How to Temporarily Ease Dental Pain

Until a Dentist is Available, Some Help Can be Found

Sep 8, 2009 Kathleen Klein

It's Saturday afternoon on a long weekend. First there's a twinge, then more. Full-fledged pain in a tooth. Throbbing. The dentist can't be reached. What to do?

Few things can make a weekend (or a night with no sleep) drag like tooth pain. While waiting (and waiting) until a dentist can be seen, there are a few things that might tame the pain temporarily. (These tips are not to be used instead of counsel from a dentist and are not to be construed as professional advice.)

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Pain Relievers

OTC pain relievers can often take the edge off of a toothache, dull it to some extent. Even if the pain is not totally gone, it may be at a low enough level for the sufferer to concentrate at work or get some sleep at night. Dental pain is one of the worst types of pain to deal with, depending on the particular problem, and OTC pain medicine doesn’t always help. On the other hand, for many people, ibuprofen works wonders when a prescription drug (hydrocodone is common for dental pain) doesn’t touch it.

Topical over-the-counter pain medication can also provide temporary relief. Numbing agents such as those used for teething babies are sold for dental pain. Use sparingly and, as with all medications, read labels carefully. Make sure there are no drug interactions.

Salt Water

The old wives’ tale about salt water being a remedy for a multitude of ailments is still true today. Salt water can help a small cut heal (saline is used in speeding healing of deeper wounds) and gargling warm salt water can make a sore throat feel better. By the same token, swishing warm salt water around in the mouth can often ease the pain, for a short time, of a sore tooth and/or accompanying inflamed gum that can be contributing to the pain. Repeat as necessary.

Tea Bag

Place a wet tea bag gently on the painful tooth. Let the wet tea drip down around and, if possible, bite down very gently. Tannic acid in the tea has been touted as a homeopathic dental pain reliever by many. Leave on as long as comfortable and replace as necessary.

Ice

While one would not chew on ice with a toothache, holding a baggie or washcloth full of ice on the cheek can help numb the affected area. The coldness may not be comfortable for very long so repeat as necessary. As long as the cheek is numb, pain may be dulled.

Pressure Points

There are a number of pressure points on the body that, when pressure is applied, can give temporary pain relief. For relief of dental pain, those pressure points are on the face and head, and the Achilles tendon.

To use the Achilles tendon pressure point, locate the tendon that attaches the lower leg to the heel. With thumb and forefinger, grab the tendon about an inch from the ground. Squeeze tight. It will hurt. Hold as long as possible. Notice if pain is still in the tooth when tightening in the Achilles tendon is loosened. Repeat as needed.

The copyright of the article How to Temporarily Ease Dental Pain in Health Field is owned by Kathleen Klein. Permission to republish How to Temporarily Ease Dental Pain in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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