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Toothaches are absolutely no fun. Sometimes they can be so severe that the whole of your jaw aches. It hurts to talk, eat, or even open and close your mouth. While some over-the-counter gels can provide temporary relief, they are certainly no substitute for a cure. A severe toothache is generally a sign that something is amiss, but with a busy schedule, it can be difficult for anyone to rush to the dentist. So how can you handle this situation without going crazy from the pain? Well, it's not easy to get through unscathed, but it can be done. Let me offer some advice. Ibuprofen is a typical anti-inflammatory that you should keep in your home. Taking four 200 milligram pills will amount to one prescription strength pill, but do NOT take more than four at one time, and do not take this dose more frequently than every four hours, as ibuprofen is very hard for the body to break down and too much can damage your liver and/or kidneys. Anti-inflammatory drugs are meant to reduce pain and swelling from an infection anywhere within the body. If you are allergic to ibuprofen or are intolerant for some other reason, call your doctor's office to find out the next best alternative. Try both cold and hot therapies. An ice pack is generally your best bet for reducing swelling, but lying your face down on a heating pad may reduce tension and swelling as well. Find out what works best for you--but NEVER fall asleep on a heating pad! You risk severe burns by so doing. An at-home remedy that I have often heard of involves soaking a cotton ball in clove oil and then applying it to the affected tooth. I do not know from experience whether or not this works, but I know many people that swear by it, so it is certainly worth a try. During your morning and evening routine, be sure to carefully brush the tooth and floss around it. Though this may cause you more pain, the last thing you want is for food particles and plaque to worsen the condition causing the toothache, which is probably a cavity or infection. If the toothache becomes so bad that you cannot function, it's time to make an emergency appointment. It may seem stressful to take time off work to handle this, but you will be so much better off having the problem completely resolved than letting it continue to fester. If you have severe tooth pain in the windy city, visit a Chicago dentist sooner than later.
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