea bag to steep for a few minutes, and then remove it. 

When the tea bag is still warm (but not hot), apply it to the affected area in your mouth. Some people who prefer a cooling sensation like to pop their tea bags in the freezer for a few minutes before use. This can be an especially soothing and relaxing way to relieve toothache at night. 

7. Clove Oil

Clove oil has long been used as a proven way to treat oral pain. Its key ingredient is eugenol, a natural antiseptic that helps sterilize wounds.

You can find this oil at your local grocery store or pharmacy. If you experience tooth pain, dab a small amount of the oil on a clean cotton swab or cotton ball. Then, apply it to the affected area of your tooth.

If the clove oil seems too potent, then you can dilute it with a small amount of water. You can also combine it with a carrier oil, such as olive or almond oil.

8. Garlic

Like clove oil, garlic is another natural ingredient that is well-known for its medicinal properties. How do you stop nerve pain in your tooth? If you have a few cloves of garlic on hand, go ahead and crush it into a paste and apply to the affected area.

The garlic will help kill surrounding bacteria and help numb your ailing tooth. You can also add a little salt to the paste if you prefer.

Find Quick Relief From Tooth Pain

When your tooth hurts, you’ll try just about anything to help yourself feel better. Fortunately, the most common tooth pain remedies involve simple, at-home ingredients that you should already have on hand!

While these eight ideas can help for a short while, it’s always best to let us know when you’re experiencing any type of oral discomfort. Book an appointment online today to schedule a time that works for you!

How To Stop Nerve Pain in My Tooth?

Tooth nerve pain can make even the most enjoyable moments uncomfortable and difficult, like eating your favorite foods. If you’re experiencing nerve pain or sensitivity in your tooth, it’s likely an indication that your tooth is damaged or infected. When a tooth’s nerve gets exposed, it’s likely to respond with sensitivity, discomfort, and pain, especially when eating.

If this sounds familiar, it’s essential to seek the right treatments before the condition worsens. For instance, if your tooth is infected and you don’t treat it in time, it can spread, eventually leading to tooth loss, gum infection, jawbone infection, and other systemic conditions such as sepsis. These issues can cause the need for lengthy, expensive, and invasive treatments.

Causes of Tooth Nerve Pain

Usually, the teeth’s nerves are inside the tooth’s pulp – the innermost part of the tooth.

Nerve pain can fall into two categories:

• Pulp sensitivity or pain results from a tooth infection or decay, recent tooth filling, pressure from bruxism, and dental trauma like chips, cracks, and breaks.
• Dentinal sensitivity is nerve pain that generally happens when the tooth’s enamel is damaged or eroded. The exposed tooth dentin responds to external stimuli such as cold, heat, and acid. Common causes of dentinal sensitivity include receding gums, teeth whitening products, and untreated cavities.

Contact our emergency dentist in Marshfield, MA, if you’re experiencing severe pain or sensitivity.

How to Treat Tooth Nerve Pain

Fortunately, you can do a few things to prevent or treat tooth nerve pain. Once you visit your dentist for an dental exam and cleaning, they will establish the underlying cause and create a treatment plan to address the issue.

Based on the cause of the problem, your dentist can use the following procedures to solve the issue:

• Root canal therapy 

If an infected tooth impacts the tooth’s nerve, the dentist can perform a root canal to remove the decay or infection. The dentist drills through the tooth and removes all damaged or infected nerves and pulp from the tooth. Next, the tooth is cleaned, disinfected, and sealed to prevent re-infection. Next, the dentist fills the tooth and places a dental crown for added strength and protection.

• Dental fillings and crowns

If you have nerve pain or sensitivity caused by cavities or tooth damage, the dentist can repair the tooth with a filling. The dentist can cover the tooth with a crown to prevent sensitivity.

• Medications 

While addressing the underlying condition, the dentist can prescribe medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen to manage pain and infection. You can apply certain gels to the gums and teeth to ease the pain.

Home Remedies

As you wait for professional help, you can try some self-care remedies such as:

• Ice packs or cold compress

Applying an ice pack on the cheek around the painful tooth can help ease pain and swelling. You can do this by wrapping some ice in a towel and keeping it on the cheek for about 15 minutes. Similarly, you can try holding some ice water in your mouth for a few seconds. Don’t bite the ice, as it can cause the tooth to break.

• Saltwater rinse 

Saltwater is a disinfectant and can help control the infection and reduce inflammation. Swishing salt water can also help dislodge substances trapped between your teeth. To make the remedy, mix ½ teaspoon of salt with warm water. Take a sip, swish it around in your mouth for a few seconds, then split.

• Hydrogen peroxide rinse 

Like saltwater, hydrogen peroxide can help reduce infection and inflammation. Rinse thoroughly and split. Don’t swallow the solution.

• Avoid irritants 

You can also reduce or prevent nerve pain by avoiding items that can trigger it. These include:

• Avoid too hot or cold beverages like coffees, teas, sodas, ice cream, or water.
• Avoid too hot food.
• Avoid sugary items such as soda, cookies, and candy.
• Avoid acidic items such as lemon juice, tomatoes, and apple cider vinegar.
• Avoid disturbing the tooth with a finger or tongue.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Are you experiencing tooth sensitivity or pain? Contact Marshfield Dental Group in Marshfield, MA, for an emergency dental appointment.

When your teeth hurt. What to do and how to relieve a toothache

Probably one of the worst pains that a person has is a toothache. When a tooth hurts, it is almost impossible to endure, and then even the most ardent non-lover of dentists goes to “surrender” to the doctor. But not everyone knows why teeth hurt, and how to avoid these unpleasant sensations. Together with the dentist-therapist of the clinic “StilDent” Elena Gennadievna ZIBNITSKA, we will deal with the most common causes of toothache.

The most common causes of toothache are caries, pulpitis, periodontitis, and pericoronitis.

Caries

This is a disease of the hard tissues of the tooth, leading to the destruction of enamel and dentin. First of all, caries affects the natural depressions on the teeth (fissures), as well as areas where plaque accumulates in large quantities – these are the interdental spaces and the gum area. With caries, the hard tissues of the tooth demineralize and soften, and subsequently a defect in the form of a cavity forms on the tooth.

Caries has several stages, the process is initial, superficial, medium and deep. At first, caries is almost asymptomatic – the main inconvenience that a person experiences is associated with food getting stuck in carious cavities. Another symptom of caries, which is usually not paid much attention to, is short-term pain from chemical, mechanical, thermal stimuli. Simply put, damaged enamel no longer protects the tooth from exposure to hot tea or ice water or from mechanical stress, and at this moment we experience pain. But since it only lasts a few seconds, we usually don’t take it seriously.

When the process reaches the last stage – deep caries, then the discomfort becomes difficult to ignore. With deep caries, the patient experiences pain when food and liquid get into the damaged area, pain when brushing teeth (irritation from getting pasta and brushes), pain from any external stimuli, temperature, chemical, mechanical. After the irritant is removed, the pain subsides – until the next episode. At this stage, the quality of life is already significantly reduced. But if a person continues to stubbornly endure and does not go to the doctor, the nerve of the tooth (pulp) is gradually involved in the inflammatory process, and pulpitis begins.

Pulpitis

This is an inflammation of the pulp (nerve) of the tooth, the process is usually accompanied by acute pain. Pulpitis occurs as a reaction to the constant impact of irritants that enter the pulp through the carious cavity, and also due to the influence of microorganisms and toxins on the nerve of the tooth. Irritation of the pulp leads to a change in blood flow, which provokes increased pressure on the nerve fibers.

At the initial stage, pulpitis is manifested by mild pain, which disappears when the irritant is removed. At this stage, the inflammation goes away on its own if the irritant is removed – that is, caries is cured and the tooth is sealed, isolating the pulp from external influences.

If nothing is done, the inflammation gradually increases, and the pain increases. There comes the stage of acute pulpitis, irreversible changes take place in the pulp. Pain is easily caused by any stimulus. The option “do not eat, do not drink, keep your mouth closed” does not save you from pain. Very often, toothache worsens at night.

Pain in acute pulpitis can be very different:

• Sharp or blunt

• Pulsating or constant

• Localized or spilled

• Short term or long term

If you continue to ignore your condition and do not consult a dentist, then the next stage is the complications that are likely to develop with acute pulpitis, including purulent pulpitis.

Purulent pulpitis

This is the most severe form of pulpitis, most often, it ends with pulp necrosis. With purulent pulpitis, the pain becomes especially unbearable and sharp, at night it often intensifies. The pain radiates to the temporal region, to the ear, to the orbit, to other teeth – often in this state it seems to a person that all his teeth already hurt.

Chronic pulpitis

In the most patient patients, acute pulpitis can become chronic. The pain becomes not so sharp and constant, sometimes it subsides for a long time. If the carious cavity is difficult to access for irritants, chronic pulpitis can proceed almost painlessly.

Symptoms of chronic pulpitis

• Pain in the cold

• Pain when eating hot food

• Pain with temperature changes (for example, when you leave the house on a cold street)

• Prolonged aching pain if the carious cavity is clogged with food debris

Chronic pulpitis can worsen at any moment and give you all the unforgettable sensations of acute pulpitis.

If chronic pulpitis is not treated, it can turn into periodontitis.

Acute periodontitis

Periodontitis is an inflammatory process in the periodontal (peripheral) tissues in the region of the apex of the tooth root. Often, inflammation captures the cementum and dentin of the root of the tooth, as well as the alveolar bone. Periodontitis in most cases occurs due to damage to the pulp, that is, pulpitis.

Symptoms

• The pain is constant, throbbing, with a clear localization

• The pain is aggravated by any touch to the tooth, including when chewing.

• Pain may radiate to part of the face

• Headache

• General weakness

• Temperature increase

• Swelling of the cheek

• Gum pain, redness and swelling in it

• Enlarged submandibular and submental lymph nodes

• Possible discharge of pus from the root canal

Chronic periodontitis

Chronic periodontitis sometimes develops asymptomatically or acute periodontitis can pass into this stage. Chronic periodontitis develops when the pulp dies, and favorable conditions are created in the tooth for the development of microorganisms. Sometimes chronic periodontitis can appear after a tooth injury.

Symptoms

• Changing the color of tooth enamel

• The presence of a fistula on the gum

• Pain when chewing solid food

Chronic periodontitis can have many very serious complications: granuloma, root cyst, pathological fracture of the lower jaw, periapical abscess, cellulitis, and others.

Pericoronite

This is difficult eruption of wisdom teeth (eights). In the case when the tooth cannot erupt normally, inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding it and the periosteum behind the tooth fossa begins. The inflamed gum is constantly injured when chewing, which further aggravates the process.

The inflammatory process can gradually lead to the development of purulent pericoronitis.

Symptoms:

• Constant pain that gets worse when chewing

• Pain radiates to the ear and temporal region

• Pain when opening the mouth

• Enlargement and tenderness in the submandibular lymph nodes

• Sharp pain when pressing on the gums, purulent discharge is possible

• Increase in body temperature

In the future, the pain continues to intensify, the body temperature rises. The patient’s state of health worsens significantly, and the development of postmolar periostitis is possible.

How to avoid toothache?

In fact, everything is very simple.

The general condition of the teeth affects the general condition of the body, and the way of life of a person. If a person leads a healthy lifestyle, eats a balanced diet, is attentive to oral hygiene, then he has much more chances to keep his teeth in perfect order.

Visit the dentist regularly – it is advisable to carry out preventive examinations once or twice a year, ideally they should be combined with professional hygienic cleaning of the teeth, followed by fluoridation and strengthening of the enamel.

Your doctor will help you find the right toothpaste and brush, and show you how to brush your teeth properly. Be sure to use dental floss and mouthwash.

Please note: some very serious dental diseases can be completely asymptomatic! And it is possible to detect them only at the stage when it is no longer possible to save the tooth. Therefore, regular preventive visits to the dentist are necessary for everyone!

Services

Therapeutic dentistry

caries treatment

Pulpitis treatment

Treatment of periodontitis

Tooth cyst treatment

How to get rid of a toothache (how to get rid of it quickly), what to do if a tooth hurts

A toothache can catch you at the most inconvenient moment: on a hike, in the country or somewhere abroad. And then the old song “We would stand the night, we would hold out the day” comes to mind. Hold out, of course, until a visit to the doctor.

In this article we tell you what to do if you have a toothache, how to relieve pain quickly and competently, about the causes and consequences of toothache, and also when you need to urgently run to the dentist 🏃‍♂️

Contents

1. Why does it hurt?
2. Features of the sore
3. Is it possible to endure?
4. How to remove – strong means
5. How to deal with pain at home?

Why does my tooth hurt?

Enamel This is the hardest part of the body, 97% consists of minerals. There are no nerve endings here, which means it cannot get sick. But with thinning of the enamel, increased sensitivity to hot, cold, sour may appear.

Dentin More porous and softer than enamel. Consists of 70% minerals, 20% organic matter, and 10% water. Dentin also has no nerve endings. But if caries has reached the dentin, due to the proximity of the pulp, strong sensitivity can already develop, and then soreness.

Pulp This is the soft “core” that fills the root canal. It is here that the nerve endings and vessels that innervate and feed the tooth are located. The more acute the toothache, the more likely it is that caries has “gnawed through” the enamel and dentin, getting close to the pulp – pulpitis occurs. In most cases, the inflamed pulp has to be removed and the canals filled.

Periodontium Connective tissue that holds the tooth in the socket and provides it with nutrition. There are fewer nerve endings in the periodontium than in the pulp, but they are present, so inflammation of the periodontium (periodontitis) is accompanied by pain. The cause of periodontitis can be untreated pulpitis, local trauma, unsuccessful dental intervention.

Periosteum (periosteum) Dense connective tissue surrounding the jawbone. Permeated with vessels and nerve endings, so periostitis is painful. Most often it occurs due to pulpitis, periodontitis, acute gingivitis.

Gums Soft tissue that holds the tooth in the socket and protects the root from external influences. Inflammatory gum disease – periodontitis, gingivitis, is also painful, but in this case there will be no sharp pain, but rather aching pain.

Features of toothache in various diseases

• Periodontitis
• Superficial caries, thinning of enamel
• Caries of the middle layers
• deep caries
• Pulpitis
• Periostitis (flux)
• Inflammatory gum disease

Superficial caries, thinning of enamel

Discomfort on contact with hot, cold, sweet, sour food A sick tooth can whine for a short time, hurt when biting. The carious cavity can be seen or felt with the tongue.

Deep caries

The infection penetrates deeper and closer to the pulp. Soreness intensifies, becomes longer, sometimes pulsating. The destruction of the tooth is clearly visible, it turns black.

Pulpitis

The main symptom of acute pulpitis is sharp, sharp, shooting pain. Pain can spread throughout the jaw, give to the ear. Often a person cannot understand what kind of tooth he suffers from. Contact with cold or hot food, attempts to chew on the affected side, become unbearable. Spontaneous attacks of toothache often occur and intensify at night, and then the question is how to fall asleep and endure until morning.

Periodontitis

Pain sensations are not sharp, but aching, but strong. A tooth can “wine on one note” for several days in a row. A characteristic sign of periodontitis is a darkened and cyanotic gum. Untreated periodontitis can be complicated by a dental abscess. A person feels that the diseased tooth has risen in the hole and has become higher than the rest. A fever develops, the tooth becomes mobile, the cheek swells.

Periostitis (flux)

This is an inflammation of the periosteum. It is characterized by redness and swelling of the mucous membranes in the affected area. The most noticeable symptom is cheek swelling. Non-infectious periostitis usually occurs with moderate symptoms. But the purulent one proceeds more severely, with severe intoxication. Redness, swelling of the gums, asymmetry of the face are strongly manifested. The temperature rises, the pain syndrome becomes more pronounced and intensifies when biting, it reacts sharply to cold and heat. The submandibular, behind the ear, and sometimes cervical lymph nodes are enlarged. Fistulas often form, through which pus enters the oral cavity. Purulent periostitis threatens with a dangerous and even deadly complication – phlegmon of the jaw.

Inflammatory gum disease

Manifested not by acute, but by aching pain. Sensitivity develops, the gum turns red, swells, bleeds.

Other causes of toothache

Pain of varying intensity may occur after medical interventions – canal treatment, implant placement, removal. In addition, after whitening procedures, sensitivity may temporarily increase. If the pain does not last long and gradually fades, this is considered normal.

How long can discomfort last after dental procedures:

• After canal filling Moderate or slight aching pain. Discomfort when biting. Normally, they can be observed within 3-5 days after the procedure. Read more 👉 why a tooth can hurt after nerve removal and what to do.
• After implant placement This is a surgical operation, so the intervention site may hurt up to 10 days on average. Read more about 👉 normal pain after implantation.
• After tooth extraction May be sore for 3-5 days. If the pain does not subside, increases, or the temperature rises, consult a doctor. Find out 👉 what to do after removing unit

What can you confuse a toothache with?

• Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve It lies close to the roots of the teeth, so often when it is inflamed, a person begins to feel a pulling “pain in the teeth”, which can spread to the entire jaw.
• ENT diseases (sinusitis, sinusitis, otitis media) It is especially difficult to diagnose young children who cannot tell exactly where and how it hurts.
• Stress 😲 Surprisingly, strong experiences can make your teeth hurt, especially at night.

Is it possible to endure a toothache?

As they say, nothing is impossible – it’s all about the consequences for your health.

If you suddenly have increased sensitivity, there is a short-term aching pain when biting – it’s time for an appointment at the dental clinic. In this case, there is a chance to get off with little blood – that is, treatment without depulpation. But if you postpone a visit to the dentist for a week or two (not for six months!), this is unlikely to lead to serious complications, although the chances of keeping the tooth “alive” every day will be less and less.

With a certain persistence 💪 or a high pain threshold, you can also endure acute pain. But it must be remembered that this phase of the disease is already fraught with serious complications. You will feel better for a while, but there are no reasons for joy here – this means that the nervous tissue has “died” and simply stopped sending distress signals. At the same time, the inflammatory process, most likely, will not go anywhere, but will go further. And this means that you are threatened with periodontitis, periostitis, cysts and abscesses. In this case, tooth loss is almost guaranteed.

But the main danger is that the infection with blood and lymph will “walk” throughout the body, threatening not only with dental diseases, but also with sinusitis, osteomyelitis, inflammation of the heart muscle, joints, and even blood poisoning.

Therefore, the problem “how to remove a toothache” should not remain relevant for too long – it is better to make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible, even if it is scary. 😖 Fear of the dental chair is a relic of the past. In modern clinics, patients are treated carefully and without pain.

When to see a dentist urgently

The following symptoms indicate that you have developed purulent complications and the tooth needs to be urgently opened:

• Nothing helps, even strong painkillers “in horse doses”.
• The temperature has risen, especially 38℃ or higher.
• The cheek swells, an abscess has appeared on the gum, the gum is bursting, there is an unpleasant smell from the mouth.

Urgently go to the doctor’s office – you must be seen without waiting in line as a patient with acute pain. If this happened at night, go to the dentist on duty, her contacts can be found on the Internet.

What to do – how to relieve a toothache quickly

Pain is a symptom of an inflammatory process. This means that in order for it to go away, it is necessary to reduce the swelling caused by exposure to pathogenic bacteria. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) quickly and effectively fight pain and inflammation. They may differ slightly in purpose and strength of impact, but in general they will work as we need:

• anesthetize,
• remove swelling,
• relieve inflammation,
• “bring down” the elevated temperature.

And that means an unequivocal answer to the question “what helps with toothache the fastest?” will be NSAIDs.

❗ The side effects of these drugs are also similar – all, to one degree or another, negatively affect the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines, so they should be used with extreme caution in patients with gastrointestinal diseases. Nothing will happen from one or two times, but you should not drink these drugs for a long time.

In addition, NSAIDs thin the blood and can adversely affect the functioning of the liver and kidneys. A significant part of them is not recommended for pregnant, lactating women, children – we recommend a detailed article 👉 a toothache during pregnancy, which is possible / impossible. Part is allowed with caution and proper dosage.

No NSAIDs with alcohol ☝️

It is highly undesirable to take NSAIDs with alcohol, as the load on the liver increases many times over. If you combine the intake of nonsteroidal drugs, the effect is enhanced, but the risk of side effects will also increase sharply.

You can buy NSAIDs without a prescription at any pharmacy. But, if not only the question of how to relieve a toothache is important to you, but also how to do it safely, be sure to read the instructions before using analgesics. Better yet, consult a doctor.

Top 6 medicines for toothache

The most effective NSAIDs (the active substance is indicated in brackets):

1. Analgin (metamizole sodium), tempalgin (metamizole sodium + tempidone) “A time-tested classic”. Strong analgesic, anti-inflammatory agent. Use with caution in children. Pregnant and lactating is contraindicated. Tempidone enhances the analgesic properties of metamizole and increases the duration of its action. Favorably affects the emotional component of pain, reducing anxiety, fear and tension. Do not use in children under the age of 15, pregnant and lactating.
2. Nise, Nimesil (nimesulide) Relieves pain, inflammation, fever. Special forms of medicine are allowed for children. Use with caution in elderly patients. Pregnant and lactating is contraindicated.
3. Ibuprom, Nurofen, Nurofen Plus (ibuprofen) Drugs with a pronounced analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect. Nurofen Plus and Nurofen Plus N contain codeine, which dilates blood vessels, relieves spasm and enhances the analgesic effect. Allowed for children, the elderly, pregnant women (except for the last trimester).
4. Ketonal, OKI, Flamax (ketoprofen) Effective for moderate to severe pain of various origins, including toothache. Appointed after surgery. Contraindicated in children under 15 years of age. Pregnant women are prescribed in the first and second trimester if the expected benefit outweighs the expected harm.
5. Ketorol, Ketanov (Ketorolac) Fast-acting strong pain reliever. Not indicated for pregnancy, lactation, children under 16 years old
6. Paracetamol is not an NSAID. Recommended for pain syndrome of weak and moderate intensity, strong antipyretic.

What medicines for toothache can pregnant women and children

For pregnant women, toothache is a real problem. Of course, it is better to cope without pills, folk remedies. But, if it doesn’t help, drink paracetamol. It can be prescribed at any time and at usual dosages. In the 1st and 2nd trimesters, ibuprofen and ketoprofen are also allowed. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, nimesulide, in special doses, are approved for children. Ibuprofen and paracetamol from 6 months, nimesulide – from 2 years.

How to relieve toothache at home without pills

• Apply a cold compress to the cheek, a piece of ice ❄️ wrapped in a cloth. Cold constricts blood vessels, relieves swelling and inhibits the spread of infection. At the same time, care must be taken to prevent frostbite – do not apply ice directly to the skin, especially for a long time.
• Thoroughly but gently brush teeth using dental floss and brushes, then rinse. This method is suitable for a feeling of fullness and discomfort caused by pieces of food stuck in the interdental spaces.
• Put a cotton swab moistened with alcohol solution into the carious hole. For example, diluted alcohol, vodka, alcohol tincture of calendula flowers, propolis. This procedure helps fight infection and inflammation.
• Rinse your mouth 👅 with a diluted 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, miramistin, furacilin, or chlorhexidine. Disinfects, softens plaque, relieves inflammation. Also effective in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the gums (gingivitis, periodontitis, stomatitis). Using a high concentration solution threatens to burn the mucous membranes, so before rinsing, carefully read the instructions on how to properly dilute these drugs. Hydrogen peroxide must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:11.
• Gargle with soda or saline solutions (1 teaspoon per glass of water, 2 drops of iodine can be added). Disinfects, relieves swelling by reducing the osmotic pressure in the tissues. In addition to carious pain, it is recommended for discomfort after eating, root canal treatment.
• Rinse the mouth with decoctions of herbs with anti-inflammatory properties (chamomile, St. John’s wort, sage, calendula flowers, oak bark). Steam 2 tablespoons of herbs with a glass of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes. Before rinsing, cool to a warm or “room” state.
• Do a point massage. The acupuncture points that are “responsible for the teeth” are located between the thumbs and forefingers, under the earlobes, on the side of the index finger 2–3 mm below the nail. They need to be pressed rhythmically, tangibly, but without fanaticism.
• Try to be distracted 👨‍💻 Do something that requires maximum concentration, or something exciting.

Do’s and Don’ts

Can

• Take painkillers
• Apply alcohol compress
• Rinse with antiseptic solutions
• Clean interdental spaces
• Massage specific points
• Try to distract or sleep

Do not

• Do not take antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription. Even if it once helped a neighbor or great aunt.
• Lie horizontally without a pillow. Blood will rush more strongly to the diseased area, and soreness will intensify.
• Indulge in painkillers: take them in handfuls and for a long time. Especially if you have problems with your stomach and intestines.
• Apply heat to the affected area. This can provoke or intensify purulent processes.
• Drink hot drinks. All drinks and food should be warm or at room temperature.

Prevention of toothache

To prevent this trouble from happening to you (and this happens, as luck would have it, the most inopportune moment), always visit a doctor before traveling to any place where it is difficult or insanely expensive to get medical care.