Should I Use Hot or Cold Compress for Abscess Tooth?

Overview

A lot of people hate paying a visit to dentists for oral treatments and get rid tooth abscess without going to dentist. We get it, oral surgeries are painful, and there’s very little pain manager for the after-treatment pain. You may need to go through a root canal or filling if you’re facing tooth decay.

But, there’s another painful dental issue that people often face. We’re talking about tooth abscess that’s basically a bacterial infection. It’s a known remedy to get rid of the pain through compressing the infected area. So, we’re going to discuss should you use hot or cold compress for abscess tooth.

Is Cold Compress Good for Tooth Abscess?

Absolutely! Cold compress is an excellent remedy for abscessed tooth. It’s one of the best treatment options to get temporary relief till you seek medical advice from a dentist.

Cold compress has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the swelling and help the blood vessels repair themselves sooner. You can use cold compress 2-3 times per day to get the best results.

Does Hot Compress Help Tooth Abscess?

It’s never recommended to apply warm compress in tooth abscess. A lot of people think that hot compress can be used as a natural toothache remedy. But the truth is, there’s a high chance that you’re just going to increase the tooth swells with heat.

However, using a moist and warm compress can work as a natural remedy for healing wounds after you use cold compress. It’ll also help the abscess drain faster.

How to Use Hot or Cold Compress for Abscess Tooth?

To make cold compress at home, these are the materials you need:

Water
Ice cubes
Some plastic bags
A towel
A washcloth

Now, let’s walk you through the affordable option of cold compressing your abscessed tooth.

1. Take a plastic bag and put some ice cubes in it. If you ran out of ice cubes, you can also use frozen food or vegetable. But, make sure the food or vegetable is small in size so that you can stick it to your tooth.

Alternatively, you can create cold compress with a towel as well.

Take a towel and dip it in a cup of water. Make sure that the water is cold enough.
Put the towel in a plastic bag.
Keep the bag in freezer for 18-20 minutes to freeze.

Using the towel option might be more feasible to create cold compress as you can use it more comfortably than food in a plastic bag.

2. Dip a washcloth in a glass of water. Wrap the cloth around the bag where the ice cubes are. If the cloth isn’t cold enough, take it through an ice bath.

3. Put the compress on the affected area and keep it there for 15-20 minutes.

4. Wipe out the area using a dry towel after you remove the compress. Dabbing the area with a cotton ball is also a viable option. If there’s swelling, keep the compress for at least 2 hours. You have to reapply the compress till the swelling disappears.

To use a hot compress, make a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution and use it as a mouthwash. The solution will work quickly to heal your infected area as it contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

You can also use a washcloth instead of the cotton ball. And you can use warm salt water instead of hydrogen peroxide with water solution. Mix 2 teaspoon of normal table salt with 2 cups of warm water to make the saline solution. Rinse your teeth with it 3-4 times per day.

What Can I Do Other Than Using Hot or Cold Compress for Abscess Tooth?

If you want to try out something else other than hot or cold treatment for dental abscesses, there are some feasible solutions for you.

1. Using Essential Oil

Essential oils have a lot of benefits. But, for dental abscess, you have to use Oregano Essential Oil. It contains antibacterial properties and antioxidants that’ll help with the swelling.

To follow this remedy, you have to take an ounce of carrier oil and add some essential oil into it. Now, dab on to the painful tooth with a cotton ball and leave the solution there for 8-10 minutes. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times per day for better results against dental abscess.

2. Using Fenugreek Tea

If you look at ancient history, you’ll see that people have been using Fenugreek Tea from ancient times as home remedy. It’s a bacteria killer that also has antioxidants and works as an affordable option against dental abscess.

Now, to follow this procedure, take a cup of water and warm it up on a pot. Mix 1 teaspoon of ground Fenugreek Tea into it and prepare the solution.

Using a cotton ball, dab on to the infected tooth and leave it there for a couple of minutes. Repeat the procedure for 3-4 times per day.

3. Using Clove Essential Oil

Oil of cloves another useful element that comes with antibacterial properties and antifungal properties. It also has a long history of being used as compress. It’s made with concentrated clove that can be used as useful mouth ailments.

Mix a few drops of the oil with an ounce of carrier oil and follow the usual procedure of dabbing it on to the infected tooth.

Preparing clove oil mouthwash is also an excellent procedure that you can try out. Just put some drops of the oil into a glass of plain water, and use it as mouth wash. You can try this solution as an effective remedy to stop the growth of bacteria and maintain your oral health.

4. Using Thyme Oil

Thyme Essential Oil or diluted Thyme oil is another essential oil form that helps against painful tooth due to dental abscess.

You can prepare mouthwash with the diluted thyme oil or just dab on to the diseased tooth with a cotton swab. Repeat the process 2-3 times per day for best results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does a painful tooth due to tooth abscess create bad breath?

Yes, it can generate quite an amount of bad breath along with dental pain. As the affected area becomes a breeding place for bacteria, there’ll be an infection that even may release smelly liquids.

2. What toothpaste should I use for better dental health?

You should choose your toothpaste by consulting with your dentist based on your oral health. However, using fluoride toothpaste is always an useful solutions to take care of your teeth. Also, use a soft tooth brush if you have teeth issues.

3. Can I use saline water to get rid of abscess pain?

Saline solution can provide you temporary pain relief from swelled tooth. It’s one of the simple remedies that you can follow to take care of your teeth as well.

However, if you’re facing severe pain, it’s always best to seek medical advice.

4. Should I eat soft food if I have abscessed tooth?

Yes, you should only consume soft food items like bread, mashed potato or just soup. Cold foods like ice cream would also help with the pain.

Conclusion

If you have dental abscess symptoms, you should immediately run to a dentist to take treatment. Using hot or cold compress for abscess tooth can be followed as a temporary remedy only. Also, don’t take any pain medicine without consulting with a doctor. Keep in mind that poor tooth care can lead to more severe issues other than abscessed teeth.