Page 77 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: MOUTH, NOSE, AND THROAT PROBLEMS 75

Toothache and sensitive teeth

A toothache can range from a mild ache to a continuous
WARNING
throbbing pain. Tooth decay, usually due to poor dental hygiene,
is the most common cause, but pain in the teeth can also be due See your dentist immediately or go
to an emergency room if you have
to gum disease, a cracked tooth, or jaw problems. Teens and
severe, continuous pain when you
adults may have pain from wisdom teeth emerging. Your teeth bite; fever; foul-smelling breath;
may become sensitive to hot or cold or to brushing if the enamel and/or a swollen face. You may
that protects them becomes worn or cracked, or if your gums have a tooth abscess.
recede and expose the inner layers of the teeth.

See your dentist first
NATURAL REMEDIES
Make an appointment to see your dentist
if you are suffering from toothache. Oil of cloves (see p.187) is a traditional
remedy from your pharmacist that may help to soothe
an aching tooth. Put a few drops of
the oil on a cotton ball, place it
What you can do yourself on the painful tooth, and bite
Take the following steps to relieve a painful tooth down gently. Be careful to
keep the oil off your tongue
while you are waiting for an appointment with your
because it may burn a little.
dentist, or to reduce general sensitivity in your teeth.
● Avoid eating or drinking anything very hot or very
cold if this makes the pain worse. Some people, Clove oil
however, find that sucking on an ice cube in the The oil is distilled from
area of the toothache brings relief. Stop if the cloves and is antiseptic
tooth becomes more painful. and anesthetic, which
makes it useful for
● Rinse your mouth thoroughly with a salt water relieving a toothache.
mouthwash. To make it, mix a teaspoon of salt in
a cup of warm water.
● Try applying oil of cloves to a painful tooth
DRUG REMEDIES
(see NATURAL REMEDIES, right).
● Take an analgesic such as acetaminophen or Analgesics that can relieve the pain of a
ibuprofen (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). toothache include acetaminophen (see p.177) and
ibuprofen (see p.185).
● Use dental floss or tape to remove any food
● For a child, give acetaminophen (see p.177) or
debris trapped between your teeth. Gently clean
either side of the painful tooth. ibuprofen (see p.185), both available as liquid
medicine. Make sure you ask your pharmacist to
● If you have sensitive teeth, brush your teeth recommend an appropriate product for your child.
gently using toothpaste formulated for sensitive
teeth. After brushing, massage a little toothpaste
into your gums and leave it on overnight.
● Establish a good oral hygiene routine to prevent
further tooth decay (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE,
opposite page).