Dental pain can come from a wide range of sources – from a cracked tooth to an overcrowded smile. No matter what your pain may result from, there are some techniques you can try at home to temporarily dull the ache. In the guide below, we will go over some sources for at-home pain relief during dental emergencies.
NOTE: The suggestions below will not provide permanent solutions for your dental pain. You should still seek help from your family dentist or an emergency dentist to eliminate the source of the problem.
Hot Salt Water Rinse
Perhaps the most common and easiest way to relieve tooth pain at home is to rinse your mouth with a cup of hot salt water. You can use basic table salt and hot or warm tap water. Make sure that the salt dissolves in the water before using the mixture. The rinse will help loosen up anything that may be lodged in between your teeth, and it will also drain fluids in your gums (like in the case of an abscess). Do not swallow the saltwater rinse. Spit it out after swishing it around a few times. Once again, this will not provide permanent tooth pain relief, but it may be enough to get you to your next dentist appointment.
Cotton Ball Soaked In Extract
If you have targeted dental pain, you can soak a cotton ball in vanilla, peppermint, lemon, or almond extract to reduce the pain. Put the cotton ball directly above the sore spot and hold it there as long as you need relief. You may need to repeat this process with a new ball after your saliva has diluted the extract.
Natural Oils
Many natural oils act as anti-inflammatories, which can help reduce the pain and swelling in your mouth. You can mix these with water to use as a rinse, or you can apply them to a specific area with a cotton ball or cotton swab. Some of the most effective natural oils for tooth pain relief include: sesame oil, nutmeg oil, clove oil, sunflower oil, and tea tree oil. Just be aware of any allergies you may have to these ingredients before applying them to your teeth and gums.
Bonus Tip: Create A Dental Emergency Kit
We encourage all of our patients at Clinton Dental Center to have a dental emergency kit at home. This is similar to a first aid kit, but it is designed for oral health emergencies. You can read our Emergency Dental Kit Guide to learn how to create one of these helpful devices for your home.
