What to Take for a Toothache Pain

Toothache pain causes severe discomfort and can interfere with a person's ability to focus on anything other than the pain. There are natural and medicinal options for relieving toothache pain. Pain that continues for several days, or is accompanied by fever and/or difficulty breathing must be treated by a dentist immediately. Simple remedies for coping with and treating pain that is not serious are available.

Cleaning

• Gum soreness is at times mistaken for toothache pain, and may be caused by lodged food particles in the edges of the gums. Brush well if you are experiencing tooth and gum pain, and follow with a thorough flossing. If food particles are dislodged and the pain begins to subside quickly, the problem is most likely remedied. Make a saltwater mouthwash by mixing 8 oz. of water with 2 tbsp. of salt, swish it around mouth and spit it out until the glass is finished. This helps ease remaining soreness.

Medicine

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) can dull the ache of a hurting tooth. Topical pastes and gels such as Ambesol and Orajel also help relieve pain. These medications contain benzocaine, which acts as an antiseptic and numbing agent. If a visit to the dentist reveals an abscess or infection, antibiotics will be prescribed to fight the infection, which in turn should relieve and eventually eliminate pain.

Natural Remedies

• Natural remedies can be used alongside medicine to help relieve toothache pain. Place a few dried cloves in your mouth and chew them, then place the chewed cloves between the aching tooth and the inside of your lip; leave for 30 minutes for pain relief. Increasing the intake of calcium and magnesium through supplements when tooth pain first begins is also effective. Another natural remedy is the massaging of various pressure points on the body, especially in the hand.