Pain due to pulpitis: how to relieve pain before visiting the dentist?


What are the benefits of soda-salt solution for mouth rinsing?

The product is widely used for rinsing during the treatment of diseases of the teeth and gums: caries, gingivitis, periodontitis and periodontal disease. The solution helps out in cases where acute symptoms arise suddenly and you need to alleviate the condition before visiting the dentist. The soda-salt composition perfectly relieves inflammation and redness of the mucous membrane, disinfects, has a calming effect and helps to slightly reduce pain.

Sodium bicarbonate or simply soda is a product that is used to clean dirty surfaces, for example, in the kitchen. But a solution with its addition also helps in the treatment of many dental diseases. In combination with salt and sometimes with iodine, soda gives a pronounced antibacterial effect, strengthens hard and soft tissues, and prevents the further spread of the pathological process. Thus, the effect of the composition can be formulated in several main theses:

  • has an antibacterial effect,
  • helps stop the pathological process and prevents further destruction of the enamel,
  • stops inflammatory processes in the mucous membrane,
  • helps to significantly reduce pain and alleviate the condition,
  • removes bacterial plaque and tartar.


Soda-saline solution helps in the treatment of many dental diseases.
Soda-saline solution is not suitable for daily use. It is recommended in cases where there are clear signs of pathological processes in the oral cavity. The composition can be used for emergency relief of acute symptoms, and as a maintenance agent - only after agreement with the attending physician.

Recipes for other mouth rinses

Any adult can prepare a solution of soda and salt for rinsing the mouth for tooth pain, since the necessary ingredients are available in almost every kitchen. But you need to keep in mind that to rinse your mouth for toothache, you can only use a fresh mixture of soda and water . You should not dilute large amounts of soda for future use.

Traditional medicine offers a huge number of recipes for solutions for rinsing the mouth, which include table or sea salt, iodine, hydrogen peroxide, and infusions of medicinal herbs.

If your tooth hurts

To eliminate toothache, you can use salt, soda and iodine. If a tooth hurts badly, it is useful to rinse it with diluted soda with the addition of these ingredients to enhance the healing effect. To properly make and use a healing home remedy, use these simple recommendations:


  • Before rinsing your mouth, you must thoroughly clean your teeth to remove dirt and food debris.

  • When preparing a liquid from salt, soda and iodine for rinsing a diseased tooth, the following proportions must be observed: 1 tsp. bulk substances, 2–3 drops of iodine component, 1 glass of moderately warm water.
  • There is no need to use too cold or hot water to prepare the medicine, as it can aggravate the patient’s condition. Cold liquid can make your tooth ache even more, and boiling water can seriously injure your gums.
  • You should especially carefully rinse your mouth with diluted soda with salt and iodine in the area where toothache is felt.
  • In the process of rinsing a diseased tooth, portions of the soda-saline solution should be changed every 0.5 minutes, the total duration of the procedure is at least 4–5 minutes.
  • The medicine should not be taken orally; after rinsing, the liquid should be spat out.
  • There is no need to rinse your mouth with salt or iodine liquid after use.
  • When preparing a product from salt, soda and iodine to relieve tooth pain in a child over 5 years old, different proportions should be used: 0.5 tsp per standard glass of water. salt and soda and one drop of iodine. It is important to explain to your baby what will happen if you take this product orally, and why the rinse solution must be spat out.
  • The medicinal liquid must be diluted and used at least three times a day - after each meal. Reducing the interval will not help increase the effect.

Frequent use of aggressive rinsing solutions can cause harm in the form of drying out the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, increasing the sensitivity of the enamel and other negative consequences.

If your gums are inflamed

Soda solutions are useful for inflammation of the soft tissues of the oral cavity. The fact is that such folk remedies have an enhanced antibacterial effect, help prevent the development of infection, and reduce pain. For the same reason, this drug is used to treat the throat for sore throat, ARVI and other colds and infectious diseases.

To prepare a high-quality oral rinse, you need to properly dilute the ingredients. The proportions will be the same as when making a medicinal mixture to relieve tooth pain: 1 tsp. soda per 200 ml of warm water. The finished product will help reduce the activity of inflammation and also make the teeth a little whiter.

To increase the effectiveness of the soda remedy, you can use it not to rinse sore gums, but as a bath. And add 2-3 drops of iodine to it. To enhance the disinfecting effect, you can use not water, but a warm sage decoction.

Indications for use

It is better to use the composition for rinsing on the recommendation of a specialist - the treating dentist. The main indications for use are listed below:

  1. heavy plaque, supra- and subgingival deposits, unpleasant odor: the composition effectively fights bacteria in the oral cavity, dissolves hardening deposits and prevents the growth of pathogenic microflora. In addition, the active ingredients have a beneficial effect on the enamel and help strengthen it, and by cleaning surfaces from bacteria and their metabolic products, breath is freshened,
  2. severe toothache: it is not possible to cure the problem with just rinsing, but it is quite possible to significantly reduce the intensity of acute symptoms. The product will help normalize the condition so you can safely get to the doctor,
  3. after tooth extraction: preventive rinsing with a soda-salt solution will help fight bacteria, prevent wound infection, help stop bleeding and stimulate healing processes. You just need to rinse carefully so as not to damage the blood clot in the hole,
  4. diseases of the teeth and gums: rinsing with salt and soda is recommended, among other things, as maintenance therapy during the treatment of caries, gingivitis, periodontitis and periodontal disease, periodontitis and periostitis with purulent processes - according to indications and only in concentrations recommended by a specialist.


Rinsing helps in the treatment of inflammation of the gums and dental plaque.
If there are microtraumas or cuts in the mouth, which may appear, for example, due to braces or incorrectly installed fillings, crowns and dentures, then such a solution will help to effectively disinfect tissues, and its regular use will help their rapid healing.

Why does a tooth hurt under a denture?

A crown is a prosthetic structure in the form of a cap that covers a previously prepared tooth. The cause of tooth pain under the crown in many cases is associated with poor preparation of the unit for prosthetics. Most often, this is a mistake when filling dental canals after pulp removal. The source of pain can be:

  • Untreated caries
    - the doctor did not remove all the affected tissue, which led to a relapse of the carious process under the crown.
  • Defects during
    canal filling - when filling the canal with composite material, voids are formed, which are quickly populated by pathogenic microflora, which causes inflammation and pain.
  • Perforation of the canal wall
    - when the canal walls are damaged, the filling material begins to extend beyond its boundaries, irritating the periodontium; a complication of the current inflammation can be the formation of granulomas and cysts.
  • Instrument fragment in the canal
    - treatment is carried out with thin instruments, which may break during treatment. If the root is severely curved and difficult to pass, it is often impossible to remove the fragment. It promotes the development of inflammation, even if the canal is sealed hermetically.
  • Poor quality prosthetics
    – the crown does not fit well to the supporting tooth or puts pressure on the gum, causing inflammation. In this case, the teeth under the crown hurt when pressing or biting.
  • Pulp burn
    - occurs if, during the preparation of dental tissues, the doctor allowed overheating of the dentin and the neurovascular bundle hidden under it. The pulp becomes inflamed, reacts painfully to temperature stimuli, and acute pain periodically occurs, turning into aching pain.

If a tooth without a nerve hurts under the crown, this is a sign of periodontal pathology or poor-quality installation of the prosthesis. When a crown is placed on a living tooth that has not undergone depulpation, the painful syndrome, as a rule, indicates pulpitis.

When is it better to avoid rinsing - contraindications

If the recommended dosages are observed, the medicinal solution is completely harmless and safe. But in some pathological conditions and individual intolerance to its components, the use of the product is strictly contraindicated.

So, it is better not to add soda to the composition if a small child is going to rinse the mouth. Under the age of 3-4 years, a child can easily accidentally swallow the concentrated composition, and this is fraught with stomach problems. It is better to soak a cotton swab or a small piece of gauze in the solution, and then apply it to the sore spot for just a few minutes.


Do not use the rinse solution for children under 3-4 years of age.

You should not rinse your mouth with salt and soda if you have a traumatic brain injury, brain disease, or a predisposition to a stroke. In case of thyroid dysfunction, tuberculosis and nephritis, iodine1 should not be added to the main composition. The same applies to women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Do not rinse too often if they provoke attacks of nausea.

How to prepare a universal soda-salt solution

To prepare the medicinal composition, you need to take a glass of boiled warm water - approximately 27-30 °C, and dilute a teaspoon of soda and salt in it. It is important to stir the bulk ingredients until completely dissolved. After this, you need to rinse your mouth thoroughly for 1-2 minutes, paying special attention to the sore area. By the way, the ingredients are good on their own. So, to relieve acute pain and symptoms of inflammation, you can rinse your mouth with only salt or only soda. In some cases, it is possible to add a few drops of iodine to enhance the effect.

How to rinse correctly?

To achieve the desired result, not only proportions are important, but also knowledge of the rules for proper rinsing with a solution:

  1. Carry out procedures after brushing your teeth.
  2. After using the solution, do not rinse your mouth with plain water (for 10 minutes) and do not eat food (30 minutes).
  3. For severe diseases of the oral cavity, rinse every hour with a fresh solution.
  4. In case of increased bacterial growth, it is mandatory to carry out procedures before bedtime.
  5. Do not swallow used liquid.
  6. In terms of time, rinsing should take from 2 to 5 minutes each time.
  7. Use the solution only when warm. Hot water can cause burns, and cold water can cause sensitivity, damaging the enamel.

Simple rules that are not difficult to follow. The duration of such procedures until complete recovery takes from 5 to 10 days. After obtaining the desired result, you should still contact your dentist if this has not been done before.

How to use the product correctly

Before rinsing, be sure to brush your teeth. The temperature of the liquid should not exceed 30 °C - ideally it should be slightly warmer than room temperature. Too high a temperature can cause a burn, and cold can increase the pain. You need to use only freshly prepared solution, otherwise it will lose some of its properties. The product should not be swallowed; it must be spat out at the end of the procedure.

“I take out salt and soda only in extreme cases, when someone in the family has an acute inflammation, for example, gumboil. But you can’t use them every day, that’s for sure! A regular pharmaceutical product like Listerine or Colgate is sufficient for daily use. I deliberately take a little less liquid, because if you do it according to the instructions, sometimes it makes your teeth cramp. And a bottle is enough for our family for 2 weeks..."

Ulyasha, from correspondence on the woman.ru forum

If the pain is too severe, it is better to extend the procedure to 5 minutes. In this case, the liquid will have to be renewed every half a minute. It is important to understand that rinsing will help dull severe symptoms, but not cure the disease. Immediately after the condition returns to normal, you should urgently go to the doctor.


Rinsing will help dull severe symptoms, but will not cure the disease.

Rinse your mouth with saline solution

Salt has a pronounced antiseptic effect. It accelerates the healing of wounds and small cuts on the mucous membrane, and also prevents the growth of pathogenic microflora. In combination with soda, it effectively reduces inflammation, reduces the intensity of purulent processes, and helps to slightly reduce pain. The product is recommended for use on gums, mainly in cases of acute inflammatory processes accompanied by the release of pus - periodontitis, periostitis, etc.

The effectiveness of soda solution

Baking soda also relieves inflammation, but also has an antifungal effect. Due to its abrasive properties, the powder perfectly cleanses the enamel of bacterial plaque and other contaminants, helping to restore its natural shine and whiteness. In addition, soda disinfects tissues, reduces swelling and soreness. It is only important to follow the recommended proportions, otherwise you can easily burn the mucous membrane.

Remedy with soda and salt against pain and inflammation

With the development of dental diseases of an infectious nature, accompanied by acute symptoms, a mixture of soda and salt, diluted in boiled water in equal proportions, helps well. The product relieves toothache and prevents the further spread of the pathological process. The composition can be used as an emergency aid or as part of maintenance therapy after consultation with a specialist.

Soda-salt composition with added iodine

If you add a few drops of iodine to salt and soda, you can significantly enhance the effect of the drug. Iodine actively fights pathogenic microflora and prevents the proliferation of pathogens. All three components in combination with each other provide a pronounced analgesic effect and help reduce bleeding and swelling of soft tissues. You just need to be careful with iodine - you need to strictly adhere to the dosage and take into account possible contraindications.


Iodine actively fights pathogenic microflora

Rinse rules

To ensure the effectiveness of rinsing your teeth, you should adhere to the following simple rules:

  • Before the procedure, be sure to brush your teeth. This will remove any leftover food;
  • The solution should be approximately 30°C: hot liquid can cause a burn to the oral cavity, cold liquid can increase pain. The only exceptions are cases of suppuration;
  • Rinse only with a freshly prepared solution - this way the medicine will not lose its properties;
  • During the process, place more emphasis on the diseased tooth, tilting your head in the right direction;
  • You need to rinse your mouth with the solution, then spit it out, do not swallow;
  • If the desired result is relief from toothache, then rinsing must be done for at least 5 minutes, and the liquid must be renewed every 30 seconds;
  • Repeat the rinsing procedure as often as possible, preferably after each meal.

At the same time, it is worth understanding that following the rules can dull toothache and alleviate the condition, but does not exempt you from contacting a specialist or receiving qualified help.


Cleaning your teeth from food debris and thoroughly rinsing will relieve toothache.

Recommendations for preparing the product for different occasions

The solution is very easy to prepare, and the ingredients for it can be found in any home. Just keep in mind that the liquid needs to be prepared anew each time, and to dilute the components you should use warm boiled water or room temperature. Depending on the problem, recommendations for using the composition may be different - let's look at them in more detail.

When a toothache takes you by surprise

To relieve acute pain in teeth, it is recommended to dilute a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. You can rinse your mouth every half hour until the intensity of the symptom subsides. You can add a teaspoon of soda to the main composition - then the effect will be more pronounced and come faster. Many also advise adding a couple of drops of iodine. On how to properly rinse a sore tooth, experts give the following recommendations:

  • Before rinsing, you need to brush your teeth with a brush and toothpaste,
  • the solution should be warm or at room temperature - if it is too cold or hot, the pain will only intensify,
  • It is better to keep the liquid from the side of the causative tooth, focusing on treating the diseased area,
  • There is no need to rinse your mouth with water after the procedure.


Rinsing is also used to relieve acute pain in the teeth.
As mentioned above, upon completion of the procedure, the liquid must be spat out. Each time the composition must be prepared anew, otherwise its effectiveness will significantly decrease.

If there are signs of acute inflammation in the soft tissues

To treat inflamed gums, the composition is recommended in the same proportions - about 200 ml of warm boiled water and a teaspoon of salt and soda. In this case, you can add a couple of drops of sage essential oil or a drop of iodine. Regular rinsing will help relieve swelling and soreness, reduce redness of the gums and strengthen the mucous tissue.

The composition can only be used in courses, and not on an ongoing basis, otherwise the effect may be reversed. The product will speed up the healing process if the mucous membrane hurts after tooth extraction. Only in this case, you shouldn’t rinse too intensely - you can simply hold the liquid behind your cheek on the side of the causative tooth.

While brushing your teeth for prevention

Sometimes salt and soda are recommended to be added to daily dental and oral care products. So, for example, in the composition of toothpaste, these ingredients enhance its abrasive and whitening properties. It is enough to squeeze a small amount of paste onto the brush, then take a little of the mixed powder and brush your teeth thoroughly for a minute.


Baking soda is also used when brushing teeth

Try not to touch your gums, and after completing the procedure, rinse your mouth with plain water. The mixture can be used in this way for a limited period of time. Otherwise, you can seriously injure the enamel, and this is fraught with the development of hyperesthesia and other unpleasant consequences.

Can it be used during pregnancy?

Regarding the best way to rinse your mouth during pregnancy, you should definitely consult your dentist. It is not prohibited to use a soda-salt solution during this period, however, all precautions must be taken and if a pronounced gag reflex appears, stop the procedure immediately.

You also need to take into account that sometimes the combination of salt, soda and iodine gives an allergic reaction. Solutions with added iodine are generally not recommended during pregnancy. Do not exceed the dosage prescribed by the doctor so as not to provoke complications.


During pregnancy, you should be wary of any treatment methods.

Baking soda rinse

Baking soda is known for its antifungal effect. A solution with soda gently cleanses the oral cavity and tooth enamel, blocks the development of pathogenic microbes, disinfects the oral cavity, and reduces swelling. In order for teeth rinsing to solve existing dental problems, you must follow the recommendations above and maintain the proportions. Water for rinsing your mouth must be boiled. Use 1 tsp per glass of water. soda The contents of the container must be mixed well, the liquid should be cloudy, whitish, sediment at the bottom is unacceptable. If you are worried about acute toothache, then it is permissible to double the amount of soda.


Soda solution is an excellent oral disinfectant.

Features of use in childhood

The composition can be given to children only from the age of 5. It is important that the child can already independently control the procedure, otherwise the baby may accidentally swallow the composition, and this is fraught with undesirable consequences for his stomach and digestive system. In addition, the components can leave burns on the mucous membrane.

For older children, the product is prepared according to the same principle, but in a lower concentration - half a teaspoon per glass of warm water. It is better to avoid iodine altogether - the effect of salt and soda is quite enough to relieve acute symptoms and disinfect tissues.

What are the pros and cons?

The main advantages are the availability of ingredients, ease of preparation, effectiveness and safety. Among the key advantages, experts highlight the following points:

  • quickly relieves pain and inflammation,
  • removes plaque and cleanses enamel, freshens breath,
  • stimulates the healing of microtraumas and wounds on the mucous membrane,
  • inhibits the formation of dental plaque,
  • strengthens hard and soft tissues - the composition is useful for both teeth and gums,
  • Easy to prepare from simple and affordable ingredients - a good budget option.

The disadvantages include unpleasant sensations due to enamel hyperesthesia, as well as a specific taste, which in rare cases causes attacks of nausea. In addition, the composition only relieves symptoms, but does not treat the disease itself, so its use is good before or after visiting a doctor, and then only as maintenance therapy.

  1. Borovsky E.V. Therapeutic dentistry, 2006.
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