As anyone who has ever had a toothache knows, an emergency dentist near me can be your best friend when it comes to dealing with toothaches that hit without warning. If you’re experiencing pain that seems like it’s coming from your teeth, gums, or jaw, the first thing you should do is call the dentist that you normally see and ask them what to do in this situation. While most dentists will be closed when you need them the most, there are some who are open on weekends or have weekend hours in addition to their weekday hours.
Finding an emergency dentist
Even though there are 24 hour dentist near me, sometimes it can be difficult to find a local emergency dentist. In an emergency, you should contact your insurance company and ask for an in-network 24-hour emergency dentist. If your insurance doesn’t have any dental coverage, call around and see if anyone can see you immediately. Since most dentists work during normal business hours, it might not be easy to find someone who will see you after hours; however, calling a few local providers will probably yield at least one provider who can see you or has an opening early in the morning before their office opens.
Try An Over-the-Counter Pain Reliever
Most of us have pain relievers lying around our homes for headaches, cramps, and other ailments. If you’re suffering from a toothache, you can use many of these products to help with mild pain relief. Although over-the-counter medications are not as effective as seeing a dentist right away, they can buy you some time until your dentist opens again or your emergency dental care arrives. Some helpful choices include: aspirin (1 tablet every 3–4 hours), ibuprofen (1 tablet every 4–6 hours), acetaminophen (2 tablets every 4–6 hours), and naproxen sodium (1 tablet every 6–8 hours). You can also apply topical anesthetics containing benzocaine or lidocaine.
Rinse Your Mouth With Warm Salt Water
Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can alleviate pain and minimize swelling, according to WebMD. This mixture (one part salt, eight parts water) should be used for 15-20 minutes at a time. Rinse twice a day until your toothache subsides; if it doesn’t get better after three days, contact your dentist. It’s also a good idea to drink lots of water throughout any illness or ailment you might have.
Take An Aspirin or Ibuprofen
It’s a common myth that taking an aspirin for your toothache will help it go away. In reality, aspirin and ibuprofen can cause mouth ulcers and damage teeth. Instead, try rinsing your mouth with warm salt water; it’ll provide some relief without damaging your pearly whites. If you feel like your toothache could be infected, however, seek out an emergency dentist immediately—it’s better to take preventative measures than let things get out of hand. Make sure you have dental insurance before you end up in an emergency situation!
If you’re not covered, see if there are any urgent care clinics near you or other low-cost medical options. For example, Walgreens has some locations open 24 hours and offers walk-in medical care as well as prescription services. You can also check local urgent care clinics on Yelp to see if they offer emergency dental services during off hours. If none of these options work for you, look into local pharmacies such as CVS or Walgreens—they might carry Orajel (or another brand) in their drugstore aisle. The Orajel Medicated Toothache Pain Reliever is designed specifically for temporary relief from toothaches caused by cavity pain or exposed nerves.
Gargle with salt water
Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water and gargle. Swish it around your mouth for one minute and spit it out. Salt water helps to draw out bacteria that could be making you sick, but if you’re in extreme pain, most doctors say it’s best to just go straight to an emergency dentist near me .
Get Temporary Relief by Pressing a Hot Washcloth Against Your Teeth
If you have an aching tooth, placing a hot washcloth on your face can help numb your gums and eases discomfort. This will also help with any swelling you’re experiencing. Note: Don’t burn yourself! Use water as hot as you can stand. If it’s too hot to touch comfortably with your hand, it’s too hot for your teeth and lips.
Consider Putting Cotton Between Your Teeth And The Gums To Provide Additional Relief
To help keep things from getting too painful, you may be able to get some quick relief by putting a piece of cotton between your teeth and gums. That way, your jaw doesn’t have to bear all of the pressure. Having an injury (like a broken tooth) can be scary, especially if you think it could be serious. The good news is that emergency dental care centers are always prepared for situations like these. There’s no reason to wait until morning or another time when they’re open! In fact, these dentists are often more than happy to see you if they’re closed because they don’t want anyone in pain to suffer needlessly.
