Those that have been fortunate enough to never have had braces or dental work can hardly understand the intensity of oral pain. The rest of us know all too well how debilitating the pain can be, and despite political promises, how expensive it can be to take care of. While of course you should always go to the dentist when you have serious toothache pain because it could be a sign of a potentially life-threatening infection, or could lead to one, the cost of dental work might have you postponing the trip until your budget can cover it a little better. If this is the position you are in, here are a few things you can do in the meantime to help you deal with the pain and get done what you have to.
Saltwater Rinse
A common cause of pain is an abscess or an infection near the gum line. Temporary relief can come from cleaning out any food debris in the area and drawing out the fluid in the infection by swishing your mouth with warm salt water after meals, before bed, or as often as the pain returns.
Clove Oil
Clove oil contains a natural anesthetic called eugenol. When using clove oil be careful not to get it on unaffected areas like your tongue. Dip a Q-tip in clove oil and hold it against the tooth causing the pain until the pain subsides.
Beeswax
If your pain is caused by a cavity, loose filling, or a crack in your tooth rinsing and treating with clove might not be enough to stop the pain. Every time food, or even liquid come in contact with the opening the pain can be excruciating and the risk of infection increases. After cleaning the area, take a bit of warm bee’s wax and press it over the cavity of crack to form a temporary seal.
These remedies are only going to treat the symptom and not the cause. They are meant to get you through the pain until you can get the professional medical treatment that you need, not to replace it. Hope they help.