Have you ever had a tooth that had trouble trying to break through the gums? This is called an impacted tooth and is common with wisdom teeth. The tooth gets stuck in your jaw bone or gum and causes swelling. The tooth can be painful and will sometimes get infected.
Glenlake Dental Care notes that the best solution is to have a general or family dentist in Northbrook extract it. As you wait for that moment, here are some easy ways to ease the pain.
Try OTC painkillers
Most of the time, an impacted tooth will cause pain that may spread to the neighboring teeth or even the ear. You can reduce the pain by taking painkillers that you can buy from a drugstore near you. Ibuprofen is an excellent choice, as it can relieve pain and reduce the swelling.
Rinse with warm salty water
This is one of the most common home remedies for impacted teeth. Put warm water in a cup and add a half teaspoon of salt. Stir before gargling with the solution. Swish and focus on the affected area before spitting the water out.
Use a mouthwash
You can also try using an antibacterial mouthwash on an infected wisdom tooth. Swish the mouthwash for about half a minute and then spit it out.
Avoid foods that can aggravate pain
Extremely hot food and beverages can increase pain in the affected area, so avoid them at all costs. Don’t eat foods that you need to chew too much either, as this can irritate the affected part and cause it to bleed.
The ultimate solution to a troublesome impacted tooth is having it extracted at a dental office. These home remedies will help alleviate the pain and suffering before your appointment with a dentist.
