How to Relieve a Toothache at Home
Do you have a severe toothache? If so, call our office and we’ll see you for emergency dental care. During your appointment, Dr. Langellier will examine your teeth and gums. We’ll also take X-rays to detect any issues hidden to the naked eye, such as decay between teeth.
While we offer emergency dentistry, you may need to wait a few business days if you have a mild toothache that doesn’t require immediate attention.
Please call our office if your symptoms change or worsen. Also, be sure to check out our blog post on how to identify a dental emergency.
Call our office for emergency dental care if you experience:
- An increase in pain
- Pain while eating
- Abscess (pimple) on the gums
- Swelling
- Fever
- Loose teeth
- Unusually red gums
- Difficult breathing or swallowing
Here’s how you can relieve your toothache until you’re able to see Dr. Langellier.
Floss Your Teeth
Food particles can sometimes get stuck between teeth. When this happens, it can cause dental discomfort or even a mild toothache. Try gently flossing between the affected teeth to dislodge anything that could be trapped between the teeth.
If you do remove something between the teeth, don’t be alarmed if you see a little blood on the floss. Your gums may be feeling irritated if a piece of food has been stuck for a few hours or days. For this reason, we always recommend that our patients floss once a day regardless of their health.
If the dental pain disappears after flossing, you may be able to cancel your appointment with us. But if the pain or gum bleeding persists, please keep your appointment with Bowtie Dental. That way, Dr. Langellier will be able to detect and diagnose any issues with your oral health.
Swish With Warm Salt Water
Salt water is a natural disinfectant that can help heal mouth wounds and reduce inflammation. When you use it as a mouth rinse, it can also help loosen food particles that are stuck between your teeth.
For this , mix ½ teaspoon of salt with a glass of warm water. Then, swish the salt water around your mouth. Do NOT swallow the salt water mixture. Instead, spit it out into the sink when you’re done.
Use Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
Don’t underestimate the power of over-the-counter medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like both relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the mouth. Also, while acetaminophen doesn’t reduce inflammation, it does reduce your perception of pain.
If you aren’t sure what to take, please feel free to call our office. We can give you specific instructions for what and how much to take until you’re able to see our dentist.
Apply a Cold Compress
To create a cold compress, wrap a dish towel around a bag of ice cubes or frozen vegetables. NEVER apply a cold compress directly to the skin and don’t use one for longer than 20 minutes as these actions can cause frostbite. You may use a cold compress every few hours.
The coldness of the compress will help constrict the blood vessels in your face. Not only does this help relieve your pain but it can also reduce swelling and inflammation.
Request an Appointment With Dr. Langellier
The sooner you call our office, the sooner we’ll be able to diagnose and treat the source of your pain. A fast response could mean the difference between needing a filling and an emergency root canal.
Dr. Eric Langellier is an experienced emergency dentist in Wyoming, MI. He’s also accepting new patients and would be more than happy to welcome you to our practice. To schedule an emergency appointment, please call Bowtie Dental at (616) 532-9003.