Temporary Relief For A Cracked Tooth
Dealing with a cracked or chipped tooth can be a miserable experience for just about anyone. Unfortunately, there are plenty of reasons why you might not be able to get to your dentist right away. It's times like these when you could use a little relief from your pain. The following offers a few tips for relieving the pain and stress caused by a cracked or chipped tooth while you wait to get to a 24 hour dentist like Milan Simanek DDS.
Pain Relief Tips
The first thing you want to do to temporarily relieve tooth pain is to rinse your mouth with warm salt water. It works as a surprisingly effective antiseptic, with recent surveys touting its effectiveness in destroying harmful oral bacteria. Using a salt water rinse on a twice-daily basis can help alleviate your toothache until you're able to get to your dentist.
You can also combine your salt water rinse with over-the-counter pain (OTC) relief medications. The best medications are those that specifically deal with tooth pain, as many of these target tissue inflammation that is usually at the heart of the problem. Carefully read the instructions before using OTC medications, as improper use could just make matters worse.
Clove oil, found in most health food stores, offers a more natural solution for dealing with temporary tooth pain relief. Clove oil contains eugenol, a chemical compound that offers antiseptic and anesthetic benefits. Soak one end of a cotton swab in the oil and blot out the excess on a paper towel. Place the swab against the affected tooth for a few seconds. You'll want to make sure you don't ingest any of the oil while you're doing this.
Overnight Care Tips
Unless you have access to a 24-hour dentist, chances are you'll have to wait until the morning to see an expert about your teeth. Until then, you're left with the unenviable possibility of spending the night with an inflamed tooth.
One way you can deal with this is by simply keeping your head elevated as you rest. Doing this may help some of the pressure and inflammation decrease a bit, giving you a better opportunity to rest easier. You'll also want to floss between the affected teeth and rinse your mouth before going to sleep. This will prevent food particles and bacteria from becoming a problem.
You'll also want to avoid excess motions that could further aggravate your current condition or make your cracked or chipped tooth worse. If possible, you can temporarily seal up cracks and holes with OTC temporary tooth filler or sealant. These products can not only stop cracks from developing any further, but it can also momentarily shield the dentin from exposure to the elements.
What to Steer Clear Of
You'll want to steer clear of any excessively hot or cold foods and beverages. Since a cracked or chipped tooth has likely exposed the sensitive dentin layer of your tooth, exposure to foods and drinks like ice cream and freshly brewed tea can aggravate your toothache.
You'll also want to stay away from foods and beverages that are laden with sugar or very acidic. It's bad enough that you're dealing with a damaged tooth and the pain that comes with it. The last thing you want to do is to add substances that could potentially break down tooth enamel and leave your teeth in worse shape. That means soda, candy and orange juice are all off the menu.
Knowing how to manage dental emergencies like these can help you minimize the damage left behind and also heal faster. Above all, the most important thing you can do is to simply relax as much as you can as you await a dental examination the next day.
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