Caring For An Abscessed Tooth

If you have an abscessed tooth, getting proper dental treatment, like a root canal, is very important. This is due to the fact that the infection can spread throughout the rest of your body, making you very ill. You'll need to take antibiotics the dentist will prescribe you to fight off that infection. You will be in pain while you are fighting off that infection, and this article will provide you with tips on staying as comfortable as possible until the infection is gone.

Find a comfortable position to sleep

When your tooth hurts, you can find a position that may make it hurt a little less. This will be especially important when it comes to falling asleep. Try sleeping on the softest pillow possible, feather pillows can be the best for this. Try using your fist to create a pocket in the pillow where your jaw will fit without too much pressure. Also, try putting the pillow in the freezer for a few moments, so you can get some extra relief from the coolness.

Bringing down the inflammation

An abscessed tooth will also come with inflammation. For this reason, it's a good idea to take anti-inflammatories. Make sure you take them on a full stomach, so you don't get a stomach ache from them. Also, hold an ice pack gently against the outside of your cheek to help with some of that inflammation. If you can handle it, softly biting on an ice cube will help with the inflammation inside your mouth and in most cases, it can also help to numb the area and make it feel much better.

Getting relief from the aching tooth

Your dentist may prescribe you something to help with the pain. Make sure you take this medicine as directed, rather than waiting for the pain to come back before taking your next dose. This way, you can hopefully prevent that pain proactively.

You can also use home remedies to get extra relief from the pain. One of these methods that can be very helpful is clove oil. Soak a piece of gauze in some of the oil and place it on the tooth. Also, a piece of a garlic clove placed next to the tooth can help.

Keep your mouth as clean as possible while you are fighting an abscessed tooth and try not to eat foods that require a lot of chewing. Staying hydrated by drinking enough water will also help.