In the meantime, there are some at-home remedies that might help reduce the discomfort.
Home remedies for tooth abscess pain
- Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water: Mix half a teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water and proceed to rinse your mouth thoroughly.
- Applying a cold compress: To assist in decreasing inflammation and numbing the area, apply a bundle of ice contained in a thin cloth to the affected portion for a duration of 15 minutes.
- Clove oil rinse: To rinse your mouth, dilute a small amount of clove oil in water and use the mixture.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Non-prescription painkillers, like paracetamol and ibuprofen, can help manage the pain.
- Over-the-counter anesthetics and oral gels: These can be utilized to anesthetize the region and offer short-term alleviation.
Note: All these home remedies are only temporary measures and may not remedy the underlying cause of the abscess. It’s crucial to seek dentist attention as soon as possible.
Dental treatments for tooth abscess
Tooth abscesses are infections that can be extremely painful and can develop in various areas of the tooth. Typically, the treatment involves draining the abscess and getting rid of the infection. Dental professionals often perform certain procedures to address tooth abscess, such as:
- Root canal: This involves drilling into the infected tooth, cleaning out the pulp, and sealing it to prevent future infection.
- Extraction: In some cases where a root canal is not possible, the affected tooth may need to be removed.
- Incision and drainage: This temporary measure involves making a small cut in the gum to drain the abscess.
- Antibiotics: If the infection has spread beyond the site of the abscess, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help fight the infection.
It is crucial to contact a dentist at the first indication of a tooth infection as dental abscesses can have severe consequences. Although home remedies and over-the-counter treatments can alleviate some pain, they do not tackle the root cause of the infection and cannot replace the need for professional dental care.
Table of Best Pain Relievers for a Tooth Infection
Name | Brand Name | Function | Dosage |
---|---|---|---|
Ibuprofen | Advil | Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, fever-reducing | Tablets, oral suspension, liquid gel capsules |
Naproxen | Aleve | Anti-inflammatory, analgesic | Tablets |
Aspirin | – | Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, fever-reducing | Tablets |
Acetaminophen | Tylenol | Analgesic, fever-reducing | Tablets, oral suspension |