Nothing as bad as an aching tooth!

If you ever get to experience a sudden and intense toothache, it will help to know where the pain comes from and what you can do about it. There is no need to panic and there is help nearby.

Possible causes of a toothache

Toothaches usually occur as a result of tooth decay: in the worst cases this will be an abscessed tooth or infected nerve. Other types of tooth damage – such as a cracked filling or unfinished dental work – can also cause an infection in the mouth. Even excessive tooth grinding can cause toothaches!

Your toothache could be due to tooth trauma from an accident – if you’ve recently played sports, had a fall, bitten down on something hard, or been in a car accident, then check your mouth immediately to see if a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth is causing your toothache.

What can I do myself?

• For short-term relief, taking a painkiller such as ibuprofen is perfectly fine to numb the pain.
• Same applies for a cold compress to the cheek on the side of your mouth where you feel the pain.
• A salt-water rinse with warm water is also a good way to clean your mouth while helping to dislodge any pieces of tooth or anything else that might be causing pain in your mouth.
• Clove oil is also a common remedy for the pain of a toothache; you can try this by rubbing a few drops on the affected tooth area several times daily until the ache goes away.
• And if possible, clean your teeth, as this will help to remove any debris in your mouth that might add to the toothache.

Although all these home remedies might at best give some relief, but unfortunately they do not work permanently.

If the toothache is due to a broken or knocked out tooth, you’ll need to take greater care of your tooth until you can get to an emergency dentist. Using gauze to cover the broken tooth or affected area, or placing a knocked-out tooth into cold milk and bringing it to your dentist as soon as possible, are two ways you temporarily care for the affected area.