When you have a toothache, you may find yourself searching for any method of relieving the pain and discomfort it is causing you. However, if you use the wrong home remedy, you may wind up making things worse. While trying to find relief, make sure you avoid making the following mistakes when treating your toothache at home.
1. Applying an Aspirin on the Tooth
You may have heard from your grandmother or other older relatives that the best way to treat a toothache is to crush up an aspirin, mix it with a little bit of water, and apply the paste to your tooth. The premise behind this method is that it delivers the pain-relieving effects directly to the aching tooth.
However, if you do apply aspirin to your tooth, you will only make the situation worse. Aspirin is caustic to the mucous membranes of your body, which is why many types come with an enteric coating to protect the stomach lining.
The aspirin you place on your tooth will come into contact with your gums, which are made from a membranous tissue. If allowed to remain for more than a few minutes, the aspirin will start irritating the gum tissue, breaking the surface down and making your gums bleed or causing mouth ulcers to form.
2. Putting a Makeshift Filling over the Tooth
Another mistake you should avoid while trying to treat your toothache at home is to put a makeshift filling over the tooth. This method is done by using dental wax you can find in the pharmacy. The filling is supposed to cover any cracks or cavities that may be allowing air, food, and liquid into the tooth and causing the ache.
However, if you blindly fill your tooth with the wax without knowing the cause of the aching, you may wind up with a serious infection. If the tooth is already infected and is draining, the wax filling will block the drainage, causing it to build up inside your tooth and gums. Not only will the increased pressure cause you more pain, but the accumulation of pus could cause an abscess.
Along with the above mistakes, the biggest mistake you can make is hoping the toothache goes away on its own, as it will only get worse if you do not have it professionally treated. If you have a toothache, contact a dental services office to make an appointment so that the dentist can find and treat the cause of your discomfort.
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