Toothache: What to Do When You Can’t Visit the Dentist

Toothache knows no boundaries, and despite global and economic circumstances, teeth unfortunately continue to hurt. Yet, visiting a dentist immediately isn't always possible. This article provides practical guidance on how to manage toothache at home until professional help is available.

What Should You Do if You Have a Toothache?

The internet offers numerous suggestions on managing toothaches, often including:

• Apply something cold;
• Taking aspirin to relieve toothache at home.
• Rinse the mouth with soda or herbal decoctions, etc.

However, excessive painkillers might cause more harm than good. To avoid complications, it's essential to consult a dentist as soon as possible. Before contacting your dentist, conduct a preliminary self-assessment following these steps:

Step 1. Identify the Type of Pain

Try to describe the nature of your toothache (sharp, throbbing, dull, constant, or intermittent).

Step 2. Determine When the Pain Occurs

Note whether the pain is constant, occurs while eating, when biting down, or when consuming specific types of foods (sweet, cold, or acidic). Write down these triggers.

If pain occurs with sweets, cold, or acidic foods, this may indicate tooth decay. If the pain is prolonged and persistent, especially from nerve damage, pain relief combined with antibiotics might be necessary. You can request an online prescription if you're abroad.

* the cost of the service according to the price list

Step 3. Check for Gum Inflammation

If your gum is swollen near the tooth, seek immediate dental consultation. Antibiotics and painkillers alone cannot address underlying issues; they merely provide temporary relief.

Step 4. Note When Pain is Strongest

Record when your toothache intensifies (morning, evening, or night).

Thus, you can independently collect important information and write it to the doctor, also indicating which tooth hurts, in which place, and what kind of pain.

What if You Can’t Reach a Dentist?

In these cases, you can always sign up for a free 15-minute consultation at the Smile Office dental clinic or write us on one of the most convenient messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook, as well as by e-mail info@smileoffice.lv. 

Our dentist can help assess your symptoms and quickly prescribe appropriate medication. However, keep in mind that painkillers don't eliminate the cause; they temporarily mask symptoms. Promptly scheduling an appointment with a dentist is essential for comprehensive treatment.