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Depending on the extent of the inflammation, treatment can range from antibiotics to a root canal. If the dental pulp is severely damaged, your dentist may recommend a root canal – a procedure to remove any infected tissue and shape the inner part of your tooth for filling material. Your dentist will first use a local anesthetic to numb your mouth before starting this process. This procedure typically involves drilling into your tooth, removing any damaged or decayed tissue, and then using filling material to permanently close off the space left behind. Depending on how much damage there is in the pulp chamber of your tooth, you may need more than one visit with your dentist. After the completion of a root canal procedure, your dentist may suggest that you get a crown placed over the affected area for extra protection. This will help prevent further damage to your tooth and keep it healthy for the long term. In some cases, a root canal procedure may not be necessary and antibiotics may be used to reduce inflammation and treat the infection. Your dentist will assess the severity of the inflammation before recommending any treatment. It is important that you see your dentist regularly to identify and treat any swelling or inflammation of your teeth early on. This helps to ensure that they remain healthy throughout your life.
What is tooth root inflammation?
Inflammation of the tooth and tooth root is usually caused by untreated tooth decay.
When the bacteria are only on the outer layer of the tooth, you usually don’t feel pain.
The progression of tooth decay – when the bacteria reach the root of the tooth (center) it becomes painful .
However, when tooth decay reaches the inside of the tooth and affects nerves & blood vessels, it is accompanied by very severe toothache.
Reading Tip:If you want to learn more about the topic, then it’s best to check out this comprehensive guide to all things tooth root inflammation.
How does dental root inflammation make itself felt?
The affected person usually complains of a strong, throbbing pain. The tooth is sensitive to pressure, cold, and heat.
The cheeks may swell and pus may form in the gums. The pain may develop into a constant ache.
When you have a tooth root infection, you should therefore always consult a dentist. Even this guide does not replace medical advice.
- However, it may happen that a dentist is difficult to reach, such as at night, on a weekend or when you are on vacation.
- Or perhaps you have already had a root canal treatment & want to cool the swelling after surgery as gently as possible and prevent further pain.
Then you have a few options to naturally manage the toothache and reduce the swelling.
In the following sections, I present some ways to relieve the pain of tooth root inflammation until your next visit to the doctor.
Cool tooth root inflammation with cooling batteries
To relieve the swelling and pain, you can use cooling batteries
It’s worth having these cooling helpers around the house just in case – even if you’re not currently in pain.
The cooling effect numbs the tooth’s irritated nerves when the cooling pad is pressed against the cheek, which is directly over the tooth.
The cooling is especially beneficial when the pain is accompanied by swelling of the gums.
The cold causes the blood vessels to contract, the pain to subside, and the swollen area of skin to recede.
Tips for use
- Wrap the cooling pad in a thin cloth to avoid skin irritation. It is advantageous if you have several cooling accumulators at hand.
- If you should not have cooling elements or ice cubes at home, you can also wrap frozen food from the freezer in a cloth.
Important: The application should not last longer than 15 minutes, and you should stop cooling for some time afterward to avoid tissue damage.
More tips around cooling a tooth root infection
Normally, the swelling will go down after some time and the pain will subside. However, if the pain persists, you should always see a doctor.
You should also avoid warm temperatures if you have a bacterial infection.
Bacteria love heat, so you should stay out of the sun. This can make the pain worse and is also not helpful against swelling.
In addition to cooling the affected area, you can also resort to other home remedies
- Just a reminder, these remedies are not a substitute for professional treatment at the dentist’s office
- So be careful when texts on the Internet advertise supposed miracle cures.
As a natural supplement and to alleviate (mild) symptoms, however, these foglende measures are suitable from & to:
Cloves
Bite a clove and place it near the aching tooth. The eugenol it contains comes out and has a strong numbing, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effect.
Alternatively, you can apply high doses of clove oil (1-2 drops) with a cotton swab.
Another variation is brushing your teeth with coconut oil, which helps fight bacteria.
Propolis
Propolis is an effective antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal agent.
It is especially effective for oral health. Because of its anti-inflammatory effect, they can also use it to treat the symptoms of small wounds and irritated root canals.
It is also commonly found in mouthwashes and toothpastes for this reason.
Use the pipette to apply 1 to 3 drops of propolis to the painful area and repeat every hour.
Salt Water Rinse
You can make a natural antiseptic mouthwash by drinking hot water and using salt dissolved in it.
Rinse your mouth with the salt water solution for about 30 seconds and then spit it out.
This will help loosen debris that caused the root to become infected and prevent further infection.
The salt can attack the microbes that are responsible for the inflammation. You can repeat this treatment several times and it has no side effect.
Read more here: Gargling Salt Water.
Garlic
Another effective home remedy for toothache in general is garlic.
Due to its antibiotic properties, it can help with even severe toothaches.
Mash a clove of garlic and place it near the aching tooth. Relief will begin to appear in as little as 1-2 minutes.
Prevent with proper dental care
To prevent it from getting that far in the first place, you should take precautions against rotten teeth as early as possible.
In my opinion, an electric toothbrush or ultrasonic toothbrush represents the best investment in healthy teeth (especially if, like me, you tend to use a faulty technique when brushing by hand)
- Recommended toothbrushes from Oral-B include the Oral-B Genius, the Oral-B Pro 6500 for couples, or the Oral-B Pro 3000. Less expensive are the Oral-B Professional Care 700, Oral-B Pro 600, or the Braun Oral-B Pulsonic Slim.
- Recommendable sonic toothbrushes are available, for example, with the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean, the Philips Sonicare Flexcare Platinum or the Oral-B Pulsonic Slim Luxe.
If you have mastered the correct technique, according to dentists, a normal toothbrush is also sufficient (more info: manual toothbrush vs electric toothbrush).
But if you already suffer from existing conditions or have dental fillings, then it is worth buying one.
Concluding & a final tip
I hope to have helped you with this brief guide – feel free to read the more extensive text around the causes, treatment & aftercare of a tooth root inflammation.
And if you are still hesitant about making an appointment with an expert (possibly due to fear of the dentist), let me remind you again of the consequences of untreated swelling:
If bacteria are causing the infection/swelling, you should see an expert as soon as possible (because there is a high risk that the inflammation in the thick cheek will spread to other areas of the head, such as the jaw).
With your immune system pumping more and more blood to the affected area, the bacteria can also spread throughout the body and affect other organs.
Most of all, people with a weakened immune system should not let too much time pass to have the tooth root infection treated professionally by a dentist.
Diet and lifestyle changes to help with an inflamed tooth nerve
Dealing with an inflamed tooth nerve can be quite challenging, as the pain can be quite severe, and it can take a while to get it treated. However, one thing that can help is to make changes to your diet and lifestyle. The right foods can help reduce inflammation and promote healing, while certain lifestyle habits can help ease pain and discomfort.
One food that can be particularly helpful is ginger. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling, redness, and pain associated with an inflamed tooth nerve. You can try incorporating fresh ginger into your cooking, or you can make a ginger tea by grating fresh ginger and steeping it in hot water. Another food that can be beneficial is turmeric, which also has anti-inflammatory properties. You can use turmeric in your cooking or try taking a supplement.
In addition to dietary changes, there are also lifestyle changes that you can make to help ease the pain of an inflamed tooth nerve. One of the most important things is to practice good oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing regularly can help prevent further damage to the teeth and gums, and can also help reduce inflammation. You can also try using an oral rinse that contains tea tree oil, which has antibacterial properties that can help fight infection and reduce inflammation.
Another important lifestyle change is to reduce stress. Stress can cause the body to release hormones that can increase inflammation, so finding ways to manage stress can help ease the pain associated with an inflamed tooth nerve. Some effective stress-reducing techniques include meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, or taking a warm bath.
Ultimately, making these diet and lifestyle changes can help reduce inflammation, promote healing, and ease the pain and discomfort of an inflamed tooth nerve. While it can take some time to see results, incorporating these changes into your daily routine can make a big difference in your overall health and well-being.
