972-908-0401
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Instagram
  • tiktok
Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics
A PROUD MEMBER OF THE JEFFERSON DENTAL FAMILY
  • Find an Office
  • Savings Plan
  • Payment Options
    • Private InsuranceWe accept most dental insurance plans.
    • Dental Savings PlanOur Dental Savings Plan saves patients who don’t have insurance up to 50% off services.
    • Government PlansWe accept many child and adult Medicaid, Chip and Medicare plans.
    • Dental Payment PlansWe offer flexible financing programs with no interest (if eligible), giving you the freedom to prioritize your dental care needs.
  • Services
    • General Services
      • Preventative Dental Services
      • Teeth Cleaning
      • Dental Crowns
      • Dental Fillings
      • Dental Bridges
      • Emergency Dental Care
      • Current Specials and Discounts
    • Specialty Services
      • Invisalign Clear Aligners
      • Dental Laser Therapy
      • Pediatric Dentistry – Dentists for Children
      • Braces and Orthodontics
      • Gum Disease Treatment
      • Emergency Tooth Extraction
      • Endodontist Root Canal Treatment
      • Affordable Dentures
      • 3D Dental Scan & AI Technology
      • Current Specials and Discounts
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • Affordable Dental Implants
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Affordable Dental Veneers
      • Current Specials and Discounts
  • About Us
    • Careers
      • Dentists
      • Dental Hygienists
      • Office Team Members
      • Support Center
    • Blog
    • Press
home-remedies-for-toothache
HomeBlogHome Remedies For Toothache: What Works?

Home Remedies For Toothache: What Works?

On March 8, 2022 Written and Reviewed by JDC Content Committee

If you’ve recently experienced throbbing, aching, or sharp pains in your teeth, you may have found yourself seeking desperate methods for relief. Over the years, many home remedies have made the rounds when it comes to addressing minor tooth pain while waiting for a dental appointment. Knowing the “why” behind tooth irritation goes a long way in figuring out if a natural solution for a toothache will ultimately work in your favor. Point blank, prior to figuring out the perfect remedy for tooth pain, it’s important to get to the root of what’s causing your discomfort and the easiest way to find out what has your tooth aching is to schedule an appointment with one of the friendly dentists at Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics.

What Are The Potential Causes Of Toothache?

Minor tooth irritation can be caused from anything from having food stuck between your teeth in the lining of your gums (popcorn is a prime culprit when it comes to tooth pain from food) to a bacterial infection. Temporary gum irritation may be easily treated with remedies at home, however, pain that lasts more than a few days may signal a far more serious issue. In the case of the latter, a dentist appointment is highly recommended to rule out dental or mouth problems.

Why Is Toothache Worse At Night?

Tooth pain is unpleasant no matter what time of day it occurs, however, a lot of people find that their toothaches flare up when they’re simply trying to get a good night’s rest. Tooth pain worsening at night can be caused for several reasons, including:

  • Tooth Grinding – Bruxism, or grinding your teeth, often leads to patients waking up with tooth pain so severe that it may even lead to severe headaches and jaw alignment issues. Because nightly teeth grinding occurs when you’re asleep, many people don’t even realize they’re doing it until they wake with significant tooth pain. 
  • Change in Blood Circulation – If your tooth hurts during the day, you may find that the pain takes a turn for the worse when you’re trying to sleep due to the change in blood circulation when you lie down. In the lying position, blood rushes to the head, allowing the increase in blood flow to place more pressure on painful areas of the mouth.
  • Late Night Snacking – Does your sweet tooth come calling just before bedtime? Failing to properly brush your teeth at night means leaving that sugar to feed plaque and produce acid all night long. Too many occurrences can lead to cavities, excessive tooth decay, and gum disease. 

What Home Remedies Really Work For Toothache?

Before falling into a rabbit hole of natural herbs and oils to cure tooth pain, it cannot be overstated that scheduling an appointment with your dentist is the best line of defense against tooth pain. A visit to one of the Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics offices may seem like a lot of trouble, but it is the only way to be certain of the cause of persistent tooth aches. That being said, if you’re looking to try your hand at curing that toothache at home, here are a few of the tried-and-true home remedies that are available.

Rinsing with salt water

A simple mix of ½ a teaspoon of salt and a glass of warm (not hot) water may be all you need to clear a minor toothache. Swishing the mixture around as you would when gargling can help loosen stuck debris and food particles that may be causing irritation. Salt water is also a natural disinfectant and can help to reduce inflammation that occurs with painful gums.

Hot or cold compresses

If you’re experiencing tooth pain that has been caused by trauma, you’ll most certainly want to see your dentist for further evaluation and treatment. In the meantime, using a cold or hot compress can help alleviate pain by reducing swelling and inflammation and constricting the blood vessels in your gums. 

Clove oil

Clove oil is a home toothache remedy that has been used for centuries. It may seem a bit odd to use one fall’s favorite spices to treat painful gums, however, clove contains a natural antiseptic which makes it rather effective for numbing tooth pain and calming gums that have become inflamed due to irritation.

Anti-inflammatory medication

Ready to reach for the pills? Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication including ibuprofen (Advil®), acetaminophen (Tylenol®), and naproxen (Aleve®) are all approved to help reduce pain and inflammation associated with tooth pain.

Sleep upright

As previously mentioned, lying down causes excessive blood circulation to the areas specific to your tooth pain. Sleeping upright until you can visit your dentist’s office may help ease worsening tooth pain while you’re trying to get a good night’s rest.

Hydrogen peroxide rinse

There’s a reason a lot of toothpaste brands tout hydrogen peroxide as an ingredient. It kills the bacteria that’s known to cause plaque…and an abundance of plaque is known to cause tooth pain. Hydrogen peroxide is also used as a healing agent for bleeding gums. Due to its strength, if you’re using this method as a mouthwash to help cure a toothache, you’ll want to make sure it’s properly diluted by mixing 3% hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water.

When To Get Emergency Dental Treatment

As with any pain, the spectrum may run from minor to major but there are certain symptoms that signal an emergency visit to your dentist. If you experience any signs of an abscessed tooth, for example, it’s important to seek emergency treatment right away. The following symptoms are ones you should be on the lookout for when you have a toothache: 

  • Red, swollen gums
  • A fever
  • A swollen, red bump in the mouth
  • Blood or pus
  • Throbbing pain
  • Unpleasant or salty taste in the mouth
  • Swollen face or jaw
  • A broken or severely chipped tooth

If any of the above symptoms seem familiar, call one of our dentists immediately.

 

Truth be told, toothaches are, well, a pain. Sometimes it even seems like the pain worsens based on just how long you have to wait to get to the dentist. Hopefully, one of the home remedies we’ve mentioned can be of help while you’re waiting for your appointment. Once your visit is complete, you’ll be well on your way back to a healthy, pain-free smile.

Our Jefferson Dental Content Committee supports our team by educational and informational articles related to what we do, oral care tips, and current events in our communities.

This blog provides general information and discussions about oral health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, dental advice, diagnosis or treatment. This blog does not constitute the practice of any medical, dental or other professional health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this blog or website.

If you or any other person has an oral health concern, you should consult with your dentist or seek other professional dental treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical/dental advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog, website or in any linked materials. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please visit your local Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics office — we accept walk-ins.

Related Stories

Traders Village Sponsor

Jefferson Dental Sponsors Traders Village

On January 5, 2013

Read More
children-smiling-clean-teeth

“Jeffy” Motivates Local Kids to Keep Their Teeth Clean

On May 23, 2013

Read More
What is periodontal disease, Gum disease symptoms and treatment

Don’t Wait Till It Hurts: Periodontal Disease

On June 20, 2013

Read More
© 2017 - Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics
  • Careers
  • Notice of Data Event
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Nondiscriminatory Policy
6916cc2dd6