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What is Good for Toothache?

Toothache is a pain that occurs in or around the tooth. Since the cause of pain in the tooth may be due to a different condition, it is important to be checked by a specialist first. For this reason, people with pain problems should get support from a specialist dentist without wasting time. There are different methods that can be applied in response to questions such as "what is good for toothache and how toothache passes", which are wondered by many people about pain.

What is Good for Toothache?

Some pains are mild and not severe. These pains can be solved with methods that can be applied at home. However, this is not the case for some toothaches and may need to be treated by a specialist. For this reason, you should first go to a specialist and be examined and act in accordance with the recommendations of the specialist. How to relieve toothache at home Among the methods that can be applied for the question; applications such as gargling with salt water, applying ice to the aching area, applying garlic paste or applying clove oil can be included.

What is Toothache?

Pain that occurs in or around the inner part of the tooth. Most people experience these pains at least once in their lives. However, many people do not pay much attention to these pains until they become unbearable and often try to find a solution on their own. These solutions are usually temporary and only relieve the pain for a short time. For this reason, in order to reach a definite result and to treat the pain, support from a specialist dentist should be sought.

Why Toothache Happens

Pain occurs when the innermost layer of the tooth (the pulp) becomes inflamed. The pulp is known as the core of the tooth. The pulp is made up of sensitive tissues and blood vessels. The causes of toothache can be caused by different conditions. 
The most common cause of toothache is known as dental caries. Cavities are mostly caused by the lack of proper oral and dental hygiene. As a result of the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth, tooth enamel weakens and begins to decay.
Tooth decay can also be caused by genetic factors. In addition to these, why the tooth hurts and the conditions that cause pain in the tooth can be listed as follows:

  • Dental abscess
  • Teeth fracture 
  • Damaged fillings
  • Inflammation and infection of the gums
  • Repeated movements such as clenching, grinding teeth or chewing gum
  • Erosion of tooth enamel
  • Tooth decay

Causes of Toothache in Babies and Children

Babies may experience pain during teething and this pain may last for several days. It may also take several months for the teeth to erupt. Problems that may occur during teething in babies are as follows:

  • Swollen gums
  • Insomnia and irritability
  • Decreased desire to suck
  • High urge to bite
  • Loss of appetite
  • Salya
  • Fire

Pain in children's teeth is often caused by tooth decay. Due to decay, the tooth may break and abscess may develop. Lack of oral and dental hygiene can cause this situation. Sugars and starch-containing foods consumed by children increase the production of bacteria in the mouth and cause damage to the teeth. 
Symptoms may differ in each child. However, the pain symptoms and signs that usually occur can be listed as follows:

  • Prolonged and throbbing toothache
  • Tooth sensitivity and pain
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold liquid or solid foods
  • Jaw tenderness and pain
  • Fire
  • Latigue and weakness

Children are more at risk of dental infections than adults. For pain lasting more than 24 hours, it is recommended to visit the dentist immediately.

What are the Symptoms of Toothache?

Toothaches usually start at night. This is due to muscle pressure hitting the head while lying down. In such cases, it is important to visit the dentist and have the necessary checks done. Throbbing pain or constant pain may occur. 
The first symptom of tooth decay is pain when consuming sweet, cold or hot foods. The pain can be mild or severe, or it can come on suddenly. It usually worsens at night. This can be caused by a low filling or a tooth fracture.
Some conditions that can be seen with Symptoms of toothache are as follows:

  • Swelling in the face or mouth
  • Bleeding gums
  • Sensitivity to cold or heat 
  • Difficulty opening the mouth and inability to open it fully
  • Headache
  • Fire

In addition to these, if the person has difficulty swallowing or difficulty breathing with pain, he/she should be taken to a dentist immediately.

Home remedies for toothache

People who experience any pain in their teeth or gum problems should first visit a dentist for an examination. The severity of some pains increases day by day and can negatively affect the daily life of the person. Some pains are short-term and mildly severe. There are some applications that can be done at home for these pains. There are some methods that can be applied at home to reduce toothache. These can be listed as follows:

Gargle with Salt Water or Oxygenated Water
With salt water, you can remove food residues between the teeth and take precautions against inflammation, decay or infections that may occur. An advanced pain or inflammation can also be reduced by gargling with salt water.

Applying Ice to the Sore Area
When the cause of the pain is related to swelling, a cold compress with an ice pack can be applied to the outer part of the cheek for about 15 to 20 minutes. This can be repeated every few hours. 

Clove Oil
It is also thought that there are some natural solutions among the methods that can be applied at home for toothache. Clove oil is also among these solutions. Clove oil plays an auxiliary role in relieving pain and inflammation with its antiseptic properties. The mouth can be rinsed by dropping a certain amount of clove oil into a glass of water.

Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract can also help relieve pain, even for a short time. Its powerful antioxidant content accelerates the healing process.

Garlic Paste Application
The paste-like consistency of garlic also helps to relieve pain when applied on the aching area. It can be effective in eliminating bacteria and reducing pain.

How to Treat Toothache

Treatment of toothache is performed by dentists. The dentist will examine the patient to determine the cause of the pain. In some cases, X-rays or other clinical tests may be performed to pinpoint the problem. 
When it is determined that the cause of the pain is due to decay, the decay is treated with fillings or other materials. If the pain is caused by an infection in the dental nerve, root canal treatment may be performed. 
In cases such as fever or jaw swelling, the dentist may recommend antibiotic treatment. If the dentist deems it necessary, oral and dental hygiene is provided after gum treatment.

How to relieve toothache in children

If children consume too many sugary foods or acidic liquids, this can adversely affect their dental health and lead to a number of conditions. It is therefore important to avoid excessive consumption of such foods. 
Prolonged and excessive consumption of harmful foods can cause tooth decay and toothache. In order to prevent the development of such conditions, it is important to instill healthy eating habits, daily tooth brushing habits, and proper oral and dental hygiene in children. 
For toothaches that develop in children, a specialist should be consulted first. Treatment depends on the symptoms, age and general health of the child. The methods that can be applied in the treatment of toothache after a pediatric dentist examination are: 

  • Antibiotics
  • Pain medication
  • Filling or abscess drainage if necessary
  • Canal treatment if necessary

The above-mentioned items and methods are applied by pediatric dentists (pedodontists) when deemed necessary. The treatment process is planned by pediatric dentists.
However, some pains are not severe and are mild. In such cases, there are some methods that parents can apply at home. Some of the methods that can be done at home for toothache in children are as follows:

  • Clove oil application
  • Application of garlic paste to the painful area
  • gargle with salt water
  • Cold compress application
  • Daily tooth brushing
  • Daily flossing

If the pain recurs after being alleviated at home, you should go to the pedodontics department immediately. Pedodontics is the branch of dentistry where all oral-dental treatments and preventive applications are performed for children between the ages of 0-13.


Updated Date:03 March 2023Creation Date:04 August 2023