Toothache is pain in or around the tooth. Some simple problems that cause toothache can be treated with home remedies. For example, removing gingival irritation with appropriate brushing methods. However, some toothaches do not go away on their own or with home remedies. In this case, the dentist may need to intervene.

Toothache

Toothache is pain in or around the tooth. Some simple problems that cause toothache can be treated with home remedies. For example, removing gingival irritation with appropriate brushing methods. However, some toothaches do not go away on their own or with home remedies. In this case, the dentist may need to intervene.

What causes toothache? 

Toothache can be caused by:

  • Tooth decay,
  • tooth abscess,
  • tooth fracture,
  • tooth damage,
  • Damage or falling out of dental fillings,
  • Repetitive movements such as chewing gum or grinding or squeezing teeth
  • gum diseases,
  • Teething (such as wisdom teeth), and improper teething (eruption)
  • Problems with braces, if any

What are the symptoms of toothache? 

Toothache can occur with the following symptoms:

  • Black spots on the tooth,
  • Tooth fracture,
  • Swelling around the teeth
  • Fever or headache,
  • Bad taste in the mouth,
  • A feeling of drainage into the mouth,
  • Bad smell from the mouth.
  • Pain when pressing on the tooth
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold,
  • Toothache is sharp, throbbing, constant, sometimes painful when you press on it or bite something.

If you have difficulty breathing and swallowing with your pain, consult a dentist immediately.

What can I do to treat toothache at home?



For temporary relief of toothache, you can do the following:

Gargle with warm salt water. Salt water can remove any remaining residue between your teeth, act as a disinfectant and reduce inflammation. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth well. Do not swallow, spit after gargling. You can try as often as you want. It is recommended to be used with caution by those with hypertension problems.

Gargle with hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) helps reduce inflammation and pain. Dilute hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of water and rinse your mouth, do not swallow, rinse with plenty of water after gargling.

Eat soft foods such as soup, yogurt or scrambled eggs.

Hold a cold ice pack wrapped in a towel over the painful area for 20-minute periods. Repeat every few hours.

You can use oral pain reliever gels. You can get these gels from the pharmacy. You can get information from the pharmacy for instructions for use.

Pain relievers can reduce pain and inflammation. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can be used, or you can take acetaminophen. You can get advice from the pharmacy about this.

Warm salt water mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide mouthwash is not recommended for children.

Do not eat with aching teeth, avoid chewing, etc.

Do not give aspirin to a child under 16 years of age.

Do not eat sweet, very hot or very cold foods.

Don’t smoke, smoking can make some dental problems worse.

Non-drug traditional methods of treating toothache at home: 

Clove oil: It is a natural antiseptic that relieves pain and reduces inflammation. Apply a small amount of clove oil to a cotton ball and apply it to the aching area. Or add a drop of clove oil to a small glass of water and rinse your mouth well.

Vanilla extract: The alcohol in vanilla extract temporarily numbs the pain and its antioxidants help the area heal. Use your fingertips or cotton ball to apply the essence to the tooth and gum several times a day.



Mint tea: It has anesthetic properties. A teaspoon of dried mint leaves can be put in a glass of boiling water and infused for 20 minutes. After cooling, it can be chewed in the mouth, then spit out or swallowed. A slightly warm, wet tea bag can also be used and held against the tooth for a few minutes until the pain subsides. A few drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball can also be placed on the aching tooth as a temporary remedy.

Garlic: It has strong antibacterial properties. A fresh clove of garlic is first crushed, then mixed with a little salt and the mixture is applied to the aching tooth.

Thyme: It has antiseptic and antifungal properties. A drop of thyme essential oil can be added to a glass of water to make a mouthwash. Another method is to sprinkle a few drops of thyme essential oil and water on cotton balls. After adding the water, you can press the painful tooth.

When Should I Go to the Dentist? 

Home remedies or traditional treatments are for temporary relief.

  • When your toothache lasts for more than a day or two,
  • If it does not go away despite painkillers,
  • If there is a high fever associated with it,
  • If you have pain when you bite
  • If you have red gums
  • If you have a bad taste in your mouth,
  • If your cheek or jaw is swollen, you should definitely see your dentist.

If toothache is not treated right away, it can lead to more serious problems such as gum disease or tooth abscess. An abscess occurs when bacteria infect the innermost part of the tooth, called the dental pulp. If:

  • If the area around your eyes or neck is swollen
  • If swelling in your mouth or neck makes it difficult for you to breathe, swallow or speak

IT IS A SITUATION THAT NEEDS URGENTLY REMEDY.

How will the dentist treat my toothache? 

The dentist will determine the cause of the toothache based on the result of the examination, x-ray (panoramic, periapical or, if necessary, tomography).

In cases where there is swelling and redness around the tooth, an infection may have occurred. In this case, the tooth is not intervened, antibiotics are prescribed, and after the antibiotic treatment is finished, the tooth is intervened.



If the cause of the toothache is gum diseases, your gum will be intervened by your dentist or, if necessary, by a periodontologist. Your gum disease can be treated with superficial and deep calculus cleaning, gum intervention or tooth brushing recommendations.

If there is tooth decay, the decayed part is cleaned first, and the resulting gap is closed with a filling.

If dental caries has progressed, root canal treatment may be required, and they may refer you to an endodontist for this. The endodontist takes the nerves of your tooth, checks the process with a periapical x-ray and closes the gap with a filling.

Teeth that are thought to not benefit despite all possible interventions, have more space for filling than necessary, and have cysts etc. underneath may need to be extracted. Your dentist will decide if the tooth needs to be extracted. The extracted teeth should be filled with different methods such as implants, otherwise there will be risks such as deterioration in the tooth structures next to the cavity, and elongation in the tooth opposite the cavity. In addition, missing teeth in the mouth will affect your eating and drinking habits and may cause cosmetic problems.

How to prevent toothache? 

The best way to prevent toothache is to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.

To do this:

  • On average, have regular dental check-ups every six months. If possible, continue your dental checkups with the same dentist.
  • Avoid sugary foods and drinks. Sugary foods taken especially in the evening will leave residue on the teeth. If these residues are not cleaned, it will cause tooth decay over time. It is recommended to consume sugary foods only at meal times, occasionally and in small amounts.
  • Brush your teeth for about 2 minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. It is recommended to brush the gums and tongue while brushing the teeth.
  • Clean between your teeth daily using floss or an interdental brush to remove food, debris and plaque.
  • Do not smoke. Smoking will both cause cosmetic problems due to yellowing of the teeth and worsen dental problems. Smoking after dental interventions will prolong bleeding times.

 

 


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