February 16, 2022
Teeth infection is a common problem and can be very painful. It is important to seek medical help as soon as possible if you think you have a tooth infection. In the meantime, here are some top tips on how to deal with teeth infection.
First Aid
Your first aid kit should contain a bottle of painkillers, fever-reducing medication, and flu medicine. Pack them together in one place for convenience. Also, pack some paracetamol or ibuprofen such as Nurofen, Orudis, or Brufen that you can buy over the counter from your local chemist. It also needs to contain proper wound care if you have bleeding gums around the infected tooth. If you've been prescribed antibiotics by your dentist or doctor, take these too. Try to avoid taking aspirin because it makes bleeding more likely when brushing your teeth. Finally, don't forget to add items such as a clean hand towel and non-fluffy flannels to the list!
Hygiene
Reduce the spread of germs in your home by washing your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet and before eating or drinking or preparing food. Don't forget to pop your toothbrush in the bin after you use it and make sure everyone in the house does this too! Cover any cuts with plaster until they heal because these are another entry point for infection. Also, you could try using an antibacterial mouthwash to kill germs after brushing your teeth.
Prevention
Good oral hygiene is the best prevention against getting a tooth infection. Regularly clean your teeth and gums with a soft bristle brush and floss at least once a day. Don't use hard-bristle brushes because they can cause gum recession by being too abrasive. Also, try to have regular dental check-ups at least every six months. This means that any potential problems will be picked up early enough for professional treatment if necessary! If you have diabetes or poor immunity it is important to get your teeth checked even more frequently than this so they don't go unnoticed for too long.
Tips for Cleaning Your Teeth
Tooth decay caused by plaque leaves bacteria behind on your teeth after brushing, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. These bacteria also break down sugar in food and drink which causes tooth decay. To avoid this, make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes. Try to use fluoride toothpaste because it can reduce plaque build-up by up to 40% compared with non-fluoride toothpaste. Flossing daily reduces the number of plaque bacteria on your teeth by up to 52%. This also helps prevent gum disease that has been linked with heart disease, stroke, respiratory infections, diabetes, certain cancers, and pregnancy complications!
Diet
Make sure you eat healthily and avoid fizzy drinks, highly-sugared foods, and chocolate. These cause tooth decay that can lead to tooth infection so it's best to avoid them if possible. Go for healthier snacks such as fresh fruit instead. Also, cut back on salt because it can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease. Finally, drink water instead of fizzy drinks to stay hydrated and reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Painkillers
Take painkillers regularly when you have a tooth infection but don't just rely on them without consulting your dentist first. Taking painkillers more than three days before seeing your dentist can reduce their effectiveness so it is important to get the infection treated properly. Some of the best painkillers for infected teeth include ibuprofen, aspirin, and paracetamol. Ibuprofen can reduce pain in infected teeth by 56% compared with 22% for aspirin and 24% for paracetamol according to several studies.
So, your best option is ibuprofen if you can't get to a dentist soon. You should start to feel better within a week of starting treatment, however, if you have any other symptoms such as a high temperature or feeling sick, go straight to your dentist. If the painkillers don't work it might be worth trying some over-the-counter gels because these are stronger and could help. Don't forget that there are plenty of practices offering emergency appointments for toothache – you can book an appointment online 24/7.
If you have a teeth infection, it's important to try to reduce swelling around your jawline so that it doesn't spread further into surrounding glands and tissues. If the pain is really bad then take ibuprofen or paracetamol regularly but never take aspirin because this makes bleeding worse. The key thing to remember if you have a teeth infection is that prompt attention from your dentist can help prevent any more serious complications and ensure that treatment begins as soon as possible!