STATISTICAL information coming from the public dental service reveals that most persons visit the dentist because of toothache. They naturally expect that the offending tooth will be extracted. But just because you have a terrible toothache does not mean the tooth will have to be extracted. Root canal therapy can save an abscessed tooth or one with a damaged pulp (packet of nerves and blood vessels in the core) and should be the preferred procedure over extraction, obviously if the patient can afford it.

Incidentally, we need to remember even if a pain appearing anywhere in the mouth should go away by itself, it should not be ignored. Sometimes it could point to a serious condition. For example, heart problems may first manifest themselves as pain in the lower jaw and teeth.
You may justifiably ask, “if I suddenly get a toothache what can I do about it other than going immediately to see a dentist (which is almost always unlikely)?” you may want to try any one of these as a temporary measure for alleviation.

First, take a double dose of the analgesic you normally would take for an ordinary headache. I usually recommend for immediate relief 600mgs of Ibuprofen (Motrin). Second, a tiny cotton ball soaked in clove oil and placed in the cavity invariably mitigates the pain immediately. If you cannot get clove oil, pulverise a few cloves in a drop of olive oil and use that instead. Third, apply a cold compress to the affected areas, especially if the corresponding cheek had recently begun to swell. Cold is the only physical agent capable of subduing inflammation, of which the symptoms include pain and swelling. Occasionally, it may help if cold water is held in the
mouth. But one should be careful when using cold or heat with aching teeth.

Fourth, an increase in blood pressure can cause toothache. The pulp chamber cannot distend to accommodate the changes in pressure because it is located in the centre of the tooth. The augmented pressure, therefore, compresses the nerves, which results in pain. Elevation of the head can decrease pressure. This method may be found to be useful when the toothache attacks during the hours of slumber. However, even if relief is achieved, the pain wakes you up at night; it is serious for the tooth.

Fifth, tooth pain after eating sweets means the acid produced from the converted sugar is acting on the exposed nerve endings in the cavity. The way to resist this is to neutralise the acid. A home remedy is rinsing the mouth in the morning with a solution of baking soda. Baking powder has some sodium bicarbonate, which can also be utilised. The sixth and final recommendation to achieve emergency relief from a toothache is to clean out the cavity (the direct application of alcohol in the cavity usually numbs it for a short while) and then plug it completely with sugarless chewing gum.

It must be emphasised that these are only some temporary measures to get relief from a toothache. In every case of tooth pain, professional assistance should be sought for a permanent cure.