NSAID pain relievers include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. These medications are best for your toothache. [2] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Remember to ask a pharmacist if you’re unsure which medication to buy. Some people have allergies to NSAID pain relievers. If you are allergic or aren’t sure, a non-NSAID pain reliever like acetaminophen can help with your pain as well.
This is especially important if you’re on any other medications. Check the warnings to see if this NSAID reacts with any medications you are taking.
Pain relievers sometimes cause an upset stomach if you take them on an empty stomach. To prevent this, you can eat a piece of bread before swallowing the pills. Never take medication with alcohol. This can cause a negative reaction.
Don’t wait for the pain to come back before you take more medication. At that point, the swelling has already returned and it’ll take time to reduce it again. Instead, keep the medication in your system so the inflammation doesn’t return. If it’s several days before you can get an appointment with your dentist, then it’s best to call your dentist’s office and see if they would recommend you continue taking medication. Taking pain relievers for several days in a row can result in side effects, so only do so under your dentist or doctor’s direction.
If you have a gel pack but it isn’t cold, you might want to try a homemade ice pack in the next step. Gel packs can take several hours to get cold in the freezer. Remember to wrap the ice pack in a towel before using it, because direct contact between your skin and the ice pack can cause frostbite. Paper towels can work as well, but they may get too wet from the condensation on the ice pack.
Another easy method is finding a bag of frozen vegetables in your freezer and using this as an ice pack. [7] X Research source Remember to wrap your homemade ice pack in a towel as well.
Remember to keep the towel wrapped around the ice pack. Although it may not feel cold enough at first, the cold will work its way through the towel soon enough. Put the ice pack back in the freezer in between icing sessions so it stays cold. Never fall asleep with an ice pack attached. This can result in damage to your skin and the underlying tissues.
Warm water is important for two reasons. First the warmth helps soothe your mouth pain. Second, warm water will dissolve more salt than cold water. Boiling water isn’t necessary. If the water is too hot, you could burn your mouth and have a whole new kind of mouth pain!
If you don’t have a salt shaker, you can scoop the salt into the cup using a spoon. Just remember to stir continuously so the salt dissolves.
If the water feels too hot, spit it out right away to avoid burns. Let the water cool a little longer before repeating the rinse. Do not swallow any of the salt water. If you don’t like the taste that the salt water leaves behind, you can rinse again with plain tap water. This will get rid of excess salt left behind.
Remember to ask a pharmacist if you’re unsure which gel to buy. There may be a lot of products to choose from and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Consulting a professional will make your choice much easier. Always check the directions and warnings on any medication you use. Follow the directions as they’re printed on the container.
You don’t need to use a Q-tip, but if you use another object make sure it isn’t sharp. Something like a toothpick could stick your gum and cut you, or leave a splinter.
You’ll feel some tingling shortly after you apply the gel. This is a sign of your mouth starting to numb and it’s normal. Spreading the gel on your tooth itself won’t help much. The enamel of your teeth doesn’t have any nerve endings, so that pain is coming from inside your tooth. That’s why making sure the gel is on your gums is important.
If you only experience some itching, taking an antihistamine can help. If you feel any tightness in your chest or have trouble breathing, seek medical attention immediately. This could be a sign of a life-threatening allergic reaction.
