If you are experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity, you may have an infected tooth. A tooth infection, also referred to as an abscess, is a pocket of pus trapped within your tooth. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the tooth roots and may require emergency dentistry, such as a root canal or tooth extraction.
In these situations, many seek out home remedies to help deal with infection before scheduling a dental appointment. The internet is flush with dubious DIY dental remedies for everything from homemade toothpaste to toothache cures and infection treatments. Tea bags are frequently mentioned as a way to treat an abscess at home, but can a tea bag really draw out an infection in your tooth?
Can I Use a Tea Bag to Treat a Tooth Infection?
The short answer is no; do not rely on a tea bag to cure your infection. In fact, we do not encourage anyone to try to cure a tooth infection at home. We understand that you have a few at-home options for relieving pain, but home remedies (i.e. tea bags) will not get to the source of your issue and will not cure your abscess.
It is best to think of a home remedy as a stop-gap measure. It may help in the short-term, but no home remedy can replace a visit with a dentist. A dentist will identify and can treat the source of the infection to relieve your teeth or gums from trauma.
If your abscess is causing severe pain and you have to wait a bit before your dentist appointment, try rinsing your mouth several times with a warm salt-water solution. We recommend using over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen together to manage discomfort.
Signs of Tooth Infection
A tooth infection usually starts with a severe, throbbing, sharp toothache that does not go away. Other symptoms include:
- Presence of a sore with pus
- Gum redness and swelling
- Foul-smelling breath
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Fever
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact The Smile Centre right away. Our knowledgeable team of experienced dentists will determine the source of your problem and provide you with effective treatment. The sooner you schedule your appointment, the sooner you will feel better and your mouth can heal.
Contact The Smile Centre Today
If you are suffering from tooth pain or experiencing other signs of a tooth infection, contact The Smile Centre today to schedule an appointment in Sarasota or Venice. Call Palm Aire at 941-351-4468. We make every effort to schedule treatment for you as soon as possible. Your health is our top priority, and we want to help get you out of pain quickly and safely.