Home remedies for tooth decay
Home care can help while waiting for an appointment, but cavities get bigger unless bacteria are stopped or removed. See a dentist for tooth decay.
The short answer
Home care while waiting for an appointment includes painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol for adults, rinsing with salt water, eating soft foods, avoiding chewing with the sore tooth, and avoiding sweet, very hot, or very cold foods. Cavities get bigger unless bacteria are stopped or removed, so see a dentist.
What is the direct answer?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| While waiting for an appointment | Adults can take ibuprofen or paracetamol, rinse with salt water, eat soft foods, avoid chewing with the sore tooth, and avoid sweet, very hot, or very cold foods. |
| Cavities | They get bigger unless bacteria are stopped or removed. |
What does this question mean?
Cavities are also called tooth decay or dental caries. Bacteria produce acid that dissolves enamel; cavities get bigger unless the bacteria are stopped or removed.
What can you do next?
While waiting for an appointment, adults can take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, rinse with salt water, eat soft foods, avoid chewing with the sore tooth, and avoid sweet, very hot, or very cold foods.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Pain relief while waiting | Adults can take ibuprofen or paracetamol. |
| Food and rinsing | Rinse with salt water, eat soft foods, avoid chewing with the sore tooth, and avoid sweet, very hot, or very cold foods. |
When should you seek dental care?
See a dentist if toothache lasts more than 2 days, does not go away when you take painkillers, or comes with a high temperature, pain when biting, red gums, a bad taste, or a swollen cheek or jaw. Go to emergency care if swelling makes it difficult to breathe, swallow, or speak.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask a dentist what care is needed for the tooth decay and whether a filling, root canal treatment, extraction, fluoride, or another product is appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Home care can help with toothache while waiting for an appointment, but cavities grow unless bacteria are stopped or removed. A dentist may recommend fluoride or other products for small cavities, a filling for larger cavities, or root canal treatment or extraction when a cavity is near the nerve.
Frequently asked questions
Can home remedies remove tooth decay?
Cavities get bigger unless the bacteria are stopped or removed. A dentist may recommend fluoride or other products to stop small cavities, a filling for larger cavities, or root canal treatment or extraction when a cavity is near the nerve.
What can help tooth decay pain at home?
While waiting for an appointment, adults can take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, rinse with salt water, eat soft foods, avoid chewing with the sore tooth, and avoid sweet, very hot, or very cold foods.