8 Dentist-Approved Remedies to Treat Tooth Pain Relief at Home (2024)

Discover eight dentist-approved remedies to manage tooth pain outside the dentist’s office

If you’re desperately scouring the web for ways to relieve your tooth pain, you’ve come to the right place.

Toothaches turn eating into a chore and can ruin your focus, your mood, and your sleep. If you’re dealing with a bad one right now, chances are you’re willing to climb Mount Everest in a bathing suit to get some relief.

While there’s no better remedy than visiting your San Diego dentist, if it’s one in the morning and you can’t sleep, or your dentist isn’t open yet, home remedies can help you manage your tooth pain in the meantime.

To keep you sane until your checkup, we compiled this list of eight dentist-approved remedies using everyday items you’re likely to find in your house.

But before we get started, let us make this abundantly clear. We built this list to give you relief until you can make it to the dentist. None of the items below will cure your toothache, and we strongly encourage you to make an appointment as soon as possible for the good of your smile.

We know that financial obstacles can get in the way, but avoiding the dentist will only allow the issue to worsen, leading to more costly treatments down the road.

That’s why it’s important to find a dentist who will work with you to provide the care you need within your budget. If you need help choosing a dentist near you, we’ve put together some useful tips here.

1. Salt Water Rinse

Does salt water help tooth pain? Rinsing with salt water is one of the oldest tooth pain-treating tricks in the book, quite literally. Historical records indicate toothache victims in ancient China gargled with saltwater to temporarily relieve their pain.

And there’s a reason this method stood the test of time.

Thanks to a process called osmosis, salt drains the water out of certain oral bacteria, essentially neutralizing it. This antibacterial quality makes saltwater a useful tool for fighting tooth pain and reducing inflammation.

To ease your tooth pain, mix half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of water and swish for thirty seconds. This method is an excellent way to manage pain caused by oral infections, ulcers, or tooth extractions and dentures.

2. Baking Soda

If a thief broke into your house and stole all your salt, look around for some baking soda.

Well, the question is, “does baking soda help with tooth pain?” Yes, Baking sodafor sensitive teeth is a powerful dental care secret weapon with a wide variety of uses. When you rinse with this everyday household item, pain relief is just one of the many benefits your teeth can enjoy.

Baking soda for tooth pain relief also balances the pH levels in your mouth, protecting your teeth from high acidity, curing bad breath, and keeping gingivitis at bay.

How to get rid of toothache pain? If you have a toothache or painful mouth sore, mix two teaspoons of baking soda into a glass of water and use it as a mouthwash. This baking soda toothache will help you get rid of tooth pain.

At Home Remedies for Tooth Pain: You often need instant medication because you cannot bear the pain more. You can rinse your mouth with salt or use ice on the numb area to relieve the pain.

And if you want to go the extra mile, put a pinch of baking soda on your toothbrush and brush away!

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another great choice if you’re struggling with tooth pain. If you don’t already have some in your medicine cabinet, you can find it at most drug stores and supermarkets.

Whereas saltwater has natural disinfectant qualities, peroxide directly attacks harmful bacteria to protect your mouth from infection and ease your pain.

It can also help soothe pain caused by ulcers and sore throats and is a common ingredient in many Permanent Teeth Whitening products.

For temporary relief, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water and swish for thirty seconds. Just be careful not to swallow.

4. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Anti-inflammatory medications like Motrin, Advil, and Tylenol can make your tooth pain more manageable while you wait to see your San Diego dentist.

If you’ve ever had a minor restoration put in, your dentist may have recommended these over-the-counter options to help with your recovery.

Anti-inflammatories can briefly reduce your swelling and the head pressure that often comes with toothaches, providing much-needed relief. Be sure to consult with your doctor before using these medications and take them only as directed.

5. Ice or Cold Compress

Just as you would with a sprained ankle, you can apply ice or a cold compress to the affected tooth to ease your swelling and discomfort.

If you’re using a bag of ice or frozen vegetables, wrap it in a towel and place it on the side of your face that’s causing you trouble. Hold it there in intervals of fifteen to twenty minutes, resting fifteen to twenty minutes between applications.

The cold will help with the swelling and provide a slight numbing effect for temporary pain relief. If you find you’re having trouble sleeping, applying ice or a cold compress before bed may alleviate your tooth pain enough for you to get a good night’s sleep again.

6. Peppermint Tea Bags

Ready to get a little creative? As you may know, peppermint can have a slight numbing effect. This unique trait is all thanks to something called menthol.

Menthol is what makes your mouth feel cool and fresh whenever you suck on a peppermint. And with used peppermint tea bags, you can put this naturally numbing ingredient to work for your toothache.

After brewing some peppermint tea, remove the tea bags and allow them to cool. You can even put them in the freezer for a little to speed up the process. Once they’re cool enough to comfortably place in your mouth, apply to the affected tooth and hold for fifteen to twenty minutes.

7. Vanilla Extract

Another common household item, vanilla extract contains alcohol, which can temporarily numb your toothache. It’s also been proven to have antioxidant properties. To apply, simply dab with your finger or a cotton ball and place it on your tooth until you feel it working its magic.

We recommend using vanilla extract as a backup plan if none of the above options work out, as things like ice and over-the-counter medicine will be more effective at reducing your pain and discomfort.

8. Garlic

If all else fails – if you have none of the items listed above and all the drug stores are closed – it might be time to head to the kitchen.

Yes, believe it or not, one of the world’s favorite vegetables has been proven to have antibacterial qualities when exposed to oral bacteria.

For minor toothache relief, you can crush up some garlic into a paste, add some salt for taste, and apply it to your tooth. Or, simply chew on a fresh clove.

Either way, make sure you brush your teeth afterward, or you may notice people staying a safe distance away from you!

The Best Dentist-Approved Toothache Remedy at Home

If you find yourself experiencing tooth pain, it can be easy to assume the worst. And with the financial burden to consider, going to the dentist can seem out of the question.

But it’s crucial to think about what can happen if you don’t seek treatment. Tooth aching is a serious warning sign that can occur for several different reasons. They can be a sign of oral infection, decay, an abscess, or a damaged tooth.

If left untreated, these issues can fester and cause serious complications that require much more expensive treatments than minor restorations like fillings.

The best way to cure your toothache and avoid severe problems is to pay a visit to your San Diego dentist as soon as possible.

Kill Tooth Pain Nerve in 3 Seconds Permanently

If you are feeling toothache and tooth pain, which is unbearable, visit the dentist. Your dentist will prescribe the painkiller and other medication to kill the pain immediately.

At Dental Express, we understand how intimidating dental bills can be, which is why we put your oral health first.

Our mission is to leave your smile healthier than when we found it, and we’re always willing to adapt your dental care plan around your individual needs and budget.

We believe everyone deserves quality dental care, and we’re happy to do whatever we can to take the financial stress out of the equation.

If you’re in the San Diego area and you’re struggling with a toothache, please don’t hesitate to call us at any of our six locations. We’d love to give you back your pain-free smile!

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