Relieve Root Canal Pain: Home Remedies You Can Try Today!

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4 HOME REMEDIES FOR RELIEF FROM ROOT CANAL PAIN

USE AN ICE PACK

Ice has long been recognized for its ability to calm inflamed nerves and to soothe pain, and to provide relief from root canal pain. Applying an ice pack is easy. Simply add ice to a plastic bag and wrap the bag in a light cloth. You can add water to the bag to increase the amount of cold and to ensure that the cooling effects are uniform. It is important to wrap the ice pack as the application of cold for too long can cause frostbite. The rule of thumb for using ice as a therapy is to never leave the ice pack in place for more than 20 minutes. Ice has a radiating effect that penetrates to the bone level and helps to quiet inflamed nerves. Nerves are what translate pain so by quieting those nerves the pain can subside. Because ice is a radiating therapy, it can work well to help to soothe pain following dental work. If you do not have ice you can use nearly any object that is frozen. A bag of frozen peas works much the same as ice cubes and a bag of frozen peas easily conforms to the angular shape of your jaw. Follow the same rule as you would for using ice and wrap the frozen bag before applying it to the affected area. Refreeze frozen food after each use, and then discard when the therapy is complete.

SALT WATER RINSE

Salt is a natural treatment for bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. After oral surgery, such as a root canal, you can gently rinse the area using warm salt water. The recipe for creating this tonic is 1/2 teaspoon of salt to one cup of warm water. Stir the water and salt until the salt is fully dissolved. Then gently swish the concoction in your mouth for a few minutes and then spit out the water. This is a treatment that helps to reduce sore muscles and helps prevent infections. The warmth also helps to calm active nerves and reduce pain. You can use this method in conjunction with an ice pack to provide heat/cold therapy too.

TEA TREE OIL

Tea Tree Oil has a lot of medicinal uses. Tea tree oil comes from the plant Melaleuca alternifolia and is often sold under the name of Melaleuca. It has a long history of helping to cure oral infections such as those caused by yeasts. To use tea tree oil for the reduction of pain following a root canal, add two-three drops of tea tree oil to one cup of warm water. Swish the solution around in your mouth for a minute and then discard the solution, but do not drink it. Tea tree oil can also be gently massaged into the gum area around the root canal. The oil is drawn into the tissue and helps to relieve pain by quieting overactive nerves around the procedure site. To apply tea tree oil directly, start with a single drop on the end of your finger and gently massage around the area where the pain is located. Be careful not to disturb any stitches that are present.

OVER THE COUNTER MEDICINE (OTC) FOR ORAL PAIN CONTROL

There are many OTC medicines that help to relieve oral pain. Tylenol and Ibuprofen are two common products that are designed to relieve pain. There are dental specific products such as Anbesol and Orajel that are applied topically and numb the area for a short period of time. Over-the-counter pain control can be an effective way to control pain, but they do not specifically help to prevent infections. If you have medication allergies or are not allowed to take oral OTC pain medication, then some of the home remedies might work better for you. Nobody likes to suffer from pain associated with dental procedures and especially not the pain that can follow root canal therapy. This list of home remedies provides relief from root canal pain. The management of oral pain represents a variety of alternative ways to manage pain without the use of prescription narcotics. These methods are also available when you cannot gain access to a pharmacy or between visits to your dentist. One method is not better than the other and many people will find that a combination of methods works well for them with adding cost to their treatment and still manage to provide relief from root canal pain. Contact Us today for questions if you’re experiencing pain.