Tooth pain is a sign it's time to see your dentist, even if the pain isn't severe. The condition causing the pain, such as a cavity or infection, will probably get worse until you get treatment. Treating a cavity early is less expensive and less painful. A simple cavity could turn into an infected root that requires a root canal and crown.

Here are some DIY remedies and dental treatments for tooth pain.

DIY Care For Tooth Pain

Home treatments might provide temporary relief from pain, but they shouldn't be substituted for a visit to your dentist. You might try rinsing your mouth frequently with warm salt water, placing a heating pad against your face over the painful tooth, or placing a warm tea bag in your mouth over the tooth.

You might find ice more effective than heat at controlling tooth pain. Place an ice pack against your face or place ice chips in your mouth. However, ice might cause more pain if you have a cavity and are sensitive to cold temperatures.

Garlic is a home DIY remedy for dental pain that you might want to try. It can help fight infection as well as relieve pain. You can place crushed garlic, garlic oil, or a whole clove of garlic on your tooth. Clove oil is another remedy that might help reduce tooth pain. Just be sure to choose clove oil that's safe to ingest since you'll put it in your mouth. Some essential oils are for external use only.

Tooth pain has several causes so you may need to try different home treatments including over-the-counter pain relievers and toothache treatments to get relief. Even if a remedy helps your pain, call your dentist to have your tooth checked and treated.

Dental Treatments For A Toothache

Your dentist will start with a visual examination of your mouth to look for problems that could be causing your tooth pain. They may also take X-rays to look for cavities. If you have a cavity, the dentist might be able to fill it on the same day. If you have an infected tooth root, the dentist may want to clear up the infection first with antibiotics and schedule a root canal treatment for the following appointment.

If your pain is severe, the dentist might prescribe a few painkillers for you to take while you wait for your root canal appointment. When your tooth shows signs of infection or when your pain is severe, you should seek immediate help from a dentist even if you need to call an emergency dentist over the weekend.

If your pain is caused by sensitive teeth, an impacted tooth, or a misaligned bite, you may need less urgent dental care such as surgery to remove a wisdom tooth or braces. No matter what's causing your tooth pain, your dentist can figure out a way to relieve it so you can get back to eating normally and live without pain.

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