Does Bonjela Help Toothaches
Does Bonjela help toothaches? What exactly is it, and how do you use it? We will cover everything you need to be aware of in this article.
Toothaches are a common issue that many of us will deal with in our lives, so knowing how to deal with them is important. While there are a number of remedies that you could consider, you might be thinking – does Bonjela help toothaches?
The answer lies below, and we have good news for you. If you want to find out more about Bonjela, including what it is, if it alleviates toothaches, how to use it, keep reading.
Leading Causes of Toothaches
Toothaches can cause earaches, among other things, which only makes them more difficult to deal with. Things like stress can also add to the problem, and in severe cases, a toothache can be treated as an emergency, but this doesn’t mean that you should plan a trip to the A&E.
Below are some common causes for a person to get a toothache. Please note that not all of these will require medical intervention like a tooth extraction:
- Bruxism
- Abscesses
- Tooth decay
- Loose crowns
- Tooth eruption
- Tooth fractures
- Gum infections
- Sinus tooth pain
- Tooth extraction pain
- Bad or damaged fillings
- Food stuck in teeth
- Malocclusion (misaligned teeth)
- Heart disease (particularly angina)
What is Bonjela?
Bonjela is a pain-relief product that you can get in many different stores across the UK, including Boots. There are several different Bonjela products to choose from, including Bonjela Cool Mint Gel (cool mint flavoured), Bonjela Junior Gel (banana flavoured), Bonjela Soothing Teething Gel (banana flavoured), and regular Bonjela (aniseed & mint flavour).
While these products are marketed as being effective against inflammation, discomfort and pain caused by cold sores, mouth ulcers, sore spots, and dentures, it can also help with toothaches as it numbs the area it is applied to.
Does Bonjela Help Toothaches
Does Bonjela help with toothaches? Yes, this product can be effective in helping to reduce the pain associated with toothaches. It may be able to help with toothaches from a variety of causes, but it’s important to remember that numbing the pain is not treating it.
If there is an underlying cause to your toothache, you should go to a dentist to find the cause and come up with a solution that works for you.
How to Use Bonjela
Using Bonjela is quick and easy, and can be summarised in three steps:
- Wash your hands thoroughly
- Apply around 1 cm of gel to the affected area and massage it in
- Wash your hands again
This process can safely be repeated every three hours. Please remember that the regular Bonjela is not suitable for children under the age of 16. If you know someone who would benefit from this product, but they are too young, Bonjela Junior Gel is a more suitable option, as this can be used by anyone over 5 months old, including adults and the elderly.
Other Ways to Reduce Toothache Pain
While products like Bonjela are fantastic for relieving tooth and gum pain, it might not always be available. Whether you’ve run out, or you can’t use it for any reason, it’s good to have alternatives that you can turn to if you want to see if your toothache will go away on its own.
If you are looking for some home remedies to reduce toothache discomfort, you can try the following options to see how they work for you. Unfortunately, we can’t make any guarantees, but these at-home methods can go a long way to helping to reduce pain.
- Diluted hydrogen peroxide – mix 3% hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water (1:1 ratio) and use it as a mouthwash, but do not swallow it. Hydrogen peroxide can relieve inflammation and pain as it kills bacteria, helps bleeding gums, and reduces plaque.
- Peppermint tea bags – used to help soothe sensitive gums and numb, peppermint tea bags should be heated, then allowed to cool slightly, and placed on the affected area. You could also freeze the tea bag for a few minutes to get the cold compress effect.
- Cold compress – this is particularly effective if there has been trauma (e.g. a facial injury) that has resulted in the toothache. Blood vessels constrict and the pain is reduced. Only place a cold compress on the area in 20-minute increments for a few hours.
- Saltwater rinse – salt will help to disinfect your mouth, and the combination of salt and water work well to remove any debris that might be stuck in your teeth that is causing pain. This remedy can also help with wound healing and reducing inflammation.
- Vanilla extract – due to the alcohol in vanilla extract, the pain of a toothache can be numbed. Additionally, real vanilla contains antioxidant properties that can help with healing.
- Garlic – garlic is excellent for reducing pain and promoting healing due to the antibacterial You can chew some fresh garlic or crush some into a paste to be applied to the affected or painful areas.
With that being said, not all at-home remedies will work for all toothaches. Depending on the cause of the toothache, medical intervention may be required. In these cases, you can expect any of the following, depending on what is causing the ache:
- Fillings – if you have a cavity that is causing the toothache or sensitivity, you will need to get a filling to resolve the issue.
- Tooth removal – if there is a larger issue or if there is too much tooth decay, tooth extraction might be the only option to consider. This might sound scary, but it’s better than dealing with excruciating pain.
- Over the counter medication – some toothaches will only require painkillers or over the counter medication. Speak to your dentist and see if this will be suitable for the cause of your toothache.
- Another kind of medical treatment – other treatments like fluoride treatments might be suitable, but again, you will need to speak to your dentist about this as it might not work for your particular case.
What to do if You Get a Toothache
The answer to this will depend on the cause. If you are getting a toothache from trauma, then you should go to a dentist immediately. However, if you are experiencing a toothache due to tooth eruption (e.g. a wisdom tooth appearing), then this might not be your immediate go-to.
In many cases, it is advised to wait at least two days to see if the toothache goes away. In this time, you can use products like Bonjela, ibuprofen, or Paracetamol to help manage the pain. If it persists, then make an appointment with your dentist.
Will a Toothache Go Away on its Own?
Not all toothaches will go away on their own, but some will without medical intervention. If a toothache is being caused by something like food being stuck in your teeth, tooth eruption, or sinus issues, these will pass – but you can still take something to manage the pain.
Toothaches caused by trauma to the tooth, a loose crown, severe malocclusion, or a handful of other things will need medical intervention to resolve.
Final Thoughts
Toothaches can be challenging to deal with, but they are an unfortunate part of life. If you suffer from frequent toothaches, there may be underlying causes that you need to explore, such as bruxism, angina, or abscesses. Work with medical professionals to get to the bottom of it so that you can get your life back.
At Didsbury Dental Clinic, we’re here to give you your smile back as well as answer your burning questions – like how long it takes for the hole to close after a tooth extraction. For more information, learn more about our treatments and FAQs, or get in touch.
To answer your question ‘does Bonjela help toothaches’, the answer is yes – but it might not be effective for all toothaches, and it is not a cure. If you are suffering from toothaches for more than a few days, we advise you to make an appointment with your dentist and get to the root of the issue.
