Whether it's caused by an infection or fracture, a sore tooth can feel the worst. If you can't see a dentist right away, you might feel at a loss of what to do. Luckily, there are some things you can do at home to temporarily relieve the pain. Here are five helpful tips for dealing with a sore tooth:

Try a Salt Water Rinse

When your tooth hurts, you may want to rinse your mouth out with salt water. This solution will help reduce bacteria and inflammation, relieving a lot of the pain you feel. Just put a tablespoon of salt into a warm cup of water and swish the mixture in your mouth for about a minute.

Apply Clove Oil

Clove oil can be a lifesaver when your tooth is in pain. The eugenol in clove oil has antibacterial and anesthetic properties that can provide relief. Put a few drops of clove oil on a cotton ball and place it on the sore tooth. Keep it on the tooth until you feel the pain subsiding. Be careful not to swallow the clove oil, as it can be toxic.

Drink Some Tea

Another good way you can take care of a sore tooth is to drink some peppermint tea. Peppermint has numbing power, so you will feel less pain once you have this tea. Once you allow the tea to cool, gargle it around in your mouth for a minute before you spit or swallow.

Use Ice

One of the simplest ways to find relief from a toothache is to apply ice over the area. Put a few ice cubes in a plastic bag and place it over the affected tooth. The coldness of the ice will help numb the nerves and help your tooth feel a lot better.

Put Gum Over a Crack

If your toothache is due to a broken tooth or loose filling, you can try placing chewing gum on the exposed area. It should give you some relief until you can go see a dentist.

Do not let your sore tooth make you miserable. If you follow these helpful tips, you can relieve your toothache and feel much better. However, you still have to visit the dentist as soon as possible. If you wait too long, the pain can get worse. He or she will determine what is causing the pain and offer the best possible solution. For information on emergency dental services, contact a dental office like Mapletree Family Dentistry.