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How to ease the pain caused by toothache?

Dr. Peter Doherty Profile Image

Last Reviewed 13 June 2016

Medically reviewed by Dr. Peter Doherty, Bachelor Dent. Sc. (Trinity College Dublin) 2003, MFDS (RCSI), PG Cert Implant Dentistry (Newcastle), Implant Dentist

Toothache is a horribly painful condition and that can very quickly turn into a dental emergency for people. 

Toothaches are usually caused by infection within the tooth. That is, of course, usually a matter of the enamel surface being compromised and allowing infectious agents to enter the interior of the tooth. What comes next is that your body sends white blood cells to fight the infection.

As the cells break down and die, there is an accumulation of pus and more blood continues to be sent, the pressure inside the blood vessel increases, the blood vessel has to expand to cope and this puts pressure on the nerve inside the tooth.

And just like that, you have excruciating pain that will almost drive you mad.

What causes a toothache?

In the worst instances of toothache, a condition called pulpitis is present. When the pulp becomes inflamed, that's a serious problem because there's no space for expansion.

As the swelling commences, pressure builds and the blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to the tooth become compressed. If this continues for long enough, the tooth will begin to die, and toxins resulting from this may be carried to other parts of the body where they can do harm.

Because most toothaches are caused by infection, the best way to treat a toothache is through methods that fight infection. Commercial antibiotics are not always best for your health, but there are natural substances that are also able to fight infection.

There is one in particular that has proven very effective in fighting the symptoms and causes of toothache. This substance is clove oil.

How to Ease the Pain Caused by a Toothache

Before you get excited and rush out to buy clove oil by the litre, it's important to understand that it's not an especially good substance for your body, only for the treatment of toothache.

In fact, if you use too much of it, there can be a range of toxic effects that you could suffer as a result. Clove oil can also cause a chemical burn on the gum if it is given a long contact time. Potentially more safe remedies include anti-inflammatory medicines and analgesics (aspirin, codeine, paracetamol, etc.).

Antibiotic

Antibiotics such as amoxicillin may also help to suppress the infection that is causing the inflammation, but as stated earlier, antibiotics are not very healthy substances. You in fact are biotic.

For some types of toothache, water ice may help to temporarily reduce swelling (but be careful, as it can sometimes make the problem worse, depending on the cause of the condition).

A more ancient remedy is whiskey, but there could be a tendency to over-use this remedy.

In doing so, that could make it impossible for the dentist to administer anaesthetic if a decision was made to directly treat the infection (by drilling, filling, root canal, abscess draining, or other procedures) rather than treating the problem indirectly using medicines.

The suggestions listed above can help to relieve the pain caused by a toothache in the short term. If you are suffering from a serious toothache remember that the only cure is to visit your dentist.   

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