A tooth abscess is a serious tooth infection that is formed when bacteria enter the tooth leading to the build-up of pus. This is an infection that forms inside the tooth and can occur from a broken or a cracked tooth and requires immediate dental emergency treatment. If not treated, it can spread to gum tissue, jaw muscles and the neighbouring teeth.
Suffering from dental abscess forms from a lack of dental care, and the infection may sometimes lead to swelling to airways, causing breathing difficulty. You may also suffer from fever and nausea.
The Five Remedies
A dental abscess does not get better on its own, and whilst it can be frustrating to wait for an emergency appointment, there are some proven emergency remedies that help to cope with the pain of a dental abscess.
- A Cold Compress – Swelling is expected to form when suffering from an abscess. Apply a cold compress such as an ice pack against the painful area to ease the pain.
- Clove Oil – Clove Oil contains an active ingredient called Eugenol that contains anaesthesia elements, helpful to numbing pain. Apply a small amount to the clove oil to the abscessed area. You must only apply a small fingertip amount as ingesting too much may lead to other symptoms such as a burning throat and feeling dizzy.
- Salt Water Rinse – Rinsing the mouth with salt water helps to wash away the pus and bacteria. This is a temporary measure to reduce the pain of the infection. Rinse for 30 seconds with a swish motion before spitting it out. If you’ve eaten and the mouth is full of food bits, rinse the mouth and also consider using dental floss.
- Peppermint Tea – Peppermint, like cloves, also contain numbing elements to soothe any pain from an abscess. A teaspoon of dried peppermint can be mixed with lukewarm water and perform a swish motion around the mouth for 30 seconds at a time. You may also use a wet tea bag as a compress for several minutes to ease the pain.
- Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash – Mouthwash containing hydrogen peroxide element is an effective antibacterial mouthwash to ease the pain. Be wary that hydrogen peroxide should never be swallowed and should only be used to rinse the mouth 30 seconds at a time. Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic, which releases oxygen to help clean the area and remove any dead cells, subsequently reducing bacteria.
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It is important to note that whilst these healing properties assist with managing pain, it won’t remove pain entirely. Therefore, as soon as an emergency appointment becomes available, take it, as the dentist is best placed to determine the immediate treatment to save your tooth.
If you’re suffering from oral pain and are unsure what to do next, we recommend only using these healing remedies until an appointment becomes available. Click here to contact us at Wahroonga Group and let us fit you in for emergency treatment.