Frequent Toothache? These Teeth Cleaning Tricks May Help

Toothaches and tooth pain can run the gamut, from slightly annoying to nearly debilitating. For those with frequent toothaches, relief can’t come soon enough.

If you suffer from frequent toothaches or tooth pain, it’s first important to determine the cause of your discomfort. Tooth sensitivity is a common reason for tooth pain and can often be treated with products like sensitivity toothpaste or mouthwash.

However, if your tooth pain or toothache is the result of injury, damaged or missing restorations, an abscessed tooth, grinding or clenching, or an infection, you’ll need professional dental care as soon as possible. These problems will not get better on their own and can progress into bigger problems without treatment.

Paying attention to your oral hygiene is a simple way to start identifying the type and possible cause of your tooth pain because there could be something in your routine that is contributing to pain and discomfort. Making a few small changes to the way you care for your teeth could make a big difference in the way they feel.

Can brushing contribute to tooth pain?

Brushing too hard or too aggressively can irritate and inflame your gums and cause them to recede, exposing more of the tooth roots and making them more sensitive. 

The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush. The shape and size of your toothbrush can be relative to your preference. However, it is recommended to use a smaller toothbrush head, as this can be used to reach surfaces that are difficult to reach, such as your back molars. Be sure to replace your toothbrush every three months, or once you start to notice signs of wear. Always be cautious and make sure you use ADA-accredited fluoride toothpaste.

When brushing, angle the brush 45 degrees relative to your gum line. Move the bristles back and forth in tooth-wide strokes. Focus on the inner, chewing, and outer surfaces of your teeth. To best clean the inner surfaces of your front teeth, move the bristle head vertically and use up and down strokes. After you’ve brushed for two minutes, use clean water to remove any plaque and food particles from your mouth.

Is flossing hurting my teeth?

While flossing doesn’t hurt your teeth, the way you’re doing it might.

Start with 18″ of floss and wind most of it around each of your middle fingers. Leave about two inches of floss and hold the floss tightly between your index finger and your thumbs before sliding it smoothly up and down between your teeth.

Curve the floss gently around the base of your teeth and follow the line of your tooth, including below the gumline. Try to avoid snapping or forcing the floss, since your gums can be sensitive.

Use clean sections of floss while moving from one tooth to the next. After passing the floss around each tooth, remove it with the same back-and-forth motion. Once you’ve finished with each tooth, you can remove any excess food particles with a fluoride mouthwash for added protection.

Make sure you’re not forcing or jamming the floss into your gums or under your teeth and that you’re not pulling on your teeth.

Can toothpaste help my toothache?

If your tooth pain is caused by sensitivity, sensitivity or prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste can help reduce your discomfort. These products contain additional ingredients like strontium chloride and potassium nitrate that can help reduce pain and sensitivity by reinforcing the dentin in your teeth and protecting the nerves inside them from irritation. 

What can rinsing with salt water do for my toothache?

Saltwater can be a useful option in obtaining toothache relief as it can balance the pH of your mouth by creating an alkaline environment that bacteria cannot withstand. Salt water can also help heal inflammation or sores within the mouth as a gentle solution. Mixing one teaspoon of salt in warm water can help reduce gum inflammation, another cause of toothache. Gargle the saline solution for about thirty seconds and repeat as you experience discomfort.

Can home remedies help with toothaches?

Several home remedies may help you find relief.

Baking Soda.  Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, baking soda can also be effective at reducing tooth sensitivity and frequent tooth pain. It can be used to help mitigate harmful bacteria that can lead to cavities and toothache pain. To use baking soda as a toothache remedy, moisten a cotton swab by dipping it in water. Separately, place one tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl and dip the cotton swab in the baking soda, coating it well. Apply the cotton swab directly to your affected tooth. You can repeat this process as needed. Alternatively, you can also create a baking soda solution as a type of mouthwash. To do so, dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in one cup of lukewarm water. Use this as an oral mouthwash and repeat rinsing with water a few times to remove any excess baking soda.

Cloves. The use of cloves to relieve a toothache is based on their unique properties as an antiseptic and painkiller. This is because cloves contain a substance called eugenol. In its extracted purified form, eugenol is still used today. You can use cloves as a means of temporary toothache pain relief before visiting your dentist to find a more permanent toothache remedy. Making your own clove oil compress is a way to suppress toothache pain – just mix a few drops of clove essential oil with 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil. Soak a cotton ball in this mixture and hold it firmly to an affected tooth.

Hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a stronger solution to relieve a toothache instead of a saltwater solution since its antibacterial properties are more effective at attacking bacteria. Use caution when creating a hydrogen peroxide solution, as it can be harmful if ingested or not properly diluted. To use hydrogen peroxide as toothache relief, mix equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water. Swish the mixture in your mouth for about 30 seconds and repeat once or twice. This option may provide a few minutes of toothache pain relief and can aid in staving off gingivitis.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a toothache?

While there are several things you can do for fast relief, it’s important to follow up on any severe or persistent tooth pain with a visit to the dentist to find out what’s causing it.

Over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce inflammation and pain associated with a toothache. There are topical analgesics you can buy over the counter to temporarily numb the area, as well as medicated mouth rinses. You can also apply a cold compress or hot pack to the cheek or jaw where the tooth pain is occurring.

Treat Your Toothache with Castle Dental

If your toothache or tooth pain is more than temporary, it’s time to call a dentist. Cavities, infections, damaged teeth, or broken restorations are common causes of tooth pain, and without treatment, they can cause infection and decay that spreads into the jaw bone or even the bloodstream. If you’ve tried everything and still can’t find relief for your toothache, call Castle Dental today to schedule an appointment. We’ll help figure out what’s causing your pain and develop a treatment plan to take care of it. We also offer all the preventative and restorative dentistry services you need for a healthy, pain-free smile. Take care of your teeth and health with dental care from Castle Dental!