What to take for toothache?

Toothache is one of the most uncomfortable and sharpest types of pain there is, so it is important to start treating it from the very moment it appears. The first thing you should do is visit your trusted dentist, but if the pain has already started, you may need to ease it with some medication, until you can see the specialist.

At Farmaciasdirect, we want to explain what to take for toothache and introduce you to some home remedies that can be useful when the pain is not too severe.

The best medicines for toothache

The medication you need will depend largely on the symptoms you have. You can also combine it with cold treatment on the painful area to make it more effective.

If you want to know what to take for toothache, here we explain it:

• Benzocaine is a topical anaesthetic that can be applied to the painful area to create a numbing sensation and help the pain go away.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Ibuprofen or Aspirin, are a good way to relieve dental pain in the short term.

You can buy them in any pharmacy without needing a prescription and, as well as soothing the pain, they can help reduce inflammation.

Bear in mind that it is not recommended to take an NSAID for more than 10 days without first consulting your doctor.

• Paracetamol is a very useful medicine for reducing toothache and fever, but it does not treat inflammation. Therefore, this medicine is indicated to calm times when we are suffering from sharp, severe pain.

Home remedies to relieve toothache

If we combine the medicines mentioned above with some home remedies, we can stop toothache from completely disabling us.

Salt water gargle

This is a remedy that can relieve your pain temporarily and is not at all harmful to your oral health or your body's wellbeing.

Fill a glass with warm water and mix it with a tablespoon of salt. Once it has dissolved completely, you can use this solution as a mouthwash.

Apply cold cloths to the area

Localised cold is one of the best allies for combating pain. Place a bag filled with water in the freezer for several hours.

When the water has frozen, you can remove it from the freezer, wrap it in a clean cloth and apply it to the affected area of your mouth. Apply cold for 15 to 20 minutes at a time and repeat this every few hours.

Raise your head

If you are lying in bed or even trying to get to sleep to cope with the pain, it is a good idea to keep your head as elevated as possible.

The build-up of blood in the head can cause more pain and inflammation. Try placing two extra pillows under your head, even if it means sleeping almost upright.

Rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is very useful when we have an infected area in the gums, and some dentists recommend this practice.

Dilute the hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water, rinse your mouth several times and spit out the solution without swallowing it.

This method is not recommended for use with children, as they could accidentally swallow the solution and cause stomach problems.

Peppermint tea

Mint contains antibacterial and antioxidant compounds, so drinking peppermint tea may help temporarily relieve toothache.

Menthol, which is the ingredient found in chewing gum or toothpaste, can also have a mild numbing effect on sensitive areas.

Cloves are good for toothache

Cloves contain a component called eugenol that can quickly help reduce pain in your teeth. Eugenol acts as an analgesic in our body, so it numbs the painful area.

You should soak ground cloves in water to form a paste.

Apply this ointment directly to the affected tooth to numb the area and relieve toothache.

Another alternative is to gently chew or suck a single clove and then leave it near the tooth that hurts to help relieve the pain.

Now you know what to take for toothache and some home remedies that may help you.

At Farmaciasdirect, you will find everything you need to get through this situation in the best possible way, getting your medicines without leaving home.

Remember that it is essential to visit a dentist as soon as possible when tooth pain appears.

Bibliography:

• González, O. Which medicine is for toothache?.
• Funes, J. A. R. (2009). Home remedies for headache and toothache. Revista Vinculando.