If you get a toothache you want to do what you can to get rid of it until you can go in to see your dentist. The dentist will be able to treat the problem and help with the toothache, but you may not always be able to get in to see them right away. If you get caught with a toothache then reading the information in this article can help you to get through it while you wait for your appointment.

Preventing a toothache

The best thing you can do is to try to avoid a toothache in the first place. A few ways you can do this include:

• Not using your teeth to open packages
• Not eating foods or drinks that are excessively hot or cold if you are prone to tooth sensitivity
• Not eating or chewing anything too hard such as ice or hard candies
• Not eating foods high in acids or sugars
• Going in to the dentist as soon as you realize you have lost a filling
• Going in promptly to have dental issues treated as soon as they occur
• Wearing a mouth guard when playing contact sports or putting yourself at an increased risk of dental injury from other risky activities

Dealing with a toothache

If you do get a toothache then you want to start fighting it as soon as you feel it coming on. The first thing you should do is get a call in to your dentist and ask for the next available appointment they have. Then, you should take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help control the pain.

With a severe toothache, you may need more than medication to stop the hurting. Most pharmacies sell topical toothache gels, but these don't always work on everyone. Therefore, you should try them, but keep in mind that it's a good idea to consider some home remedy options as well.

Clove oil can do a great job of relieving a toothache. An easy way to use clove oil is to soak a cotton ball or a small piece of gauze in it and apply it directly on the tooth that's bothering you. You will feel a stinging sensation when you first apply the clove oil, then the area will feel better.

Garlic is another remedy known for relieving the pain of a toothache. You can take a small clove of garlic and gently chew on it with the tooth that hurts. You should feel relief within just a few moments of chewing on it.

Now that you are better prepared to fend off and/or deal with a toothache, you can help yourself feel better while you wait for your dental appointment.

To learn more, contact a family dentistry clinic like Kappenman Family Dental.