How To Treat Unbearable Tooth Pain

 

Unbearable, excruciating tooth pain is one of the worst things that someone can experience. 

Usually the result of a dental emergency, it that can make your life absolutely miserable.  While the occasional achy tooth is something that most people will experience, sharp, excruciating tooth pain is almost always a sign that something is very wrong and you should receive emergency dental treatment near you immediately.

Here’s what you need to know about excruciating tooth pain, what could be causing it and, most importantly, what to do if you find yourself with a throbbing tooth.

The Anatomy Of The Tooth

When most people think of a tooth, they tend to think of the outer portion - the enamel that covers it and provides it with it’s structure and protection.  But when it comes to locating the cause of pain, it’s important to pay attention to what’s actually going on under the surface. 

At the centre of the tooth is what’s referred to as the “pulp”.  And it’s this soft area that contains all of the nerves associated with sensation.

Common Causes Of Tooth Pain

If you find yourself experiencing tooth pain, chances are this is the level at which something has gone wrong.  There are a number of things that may be the cause of your pain, but the following is a short list:  

·         Infections and abscesses

·         Tooth decay

·         A broken tooth

·         A broken crown or filling

·         Impacted wisdom teeth

·         Cavities

·         Extreme tooth sensitivity

Regardless of what’s causing it, it needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.  A dentist near you can assess your situation, find out what’s going and make the pain stop.

How To (Temporarily) Stop Unbearable Tooth Pain

While your dentist will be able to identify the root cause of your pain, you may find yourself in a situation where you’re unable to get in to have your teeth looked at immediately.  If that’s the case, you may may need to temporarily take matters into your own hands.

Fortunately, there are a number of home remedies that can be surprisingly effective.  Here are a few things you can do to ease your pain.

Clove Oil

As one of the “original” treatments for tooth pain, clove oil was the go to option for thousands of years before modern dentistry.  And, when used as an anti-inflammatory and numbing agent, it’s still surprisingly effective.  Simply take a small amount of oil and dab it onto the affected area.

Salt Water Rinse

Rinsing out your mouth with warm water and salt is another old school option that works surprisingly well.  The salt will help calm down any inflammation and speed up the healing in any wounds.

As a bonus, if your pain is being caused by an infection or abscess, it will also help disinfect the area and prevent it from spreading until a dentist in Edmonton can deal with it.

Applying Cold And Heat

Applying both hot and cold to your face can really go a long way to help with your discomfort.  A hot pack will reduce the pain you’re feeling, while applying something cold (an ice pack, a frozen bag of peas, etc) to your cheek can help reduce any swelling you may also be experiencing.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

While you should consult with your family doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications, anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen can certainly be an effective option for temporary pain reduction, and come in extremely handy when you can’t see your dentist right away.

Peppermint Tea Bags

Like clove oil, peppermint tea is an old home remedy that can help numb pain and reduce discomfort.  Simply steep the tea bag in hot water, let it cool, and apply it to the affected area.