Although many dentists offer same-day appointments to address dental emergencies as quickly as possible, plenty of patients have urgent issues overnight or on the weekend when the office is closed.
Unfortunately, that means you might have to wait an evening or two to reach out for help if you develop a sudden or severe toothache outside usual business hours. But there are things you can do to help ease your discomfort while you wait. Continue reading to learn about 3 at-home remedies that can provide some much-needed relief from the throbbing in your tooth!
Remedy #1: Apply an Ice Pack
One simple but effective way to alleviate a toothache at home is to apply an ice pack or cold compress to the sore side of your face for about 10 to 15 minutes. If that’s too difficult or uncomfortable for whatever reason, you might try holding ice water in your mouth for several seconds at a time instead. But remember not to bite or chew ice cubes, which could worsen chips, cracks, or other enamel damage behind your toothache.
Cold compresses can temporarily numb the affected area, taking the edge off the pain long enough for you to fall asleep at night. Then, you can plan to contact your dentist’s office as soon as they open in the morning.
Remedy #2: Rinse with Salt Water
You can also help ease soreness and swelling in the affected tooth by gently rinsing your mouth with a homemade salt water solution. You can mix about ½ teaspoon of this common ingredient into a cup of water, and stir until it’s dissolved. Then, sip and swish the liquid around your mouth to remove excess fluid and naturally disinfect your teeth, then spit it out into the sink. Repeat this until your glass is empty.
It’s often safe to repeat this rinse 2 to 3 times daily, which can help soothe your aches until you can schedule an emergency dental appointment.
Remedy #3: Place Peppermint Tea Bags
If you keep peppermint tea in the kitchen for anxiety or upset stomachs, you also have access to a potential at-home remedy for toothaches. This is because mint contains menthol, which is a natural compound that can act as a temporary analgesic, or pain reliever. It also has antimicrobial and antibacterial qualities that can help manage unhealthy bacteria that could be causing an oral infection.
For this method, place a steeped peppermint tea bag directly on the affected tooth once it’s cooled for a few minutes. You might even try freezing a used tea bag for several minutes to combine cold therapy with mint for extra numbing.
Once your dental office reopens, contact them for a same-day emergency visit to identify the root cause of your discomfort and get a customized treatment plan for longer-term relief.
Meet the Author
Dr. Andrew Hale is a second-generation dentist who is passionate about helping children and adults build the happiest, healthiest versions of their smiles. He followed in his father’s footsteps and earned his dental degree from Case Western Reserve University, and today, he works diligently to offer a complete menu of services, including same-day emergency visits, to meet your unique needs conveniently under one roof. Then, he uses advanced technology to deliver comfortable, accurate results meant to last. If you have a toothache and need help, you can request an appointment on the website or call (802) 223-2244.