If you fell and hit your mouth, cracking a tooth, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to treat it at home until your appointment with the dentist. If so, use one or more of the following tips.

Use An Oral Syringe To Flush Food Out Of The Crack

Since stray food particles can irritate the exposed pulp of your tooth, you should flush them away with an oral syringe after every meal. Found in the dental care department in most pharmacies, grocery stores, and department stores, these syringes deliver a stream of water that gently cleanses the area in and around the crack in your tooth.

If your tooth is especially irritated, you may want to used sterile or distilled water. Neither of these types of water have any chlorine, and any metals and chemicals have been filtered out, unlike in your home's tap water.

Rinse Your Mouth With Salt Water Several Times A Day

Along with flushing the cracked tooth with an oral syringe, you should also rinse your mouth with salt water after every meal, as well as upon waking and before going to bed. Since salt acts as a natural antibacterial, rinsing with the salt water can kill the bacteria in your mouth that could cause an infection.

To use the salt water rinse, mix one teaspoon of salt in a half cup of water. Rinse your mouth for about a minute, and then follow with clear water.

Apply Gauze Soaked In Peppermint Oil To The Cracked Tooth

If you are having pain that over-the-counter analgesics don't help, you can apply gauze soaked in peppermint oil to help ease your discomfort. Not only is peppermint oil an antiseptic, it also has anti-inflammatory and pain0relieving properties that can give you some relief.

In a small bowl, mix together a teaspoon of distilled water and five or six drops of peppermint oil. Then, place a two-by-two piece of gauze in the solution, and leave it until the gauze is saturated. Then, fold the gauze over, and place it directly on your tooth for about 10 to 15 minutes.

The above tips should help decrease any discomfort caused by your cracked tooth, as well as keep it free from germs and debris. However, these measures are only temporary, so you still need to get to the appointment with your dentist so they can treat or repair your tooth as soon as possible.