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8 Dentist-Approved Remedies to Treat Tooth Pain at Home

Discover eight dentist-approved remedies to manage tooth pain outside the dentist’s office

If you’re desperately scouring the web for ways to relieve your tooth pain, you’ve come to the right place.

Toothaches turn eating into a chore and can ruin your focus, your mood, and your sleep. If you’re dealing with a bad one right now, chances are you’re willing to climb Mount Everest in a bathing suit to get some relief.

While there’s no better remedy than visiting your San Diego dentist, if it’s one in the morning and you can’t sleep, or your dentist isn’t open yet, home remedies can help you manage your tooth pain in the meantime.

To keep you sane until your checkup, we compiled this list of eight dentist-approved remedies using everyday items you’re likely to find in your house.

But before we get started, let us make this abundantly clear. We built this list to give you relief until you can make it to the dentist. None of the items below will cure your toothache, and we strongly encourage you to make an appointment as soon as possible for the good of your smile.

We know that financial obstacles can get in the way, but avoiding the dentist will only allow the issue to worsen, leading to more costly treatments down the road.

That’s why it’s important to find a dentist who will work with you to provide the care you need within your budget. If you need help choosing a dentist near you, we’ve put together some useful tips here.

1. Salt Water Rinse

Does salt water help tooth pain? Rinsing with salt water is one of the oldest tooth pain-treating tricks in the book, quite literally. Historical records indicate toothache victims in ancient China gargled with saltwater to temporarily relieve their pain.

And there’s a reason this method stood the test of time.

Thanks to a process called osmosis, salt drains the water out of certain oral bacteria, essentially neutralizing it. This antibacterial quality makes saltwater a useful tool for fighting tooth pain and reducing inflammation.

To ease your tooth pain, mix half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of water and swish for thirty seconds. This method is an excellent way to manage pain caused by oral infections, ulcers, or tooth extractions and dentures.

 

2. Baking Soda

If a thief broke into your house and stole all your salt, look around for some baking soda.

Well, the question is, “does baking soda help with tooth pain?” Yes, Baking soda for sensitive teeth is a powerful dental care secret weapon with a wide variety of uses. When you rinse with this everyday household item, pain relief is just one of the many benefits your teeth can enjoy.

Baking soda for tooth pain relief also balances the pH levels in your mouth, protecting your teeth from high acidity, curing bad breath, and keeping gingivitis at bay.

How to get rid of toothache pain? If you have a toothache or painful mouth sore, mix two teaspoons of baking soda into a glass of water and use it as a mouthwash. This baking soda toothache will help you get rid of tooth pain.

At Home Remedies for Tooth Pain: You often need instant medication because you cannot bear the pain more. You can rinse your mouth with salt or use ice on the numb area to relieve the pain.

And if you want to go the extra mile, put a pinch of baking soda on your toothbrush and brush away!

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another great choice if you’re struggling with tooth pain. If you don’t already have some in your medicine cabinet, you can find it at most drug stores and supermarkets.

Whereas saltwater has natural disinfectant qualities, peroxide directly attacks harmful bacteria to protect your mouth from infection and ease your pain.

It can also help soothe pain caused by ulcers and sore throats and is a common ingredient in many Permanent Teeth Whitening products.

For temporary relief, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water and swish for thirty seconds. Just be careful not to swallow.

4. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Anti-inflammatory medications like Motrin, Advil, and Tylenol can make your tooth pain more manageable while you wait to see your San Diego dentist.

If you’ve ever had a minor restoration put in, your dentist may have recommended these over-the-counter options to help with your recovery.

Anti-inflammatories can briefly reduce your swelling and the head pressure that often comes with toothaches, providing much-needed relief. Be sure to consult with your doctor before using these medications and take them only as directed.

5. Ice or Cold Compress

Just as you would with a sprained ankle, you can apply ice or a cold compress to the affected tooth to ease your swelling and discomfort.

If you’re using a bag of ice or frozen vegetables, wrap it in a towel and place it on the side of your face that’s causing you trouble. Hold it there in intervals of fifteen to twenty minutes, resting fifteen to twenty minutes between applications.

The cold will help with the swelling and provide a slight numbing effect for temporary pain relief. If you find you’re having trouble sleeping, applying ice or a cold compress before bed may alleviate your tooth pain enough for you to get a good night’s sleep again.

6. Peppermint Tea Bags

Ready to get a little creative? As you may know, peppermint can have a slight numbing effect. This unique trait is all thanks to something called menthol.

Menthol is what makes your mouth feel cool and fresh whenever you suck on a peppermint. And with used peppermint tea bags, you can put this naturally numbing ingredient to work for your toothache.

After brewing some peppermint tea, remove the tea bags and allow them to cool. You can even put them in the freezer for a little to speed up the process. Once they’re cool enough to comfortably place in your mouth, apply to the affected tooth and hold for fifteen to twenty minutes.

7. Vanilla Extract

Another common household item, vanilla extract contains alcohol, which can temporarily numb your toothache. It’s also been proven to have antioxidant properties. To apply, simply dab with your finger or a cotton ball and place it on your tooth until you feel it working its magic.

We recommend using vanilla extract as a backup plan if none of the above options work out, as things like ice and over-the-counter medicine will be more effective at reducing your pain and discomfort.

8. Garlic

If all else fails – if you have none of the items listed above and all the drug stores are closed – it might be time to head to the kitchen.

Yes, believe it or not, one of the world’s favorite vegetables has been proven to have antibacterial qualities when exposed to oral bacteria.

For minor toothache relief, you can crush up some garlic into a paste, add some salt for taste, and apply it to your tooth. Or, simply chew on a fresh clove.

Either way, make sure you brush your teeth afterward, or you may notice people staying a safe distance away from you!

The Best Dentist-Approved Toothache Remedy at Home

If you find yourself experiencing tooth pain, it can be easy to assume the worst. And with the financial burden to consider, going to the dentist can seem out of the question.

But it’s crucial to think about what can happen if you don’t seek treatment. Tooth aching is a serious warning sign that can occur for several different reasons. They can be a sign of oral infection, decay, an abscess, or a damaged tooth.

If left untreated, these issues can fester and cause serious complications that require much more expensive treatments than minor restorations like fillings.

The best way to cure your toothache and avoid severe problems is to pay a visit to your San Diego dentist as soon as possible.

Kill Tooth Pain Nerve in 3 Seconds Permanently 

If you are feeling toothache and tooth pain, which is unbearable, visit the dentist. Your dentist will prescribe the painkiller and other medication to kill the pain immediately.

 

At Dental Express, we understand how intimidating dental bills can be, which is why we put your oral health first.

Our mission is to leave your smile healthier than when we found it, and we’re always willing to adapt your dental care plan around your individual needs and budget.

We believe everyone deserves quality dental care, and we’re happy to do whatever we can to take the financial stress out of the equation.

If you’re in the San Diego area and you’re struggling with a toothache, please don’t hesitate to call us at any of our six locations. We’d love to give you back your pain-free smile!

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Baking Soda: The Secret to At-Home Dental Care – San Diego Dentists

Baking Soda: The Secret to At-Home Dental Care

How to save money and protect your teeth with this do-it-yourself remedy

We all have it lying around somewhere…It might be hiding in the back of your pantry. Or maybe it’s buried behind a million different bottles of assorted spices in your seasoning cabinet.

It’s time to dig it up and dust it off! That lonely little box of baking soda receding gums is the key to completely (and cheaply) transforming your at-home dental health regimen.

Just make a paste of salt water and soda and give your teeth a punch of strength.

At Dental Express, we want each of our patients to know how best to take care of their teeth outside of the office. And that extends to you too.

Our goal is to give you the tools to boost your at-home dental health and save you money at the dentist’s office. That’s why we’re going to cover the many benefits of using baking soda, and how to easily add it into your oral care routine.

What Does Baking Soda Do for Your Teeth? Whiten Teeth with Baking Soda

So, what’s so special about this everyday household item? How does it help protect your teeth? Can it really help prevent gingivitis?

In short, baking soda good for your teeth and is essentially working to balance the pH levels in your mouth to help prevent tooth decay.

If you are thinking about how to remove tooth decay yourself? Baking soda comes in the list of remedies to improve your dental health.

We all have hardened, calcified tissue called enamel that surrounds and protects our teeth’ inner layers. You’ve probably seen a thousand toothpaste commercials over the years warning you about the dangers of enamel decay.

Well, they’re right.

Since enamel doesn’t contain any living tissue, once it’s gone, it’s gone.

The only way to restore decayed or worn-down enamel is by going to a dental professional. That’s why it’s incredibly important to get regular dental check-ups and do all we can at home to improve our dental health.

The Dental Health Security Guard

When we eat or drink, the acid in whatever we’re ingesting causes something called acid erosion.

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, erosion occurs when acid in the foods and drinks you consume wears away your enamel. 

Without proper care and attention, this can eventually lead to the exposure of your teeth’ inner layers, causing them to look damaged and discolored.

The American Dental Association states that the critical pH, meaning the point when acid erosion starts to occur, is when your mouth’s pH level drops below 5.1-5.5. Typically, this effect happens when we eat or drink foods rich in carbohydrates, and it takes 1 to 2 hours to go back to normal.

So, it all boils down to the pH levels in your mouth.

Acidic foods and drinks lower your pH levels past the critical point, and foods on the other end of the pH spectrum help provide balance to prevent tooth decay.

Tooth Decay Treatment at Home

HOW CAN BAKING SODA SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS?

Thanks to its high pH, baking soda serves as a strong bodyguard for our enamel.

Raising the pH levels in our mouth protects our teeth from the dangerous side effects of high acidity.

In fact, a PubMed study at the University of Manitoba shows that when used soon after eating, high baking soda toothpaste helps the mouth’s pH levels return to normal much faster than toothpaste with lower amounts, significantly decreasing the risk of cavities.

Moreover, baking soda for teeth and gums helps to kill bacteria on the teeth and protect your gums from getting damaged. 

It is also one of the best materials to break up the biofilm and remove all the stains from your teeth.

And you’ll be amazed at all the other ways baking soda can positively impact your dental health.

Does Baking Soda Help with Gingivitis?

The answer to that question is a resounding YES!

This DENTAL SECRET is perhaps the biggest item on the baking soda benefits list.

Also known as gum disease, gingivitis is a painful condition caused by the buildup of plaque on your teeth.

As a result of poor dental hygiene, gingivitis can lead to swollen, sensitive gums, and it can cause gums to recede or even bleed when brushing or flossing. Bad breath is another unfortunate result of this awful condition.

But don’t worry, believe it or not, baking soda can tackle every single problem caused by gingivitis! 

Brushing with baking soda for dental health or using soda toothpaste is a great way to reduce and prevent gingivitis-causing plaque buildup.

The ingredient is safe to use once a day as it does not harm your teeth.

Less plaque means less tooth decay, which means you can say goodbye to bad breath.

Because of its pH-balancing effects, baking soda for teeth also helps minimize swelling and sensitivity, promoting happy, healthy gums.

And as you might have guessed, when your gums and teeth are gingivitis-free, that means fewer trips to the dreaded dentist’s office!

When you’re proactive with your at-home dental care, you can show off your smile with confidence, knowing that you’re taking good care of your teeth and saving money in the process.

All-in-One Oral Health

In addition to helping heal and prevent gingivitis, baking soda has some other tricks up its sleeve. We mentioned that it helps reduce the risk of cavities, but it doesn’t stop there…

  • Repairs damage caused by cavities: The American Dental Association states that by getting rid of plaque, soda helps stop cavities that are in the beginning stages of forming, and actually repairs the damage they cause.
  • Bye-bye bad breath: Baking soda doesn’t just fight bad breath caused by gingivitis. It helps fix morning breath, coffee breath, and everyday bad breath too!
  • Results you can see: Baking soda toothpaste proves more effective at removing stains and dental teeth whitening than other toothpaste. When you see your smile visibly getting whiter, the happiness and confidence you’ll feel will motivate you to stay on top of your dental health!
  • Out with the bad, in with the good: Studies show that not only does baking soda help remove unwanted bacteria from the mouth, it also fosters the growth of good bacteria. This benefit creates an even healthier environment for your teeth and gums to thrive in.
  • Where no toothpaste has gone before: A study cited by the American Dental Association states that toothpaste containing bake soda actually hits harder-to-reach places more effectively than toothpaste without it. More coverage means less plaque, which means a healthier mouth!
  • Rinse away the pain: Can’t smile or open your mouth without a painful sore giving you grief? Baking soda is proven to help relieve pain and even speed up the healing process!

It’s hard to believe just how beneficial baking soda can be for your dental health. And the best part is, it’s super easy and affordable to add to your daily routine.

How To Get Rid of Cavities by Adding Baking Soda to Your Dental Care Routine?

Armed with all this knowledge, let’s learn how to apply it.

As it turns out, working baking soda into your dental care regimen is as easy as brushing your teeth!

We recommend picking up some soda toothpaste for two reasons:

 1. Baking Soda toothpaste tastes better.

2. Baking soda is much easier to use every day and reap the benefits. 

Whatever kind you choose, make sure it also has fluoride treatment, an essential ingredient! Of course, if you’d rather have plain soda you can find it at your local grocery store.

Baking soda is cheap and effective!

If you don’t already have baking soda toothpaste, just put some regular toothpaste on your brush, wet it, and coat it with bake soda. Then brush away! This at-home solution also works without toothpaste. Simply wet your toothbrush, dip it into baking soda, and brush.

If you notice you have bad breath, simply mix a tiny spoonful (approximately 2 tsp) of bake soda into water and swish it around like mouthwash to leave your mouth feeling clean and refreshed.

This at-home baking soda remedy is a great way to ease discomfort and accelerate the healing of any painful mouth sores.

Baking soda is quite possibly the easiest and most affordable way to improve your dental health outside the <a title=”dentist’s office” href=”https://www.thedentalexpress.com/”>dentist’s office.

From battling gingivitis to beating bad breath, it’s safe to say that we can all benefit from using soda in our daily routines.

Before long, you’ll notice your gums feeling healthier, your teeth looking whiter, and your smile looking happier. Oh, and your wallet will feel a little heavier too!

YOU-Focused Dental Care

At Dental Express, we know how important it is for our patients to build healthy habits at home to take better care of their teeth.

We aim to provide knowledge and services that keep your smile as healthy as possible while saving you money along the way.

If you’re looking for family-friendly, affordable dentists San Diego area, we’ve got you covered. Make an appointment at any one of our 6 locations today.

We look forward to seeing your smile!

Sources

AGD Tooth erosion: http://www.agd.org/public/OralHealthFacts/files/pdfgenerator.aspx?pdf=FS_ToothErosion.pdf&id=307565#:~:text=Acid%20erosion%20occurs%20when%20acid,cracked%2C%20transparent%2C%20and%20discolored.

ADA – Baking soda dentifrices and oral health https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(17)30822-X/fulltext#secsectitle0015

ADA – Effect of baking soda in dentifrices on plaque removal https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(17)30809-7/fulltext#secsectitle0055

University of Manitoba study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11524867/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gingivitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354453