I have a serious toothache! What can I do until I can get in with the dentist?
Question:
Answers:
You could always take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). However, be aware that you will still need to see a dentist; If you mask the pain with a painkiller and ignore it, the infection can spread and could even become life threatening.
(1) Rinse Your Toothache - Take a mouthful of water (at body temperature) and rinse vigorously, says Dr. Taintor. If your toothache is caused by trapped food, a thorough rinse may dislodge the problem.
(2) Floss Gently - If swishing doesn't work, you can try to pry the popcorn hulls or tiny bits of meat out from between your teeth by flossing, says Dr. Taintor. Be gentle! Your gums are likely to be sore.
(3) Suck On A Moist Teabag - Place it as close to the aching tooth as possible.
(4) Rinse with Salty Water - After each meal and at bedtime, stir 1 teaspoon of salt into an 8-ounce glass of water (again, at body temperature), says Dr. Corn. Hold each mouthful, roll it around your mouth. Spit.
(5) Massage with Ice - Rub an ice cube into the V-shaped area where the bones of the thumb and forefinger meet. Gently push the ice over the tooth ache area for 5 to 7 minutes. In a study, Ronald Melzack, Ph.D., a Canadian researcher and past president of the International Association for the Study of Pain, found ice massage eased toothache pain in 60 to 90 percent of the people who tried it. His research shows this procedure works by sending rubbing impulses along the nerve pathways that the toothache pain would normally travel on. Since the pathways can carry only one signal at a time, rubbing outweighs the pain.
(6) Use Oil of Cloves - People have been using this over-the-counter remedy for many years, says Richard Shepard, D.D.S., a retired dentist in Durango, Colorado. Most drugstores carry tiny bottles of the oil. Drop a little directly onto the tooth, or dab a little on a cotton ball and pack the elixir next to the tooth ache. If you have a whole clove, place a whole clove between the aching tooth and your cheek. It can be held in place by holding your finger on the outside of the cheek. Chew the cloves a little to release their juice, then leave them in place for half an hour or so or until the pain subsides.
Refer to http://www.discountdental4u.net/toothache.htm
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