When you have pain in your mouth, it can be tempting to do anything to fix it. However, some substances that you might think of as good sources of pain relief are actually harmful when it comes to treating dental pain. Here are three things you should not use to treat oral pain while you wait to see an emergency dentist.

Aspirin

Aspirin is a pain relief medication, but it is also a blood thinner. As a result, it can cause you to bleed excessively when you receive dental treatment to address the cause of your dental pain. Instead of aspirin, you can safely use paracetamol to treat dental pain. If paracetamol is not suitable for you because of an allergy or other medical issue, ask your pharmacist for advice.

Alcohol

Many people assume that alcohol is a good treatment for dental pain, as it has a numbing effect in addition to killing bacteria. The problem with alcohol is that it also damages healthy tissue, such as the delicate tissues in the mouth. Drinking alcohol after a dental surgery can interfere with healing, so it is best to stick to water or non-carbonated soft drinks.

For a more gentle alternative to alcohol for neutralising bacteria in the mouth, try a saltwater rinse. You can easily make this kind of rinse at home by mixing ordinary table salt and room temperature water together.

Ice Cubes

Sucking on ice cubes might seem like a good way to get rid of dental pain, but in fact, the cold can cause sensitive teeth to hurt even more — similar to the pain some people get when they eat ice cream or sip on an iced drink. In addition, ice cubes can break into sharp chips, which can cut your gums or cheeks.

Instead of sucking or chewing on ice cubes, use an ice pack on the outside of your cheek. Frozen peas work well if you do not have an actual ice pack. Be sure to wrap them in a clean cloth or towel to reduce the intensity of the cold, which can cause skin damage if you leave it on your skin for too long.

In addition to taking appropriate action to reduce the pain you feel, it is also important to schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist when you have pain in your teeth or gums. The dentist can identify the reason why your teeth hurt and give you treatment to get rid of the pain for good.