How to Deal With Pain While You Wait for a Dentist Appointment

Nothing is more viscerally unpleasant than tooth pain. During the interim between the scheduling of a dentist appointment and the actual appointment itself, you’re going to have to learn to deal with dental pain that may range from mild to intense. Here are some remedies you can look into in the meantime.

Salt Water Mouth Wash

This one is the easiest, simplest, and most direct at-home solution. Even if you don’t have the money or the resources to go out and buy yourself medications, you still have tap water and table salt. Get yourself a cup of hot water and mix in a generous amount of normal, household salt – maybe a couple of tablespoons. Swish it liberally inside your mouth, especially in and around the painful tooth in question. If bacteria are the source of your suffering, the salt water will change your oral pH level, thus killing the bacteria. The salt also can clean your teeth and gums.

Pain Medication

This category is broad, but generally the most effective method to deal with tooth pain. Your dentist or doctor may have already prescribed you a certain painkiller – and if that’s the case, then simply follow the directions on the medication in question. But more likely, you’re going to have to find over-the-counter medication that doesn’t require prescription, at least until you’ve had your appointment. Medication that reduces inflammation (like ibuprofen or naproxen) can be especially effective because they reduce painful swelling in the gums. No matter what medication you decide is right for you, you should follow the directions on the label to not take too many.

Numbing Agents

There are multiple ways that you can numb a toothache, including various gels, creams, and medications that are sold at your local pharmacy. But beyond those, there are even ways for you to numb the pain while at home. Using a cold pack (like ice, or even just a bag of frozen fruit or vegetables) can work wonders. Depending on the kind of pain, a heat pack can work too. Alternating between hot and cold is another possible option. Keeping your head elevated and above the rest of your body – especially for long periods of time, like when you sleep – can take circulation away from the inflamed area and provide relief.

Mouth pain is never pretty. Even relatively mild irritation can prove to be a huge nuisance, due to the number of nerves you have in your mouth and teeth. But if you carefully find the medications and at-home solutions that are right for you, you can survive the wait for the dentist appointment.

Check out this article on dental problems that you need to get checked out!