Toothache

It hurts when you smile or frown or eat or drink, when you clench or unclench your jaw, when you move your head in any direction. It even hurts when you breathe because cold air rushes into your mouth, over the tender tooth!

While waiting to see your dentist, the following are tips on how to stop the pain.

Rinse your toothache

Take a mouthful of water (at body temperature) and rinse vigorously. If the ache is caused by trapped food, a thorough rinse may dislodge the problem.

Floss gently

If the above does not work, floss gently.

Numb the pain

Hold a swig of whiskey over the painful tooth. The gum will absorb some of the alcohol and that will numb the pain. Spit out the rest.

Rinse with salty water

After each meal and at bedtime, stir one teaspoon of salt into an 8 ounce glass of water (at body temperature). Roll it around your mouth and spit.

Try a hand massage

Rub an ice cube into the V-shaped area where the bones of the thumb and forefinger meet. Gently push the ice over the area for 5 to 7 minutes. Research shows that this procedure works by sending rubbing impulses along the nerve pathways that the toothache pain would normally travel on.

Oil up with oil of cloves

Drop a little directly onto the tooth, dab a little on a cotton ball and pack the elixir next to the ache.

Do not bite

If it is caused by a blow to the tooth, try not to use that area when you eat.

Suck on some ice

Put ice on the aching tooth or the nearest cheek for 15 minutes intervals at least three or four times a day.

Keep your mouth shut

If cold air moving past the tooth is a problem, just shut off the flow.

Keep your mouth open

Some toothache happen when a person's bite is not quite right. Thus avoid shutting your mouth as much as possible.

Aspirin

Take an aspirin every 4 to 6 hours as required.

Stay cool

Keep heat away from your aching cheek.