Dental Myth #5: Putting an aspirin directly onto the tooth relieves toothache

Fact: Not true! In fact, not only is it not true it is also harmful. Just like you would’t put an aspirin on your head for a headache, you don’t put aspirin on your tooth for a toothache.

By placing the aspirin directly onto the tooth you can burn the gum tissue, causing a hole in the tissue. This is because aspirin is acidic. The acid is almost as strong as the stomach acid. This can create a whole different kind of dental emergency from the original problem.

The best way to use aspirin to treat a toothache is to swallow it, as per the instructions on the packaging. When you take aspirin this way it gets absorbed into your body through you digestive system. It then entered you bloodstream and travels throughout your body. It stops the production of prostaglandins, which are molecules which send pain messages between the injured part of your body and your brain. When the aspirin reaches the sore tooth it inhibits the prostaglanin production, reducing the pain that you feel.

While it is important to stop the pain you are feeling, it is important to address the cause. Pain medication does not fix the problem, it just stops the pain. If you are experiencing tooth ache, make an appointment with Dr Jowitt, Dr Muir or Dr Varela. We will be able to get to the root of the problem (pun intended!).

You can now book appointments with us on line. So you can make that appointment in the middle of the night, ready for the next morning!