A few years ago, I cracked a molar on an almond that was hiding in a dark chocolate bar. My first thought was that these are some pretty hard nuts. My immediate next thought was, “Oh no.”
And of course, I was on vacation in Maine. Bar Harbor. Love it there. But what I didn’t love was not going to be able to get back and see my dentist for another two days.
This wasn’t my first rodeo. The last time I cracked a tooth, it was on blue claw crabs. I deserved that one for trying to crack those hard claws with my teeth instead of a nutcracker.
Again, on vacation. That time in Ocean City, Maryland. Why does it always have to be when I am away?
Anyhow, I figured I could just put on my big boy pants and tough it out. I’ve done it before. The tooth was a little sensitive, but I started chewing on the other side and it was fine. Then, the ice-cold milk hit it. I felt like I was going to go through the roof.
I wasn’t going to do that again. The tooth calmed down in a few minutes and I was OK. Then, I got through the next day, too.
But driving home the following day back to Long Island, for over eight hours, I was in pure agony. I always drive when we take long trips, not this time. I could barely see straight I was in so much pain.
We didn’t even stop home. It was straight to Sachem Dental where my dentist took me right in. Thank God.
If you’ve ever had a serious toothache, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s one of the worst pains I’ve ever had. You can’t concentrate, sleep, or even function normally.
Every sip of cold water feels like a lightning bolt shooting through your head. And it’s not just going to go away by itself, that’s for sure.
When the Novocain finally kicked in, I started thinking. What if something like this happens and you can’t get to a dentist for a long period of time? Like when Covid shut the world down or a power outage that lasts weeks. What then?
Common Causes
Well, there’s cracking a tooth on almonds, blue claw crabs, and baby back ribs. Oh yeah, I did that last one, too. Surprisingly, that wasn’t when I was on vacation.
As I’m getting older, I guess my teeth aren’t as strong as they used to be. But it doesn’t just happen to natural teeth.
I may have the most honest dentist out there. He once told me that all dental solutions are built to fail. Think about it. Fillings crack, crowns break and even implants can get damaged.
Then, there are the dreaded cavities. Over time, your teeth just wear down, even if you’re brushing twice a day and flossing. I don’t floss nearly enough, except the spot where I have back-to-back crowns and food keeps getting trapped in the rounded edges.
With cavities, generally you know when one is coming on. But if you wait too long to get it looked at, that pain is beyond intense.
Inflamed gums are another problem. Here’s where you feel like it’s a toothache, but the real problem is the tissue surrounding the tooth.
Bleeding, swelling and tenderness are tell-tale signs. Bad breath, too. Wishing this would go away instead of taking care of it can lead to some serious issues down the road.
Exposed roots are torture. And abscesses and infections are even more serious because they can spread real fast and turn into a much bigger health issue.
OUCH … And No Dentist In Sight
I’d say the first thing to do is relax and try to think calmly. Yeah, OK. That’s not happening. But you do have to try to get the pain to calm down.
First order of business is to keep the area clean. You don’t want tiny pieces of food anywhere near that tooth. Rinse carefully with warm water and if you’re feeling brave, you can gently brush the area. Gently.
After that, stay hydrated. If your mouth gets too dry, bacteria could start to make the problem worse. And no hot, cold, hard, sugary or acidy foods. I know, that’s some list to avoid. But you’ll thank me later.
Now, back to getting rid of that intense pain. My grandparents’ never-fail recipe was whisky. Just a little on the area. But that’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
You can try over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil or Ibuprofen. That might take the edge off, but usually not for too long. For me anyway.
Also, there are products specifically designed for this problem, like Anbesol and Orajel that do a pretty good job numbing the area. I’m an Anbesol guy because of another vacation story.
My wife and I were in Spring Lake, New Jersey a few years back and she got a toothache. Now, this is a woman who only had one other tooth issue in the twenty years we were married at the time.
She was losing it. I found the nearest CVS, told the pharmacist what was going on and asked her what she would recommend. Anbesol.
As soon as she put it on, she was like a different person. It got her through the rest of the four days we were there before we got home and to the dentist.
There are temporary dental repair kits you can get at pharmacies that help with lost fillings, crowns or other minor issues. I never tried them, but my brother-in-law John did when he cracked a crown on a hard-boiled egg. Seriously, a hard-boiled egg. He wouldn’t recommend those kits.
Warning Signs That Require Urgent Attention
Toothache pain can feel unbearable. But if you notice any of these issues, it’s time to get immediate help.
Big-time facial swelling, a high fever along with the pain, pus around the tooth or problems swallowing or breathing. Or if things are going south real fast. Any of these could mean an infection is spreading.
An Ounce Of Prevention…
No matter what you do, odds are that sooner or later you are going to have tooth pain. But, if you brush and floss regularly, see your dentist twice a year and take care of problems before they become real problems, hopefully it will be on the “later” side.
Also, I stash an extra toothbrush, floss, mouthwash, and of course, Anbesol, in my car and pack. You know, just in case.
Final Thoughts
Remember in the movie, Cast Away, when Tom Hanks had a severe toothache after being stranded on a deserted island and he yanked out the infected tooth using a rock and an ice skate?
Yeah, don’t do that.
You don’t have to be stranded on a deserted island though to have a prolonged toothache nightmare. But you may find yourself where you just can’t get to a dentist for a few days or maybe even a few weeks.
And a bad toothache can turn you into a shell of yourself in a hurry.
So, here’s my PSA. Keep your teeth in good shape, don’t put off problems that need attention, and stash a few dental supplies away with your gear.
Hopefully, you’ll never need them.
But if you ever find yourself eight hours from home with an almond-induced cracked tooth and a mouthful of pain, you’ll be glad you did.
About the Author: Anthony Vion is a lifelong prepper from Long Island, NY, with decades of hands-on experience in self-reliance and practical skill-building. He writes about everyday prepping in a straightforward, realistic way, with a focus on simple steps that help families stay ready for the unexpected. And no, he is not receiving any payment from Anbesol for this article.
This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or dental advice. Dental pain can have many causes, some of which may require prompt professional treatment. Always consult a qualified dentist or healthcare provider regarding concerns about your oral health, especially if symptoms are severe, worsening, or accompanied by swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty breathing.
