The last thing anyone needs is for a toothache to ruin their Friday evening, Saturday or Sunday. Just about everyone works hard from Monday to Friday with the hopes of enjoying a fun-filled and relaxing weekend. Though the weekend lasts a mere 48 hours, it means a great deal to those of us who put in a traditional 40-hour workweek. The unfortunate truth is toothaches tend to be more common on weekends as people consume more food during these happy few days. Furthermore, more people participate in athletics on the weekend, making tooth pain stemming from injuries that much more likely. Here is a quick look at exactly how you should approach your weekend toothache.
Timely dental care is essential for toothaches. However, your dentist will likely be busy or closed on the weekend. You are not powerless if you experience a toothache on the weekend. Analgesics available over-the-counter such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen are highly effective at minimizing tooth pain. Take one of these analgesics, and you will find it is that much easier to live everyday life and enjoy restful sleep until you can meet with the dentist.
Oral anesthetic gels have the potential to irritate the gums, yet there are numerous alternatives such as clove oil. This oil allows the nerve to settle down until the dentist can analyze your oral health situation and treat the tooth in question. Aside from clove oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil and vanilla extract also help reduce oral pain. Just dip a cotton swab in one of these oils and apply it to the teeth and the gums.
If you do not have clove oil on-hand, do not give up. Head to your freezer, pull out an ice pack and press it to the outer part of your face. You can also run hot water over this portion of your mouth while showering. Plenty of people with toothaches have obtained relief by swishing salt water around in their mouth. Just make sure the salt water is warm, or at least room temperature as cold water has the potential to amplify the pain. Warm salt water soothes a toothache and disinfects the entirety of the mouth. In some cases, merely flossing the painful tooth in question helps as it dislodges particles trapped between the teeth and the gums.
A lost or cracked dental filling is a significant problem that should be tended to as soon as the dentist is available. You can obtain temporary relief on the weekend by taking care of the tooth on your own. However, you should be aware of the fact that as soon as a filling moves, the remainder of the tooth will be susceptible to breaking. Do your best to chew on the side of the mouth opposite from that with the cracked or lost dental filling. It will also help to brush your teeth and rinse with mouthwash or warm salt water to ensure the area is clean. You can also visit with the pharmacy to obtain a temporary dental filling you can apply on your own. This temporary filling will suffice until the dentist can analyze your toothache during the workweek.
Contact our oral health experts as soon as you experience tooth pain. We are also here for dental exams and cleanings. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.
Request a dental appointment here: https://www.carmelsmilesdentist.com or call Smiles in the Village Dentistry at (317) 200-3679 for an appointment in our Carmel dental office.
An emergency dentist is a particular type of dental professional who undergoes additional education and training to learn how to deal with urgent and emergency situations. While emergency dentists do learn how to provide general dentistry care, they also learn how to think and act on the spot when an emergency happens. In most cases,…
Wondering whether a damaged tooth constitutes a dental emergency? Read on to find out. A damaged tooth may be considered a dental emergency if it causes severe and borderline intolerable discomfort (pain, swelling, sensitivity), causes a severe cosmetic issue, or is at risk of worsening complications, such as the loss of the tooth or the…
A toothache can do more than cause you pain and swelling. A painful tooth means a possible infection that can cause fever, earache, and migraine. If left untreated, a toothache can cause serious complications to your health. Recurring tooth pain should be taken seriously and requires the attention of a dental professional.Dentists treat each case…
Though they can be extremely painful, not every unexpected dental issue necessitates a visit to an emergency dentist. Whether you wake up in the middle of the night with tooth pain, or if you were in a sports accident that damaged a tooth, you may be wondering if you need immediate attention. Knowing when to…
As cosmetic dentistry options that can fix the look of damaged or stained teeth, dental veneers can help restore the smile of patients with gum disease. Many are able to get this treatment when the disease is under control. However, gingivitis or periodontitis is different for every patient. One patient may have a disease that…
A restorative dentist is exactly who you need to talk to if you have missing teeth. Losing a tooth can be a worrisome experience as you realize your smile has been permanently changed. Fortunately, there are many missing tooth replacement options these days thanks to the countless dental innovations that have occurred in the past…