What is Good for Toothache
What Can Be Done for Toothache at Home
The most common cause of toothache is caries. When the enamel wears away or cracks, bacteria can penetrate into the inner layers of the tooth, stimulating nerve endings and causing severe pain. In addition, root surfaces exposed due to gum recession can become sensitive to cold or heat. Other factors that can cause pain are under-filled caries, broken or cracked teeth, clenching (bruxism) and erosion of tooth enamel.
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Rarely, pain from sinusitis or ear pain can also be felt as a toothache.
What is Good for Toothache at Home?
As a first intervention at home, gargling with warm salt water both reduces inflammation and provides temporary relief. Applying cotton wool to the aching tooth and a few drops of cough syrup or clove oil can also provide local numbness. Cold compress application may have a pain relieving effect by reducing the swelling around the tooth.
“However, these methods do not solve the problem completely, they only provide relief until you reach a doctor.”
What Can Be Done For Toothache at night?
To cope with a toothache at night, sleeping with your head supported by high pillows can reduce the severity of the pain. Gargling one last time with warm salt water at bedtime temporarily cleans the bacteria in the mouth.
For pain that keeps you awake at night, it is possible to take short-acting painkillers at the dose recommended by the doctor; however, if long-term medication is used and the pain does not go away the next morning, you should definitely consult a dentist.
Why Does Toothache Increase at Night?
Many people notice that their toothache gets worse, especially at night. This is mainly because when you lie down, there is more blood flow to the head, which increases the pressure in the inflamed area. While the pain is less noticeable during the day thanks to distractions, silence and inactivity at night make it easier to notice the pain.
In addition, saliva production decreases at night, which can lead to a drier mouth and a proliferation of bacteria. For this reason, toothache that starts at night is often more uncomfortable and requires immediate attention.
What To Do With Broken Tooth Pain?
A fractured tooth can cause oral injuries with hot-cold sensitivity and sharp edges as a result of the enamel cracking or crumbling. After rinsing the mouth with clean water and removing the broken piece from your mouth, if there is a sharp corner in the mouth, you can make a temporary closure with a piece of steri-strip in saliva or medical tape of the appropriate size.
Ice compresses are the first line of defense to reduce facial swelling and pain; ten-minute cold applications can be repeated at intervals. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory painkillers will provide relief until you visit the dentist. A permanent solution should be provided with procedures such as repairing the broken piece or root canal treatment by consulting a dentist as soon as possible.
What Are the Ways to Reduce Pain After Tooth Extraction?
- Regular use of medicines prescribed by the doctor
Painkillers and antibiotics should be taken regularly to prevent infection and control pain. - Applying a cold compress
Cold compress applied externally to the cheek in the first 24 hours reduces swelling and pain. - Paying Attention to Oral Hygiene
Teeth other than the extraction site should be brushed, but the area should not be irritated. Antiseptic mouthwash should be used if recommended. - Avoiding Spitting and Mouth Rinsing
Spitting or gargling vigorously during the first 24 hours can cause the clot to dislodge. - Avoiding Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking and alcohol slow down the healing process and increase the risk of infection. - Consume soft and warm foods
Hot, hard or spicy foods should be avoided; soft foods such as puree and yogurt should be preferred. - Drink plenty of water
Drink plenty of water to prevent dry mouth and support the body’s healing process. - Keeping the Head Level High
Keeping the head elevated by supporting it with a pillow while lying down can relieve pain by reducing blood pressure. - Not Chewing with the Painful Side
Chewing with that side should be avoided to avoid straining the extraction area. - Do not skip the control examination
Visiting the dentist within the specified period ensures that complications are prevented.
What is Good for Toothache in Children?
The first step for toothache in children is to gently clean the area around the tooth with warm salt water. Children’s painkillers containing appropriate doses of paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used on doctor’s recommendation. Cold teethers or warm compresses provide a soothing effect in teething-related pain. Sugary medicines should be avoided and painkillers should be adjusted according to the child’s weight. A pediatric or general dentist should be consulted for the treatment process and permanent dental health.
What is Good for Toothache in Babies?
For teething pains in babies, cooling the teethers (without keeping them in the freezer for too long) relieves the pressure on the gums. Feeding breast milk or appropriate formula provides relief. Dental gels can be used for a short period of time on doctor’s recommendation; however, the product content and dosage should be checked. Since the baby may show an extra sucking reflex while teething, silicone tooth rings of appropriate size and clean spoon handles should be preferred.
What is Good for Toothache During Pregnancy?
It is important to treat toothache during pregnancy safely. Warm mouthwash with salt water is the first and safest step. Painkillers can be used with a doctor’s approval, but some painkillers are not recommended in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
Increased gum care, flossing and using a soft brush can also reduce inflammation. In serious cases, a visit to the dentist should not be avoided; on the contrary, uncontrolled infections and abscesses can put the health of mother and baby at risk.
What to Do if The Aching Tooth is Inflamed?
Abscess formation on or around the tooth root indicates inflammation and requires urgent intervention. First of all, frequent gargling with warm salt water and antiseptic mouthwashes can be used. These methods provide temporary relief, but a dentist should be consulted for antibiotics and root canal treatment or abscess drainage. When the inflammation spreads, facial swelling, difficulty swallowing and general weakness may occur. In this case, treatment should not be delayed because there may be a risk of systemic infection.
The Most Common Causes of Toothache
Toothache can be caused by many different reasons and the most common causes are the following:
- Tooth decay: It is caused by bacteria eroding the enamel of the tooth and over time, it can deepen and progress to the nerves, causing severe pain.
- Gum Diseases: Gingivitis and gum recession can cause the roots of the teeth to become exposed and develop sensitivity.
- Tooth Enamel Wear: Thinning of the enamel surface due to acidic foods, clenching or hard brushing increases hot-cold sensitivity.
- Teeth Clenching and Grinding (Bruxism): Clenching the teeth during sleep causes pain by straining the jaw muscles and teeth.
- Traumas and Fractures: Cracks or fractures in the teeth as a result of external impacts affect the dental nerves and trigger pain.
- Incorrectly Made Fillings or Prostheses: Incompatible restorations can cause a feeling of pressure and pain in the tooth.
Apart from these reasons, some systemic diseases or conditions such as sinusitis can also be felt as toothache. Correctly identifying the source of the pain is very important for effective treatment.
What is Good For Wisdom Toothache?
Impacted or semi-erupted wisdom teeth can cause pain by pressing on the surrounding tissues. Painkillers and gargling with warm salt water are the first steps. If there is localized swelling, applying a cold compress can provide relief.
Before using pain relief gel on your own, you should consult your dentist because the position of the tooth and the need for removal are determined by a professional examination. The dentist will plan for extraction or appropriate surgical intervention after X-ray control.
What is Good for Milk Tooth Pain?
Milk tooth pain is usually caused by decay or gingivitis and is common in babies and toddlers until their hygiene habits are well established. An appropriate dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen syrup for children can quickly control pain; the dose should always be calculated based on the child’s weight.
Warm salt water mouthwash can be applied around the gums with a clean gauze pad, as this can make gargling difficult for babies. Gentle massage with a warm, damp cloth can also reduce gum sensitivity. In case of persistent pain, seeing a pediatric dentist will prevent problems with the permanent tooth in the future.
How Much Does Oral Hygiene Prevent Toothache?
Regular and proper oral hygiene prevents the accumulation of dental plaque and greatly reduces the pain associated with caries and gum disease. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day prevents acid production by destroying bacteria on the tooth surface. Daily cleaning with dental floss or interdental brushes prevents food debris accumulated between the teeth from turning into plaque.
Antiseptic mouthwashes minimize the risk of infection by further reducing the number of bacteria in the mouth after brushing. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleaning sessions increase the effectiveness of your hygiene routine and are a key step in preventing toothache.
What is the Relationship Between Toothache and Headache?
There is a strong link between toothache and headache because both share pain signals that are transmitted to the brain via the trigeminal nervous system. Bite irregularities and temporomandibular joint (TMJ joint) dysfunction, especially behind the lower jaw, can trigger toothache and lead to migraine-like headaches.
Teeth clenching or grinding (bruxism) can cause tension in the jaw muscles and the muscle group on the side of the head, leading to both tooth sensitivity and chronic headaches. Tooth-related pain is often unilateral and throbbing; in this case, consulting both a dentist and a neurologist constitutes the correct diagnosis and treatment plan. Therefore, correcting the irregularities in the masticatory muscles and, if necessary, using dental appliances can alleviate both problems.
Which Foods Should I Avoid When I Have a Toothache?
Avoiding certain foods and drinks when you have a toothache can help prevent the pain from getting worse. Foods that are too hot or too cold can stimulate dental nerves and increase sensitivity. Sugary foods and acidic drinks make it easier for bacteria to feed, causing cavities to grow.
Hard-shelled foods or nuts put pressure on the teeth during chewing and can trigger pain. In addition, products such as sticky candies or chewing gum lead to more plaque accumulation in areas with tooth decay. Consuming soft, warm and neutral foods during this process helps to control the pain.
How to Recognize Toothache Caused By Sinusitis?
Avoiding certain foods and drinks when you have a toothache can help prevent the pain from getting worse. Foods that are too hot or too cold can stimulate dental nerves and increase sensitivity. Sugary foods and acidic drinks make it easier for bacteria to feed, causing cavities to grow.
Hard-shelled foods or nuts put pressure on the teeth during chewing and can trigger pain. In addition, products such as sticky sweets or chewing gum cause more plaque to build up in areas with tooth decay. Consuming soft, warm and neutral foods during this process helps to control the pain.
How Many Days Does Toothache Go Away?
The recovery time of a toothache depends on the underlying cause. Pain caused by simple gum sensitivity or a small cavity usually subsides within 1-3 days with appropriate treatment.
However, in cases such as caries under fillings, nerve inflammation (pulpitis) or tooth abscess, there may be a recovery period that can last longer than 1 week depending on the treatment plan. Tooth sensitivity may persist for a few days after root canal treatment; but it mostly disappears within 7-10 days. Untreated dental problems can turn into chronic pain.
When Should I Go to the Doctor for Toothache?
A dentist should be consulted when the pain becomes unbearable, is not relieved by home remedies or does not subside within 24-48 hours. Symptoms such as fever, facial swelling, bad breath or a change in biting sensation during chewing indicate a risk of abscess and spread.
People with additional health problems such as pregnancy and diabetes should seek professional help when the pain first starts to reduce the risk of complications. Early intervention shortens treatment time and reduces costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can take a look at the common questions asked by our patients and contact us for all other questions you are curious about.
Mild tooth sensitivity and mild pain that may last for a few days after the filling procedure is normal. However, if the pain intensifies or lasts for more than 1 week, it is necessary to consult a dentist.
In rare cases, allergies to metals and acrylics used in dental fillings or denture materials can cause inflammation and pain in the gums. If accompanied by swelling, itching or rash, you should consult your dentist.
Due to the extensive nerve connections, especially in the upper molars and premolars, sinus inflammation can be felt as a toothache. If you have pain that increases with sinus pressure, it may be useful to see an ear, nose and throat specialist.
Yes; pain in the tooth roots can spread through the nerves to the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, causing jaw pain and a feeling of locking.
Severe or chronic toothache can be triggered through the nerve networks in the facial area, causing headaches. Dental treatment for dental headaches usually relieves the symptoms as well.
After root canal treatment, mild tenderness in the treatment area that may last for a few days is common; however, in case of unbearable severe pain or tenderness exceeding 1 week, a follow-up appointment should be made.
Significant swelling of the face or neck, fever, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing or pain radiating from the jaw to the ear are all signs of a serious infection that requires immediate attention. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your dentist or emergency room immediately.
