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A man holds his face in pain as he experiences a dental emergency.

Pain functions like a warning sign, alerting you to a problem with your body. When pain occurs in your mouth, it typically indicates you have an oral health issue.

Severe pain in your teeth and gums tells you that you have a dental emergency. Although seeing an emergency dentist near you promptly is the best thing you can do if you suspect you have a dental emergency, you may have to wait a few hours or even overnight if the emergency office is closed or you need to make arrangements for child care or handle other practical matters before you come in for treatment. 

Suppose you can’t see an emergency dentist immediately. In that case, you may wonder how to manage your pain until you can seek dental care. Let’s look at some dental emergency pain management options to help you with your pain until you get the emergency dental care you need.

Over-The-Counter Pain Relief Options

Taking over-the-counter painkillers can offer some relief when you have severe pain. Over-the-counter options include the following:

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Aspirin
  • Ibuprofen

These painkillers either prevent your nerves from relaying messages about your pain to your brain or target inflammation, reducing your pain by reducing the symptoms of inflammation.

These over-the-counter painkillers are affordable and accessible because pharmacies, grocery stores, retail stores, and gas stations sell them. However, there are potential side effects from long-term use, and the standard dosage of over-the-counter medications may not be enough to eliminate all pain.

Pregnancy 

Pregnancy affects which over-the-counter painkillers you can take. While acetaminophen is considered safe, you should not take aspirin or ibuprofen for pain management during pregnancy. 

Home Remedies For Pain Relief 

There are several reasons why over-the-counter painkillers may not be a viable pain management option, including the following: 

  • Allergies to painkillers
  • Pregnancy
  • Severe pain preventing you from driving or leaving your home

Some also prefer home remedies if they’re an option. Fortunately, some home remedies can alleviate your pain, including the following:

  • Applying clove oil to your teeth or gums
  • Applying cold compresses or ice to your face
  • Applying vanilla extract to your teeth or gums
  • Chewing garlic
  • Rinsing your mouth with cayenne pepper, hydrogen peroxide, or saltwater

Cold compresses and ice are among the most straightforward options. Put ice in a Ziploc bag, add cold water, remove any air in the bag, and wrap the bag in a towel or face cloth. Apply the compress to your face where you feel pain. The cold helps numb the pain site, combat inflammation, and reduce blood flow, which helps reduce pain. 

Sleeping With Dental Pain

It can be challenging to sleep when you have severe dental pain; however, you can help reduce pain by elevating your head while you rest. Keeping your head elevated helps to prevent swelling, which can increase your pain.

In addition to elevating your head, you can combine over-the-counter painkillers and home remedies for pain management. To rinse your mouth, combine warm water and table salt. Recommended combinations call for combining half a teaspoon of table salt with one cup (8 ounces) of warm water; some recipes call for a full teaspoon of salt. If you’re using over-the-counter painkillers, take them after you rinse your mouth and apply a cold compress to your face.

Pain Relief For Specific Dental Emergencies

There are multiple types of dental emergencies and multiple pain management options. Depending on the nature of your emergency, specific pain management options may be best.

Suppose you need pain management for a dental abscess. At URBN Dental, we recommend rinsing with salt water for dental abscess pain and wisdom tooth pain. We also recommend applying clove oil if you have pain from a damaged crown or missing filling

You can also take over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen until you can come in for emergency dental care.

Signs Of A Dental Emergency 

Common symptoms of dental emergencies include the following:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Broken tooth
  • Damaged dental appliances
  • Dental abscess
  • Difficulty opening mouth
  • Loose tooth
  • Missing fillings
  • Pain
  • Sores or growths in the mouth
  • Swelling
  • Toothache
  • Tooth falls out
  • You taste metal

The reason for your dental emergency may be clear if you’ve been in an accident, but you may need a dental examination to determine the reason for your symptoms. You should immediately see an emergency dentist near you for an examination if your face is swollen. You should also see an emergency dentist immediately if you have a knocked-out tooth with the roots still intact. Taking appropriate steps, such as submerging the tooth and roots in cow’s milk, can preserve the tooth so your dentist can replant it.

Managing Pain After Treatment

Your emergency dentist will provide treatment for your dental emergency, alleviating your symptoms and pain. In some cases, further treatment may be necessary. Your emergency dentist may refer you to your dentist or a dental specialist. For example, if your emergency involves a damaged retainer, you may need to see your orthodontist.

It’s also normal to experience pain after some dental procedures. You may have pain for a few days after your wisdom teeth are extracted. You may also experience some pain after having other teeth extracted. Your emergency dentist can offer pain management options to reduce the pain after a dental extraction, or you can use the options we’ve shared here. 

Emergency Dental Pain Relief

The best way to alleviate the pain from a dental emergency is to see an emergency dentist in Houston promptly. You can use over-the-counter painkillers and home remedies for pain relief until you seek emergency dental care.

At URBN Dental, we provide expert emergency dental services for all dental emergencies. Contact us today or drop into one of our emergency dental offices so we can help eliminate your pain and treat your dental emergency. 

Find the URBN Dental location nearest you and book an appointment today.

Sources:

Kumar, K. (2024). What is Clove Oil Used For?

McPhillips, A. (2024). Wisdom Teeth Removal: What Adults Should Expect

Oral Analgesics for Acute Dental Pain: Nonopioid Analgesics. (2024).

Oral Health During Pregnancy. (2024).

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