Toothaches always seem to come at such inopportune times, but you can't ignore the pain. Sometimes the ache hits during the weekend, when you're unable to get affordable dental help. It might surprise you on vacation, or start as a small, barely noticeable annoyance. Sometimes you anticipate it. Sometimes you just wake up and it's there. No matter where it comes from or how it happens, a small toothache can interrupt your life in a very big way. The best way to fix this is clearly to see a dentist, but sometimes this option is delayed or even impossible.

1. Try these Temporary Fixes.If your unfortunate malady occurs over the weekend or at a time when you can't immediately see a dentist, there are a few simple steps you can take to temporarily alleviate pain until you can see a dentist for treatment. Though it sounds painful, gently flossing around the affected tooth will remove small food particles that could be contributing to the problem. Gently rinsing your mouth out with warm salt water or mouthwash helps to disinfect the area and relieve a bit of the pain and inflammation.

2. Ease the Pain.Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, when taken according to the directions on the package, can bring the pain down a bit. To numb the immediate area, carefully apply a numbing solution, such as those made for infants to alleviate teething pain. Crush a clove of garlic and carefully place it on the infected tooth to help lessen the infection and further reduce pain, since garlic is a natural antiseptic and pain reliever. Keep the clove on the infected tooth as long as possible, despite the burning sensation and strong taste. If swelling has occurred, place a cold compress on the area to reduce the swelling and to help numb the area. On the other hand, you may want to use heat pack to warm, relax and soothe the area.

3. Rescue Your Wallet.If your cash flow is more like a trickle, and a dentist visit would put you way behind, check out the various affordable dental options online. There are plenty of options for cheap dentistry coverage that won't break your bank. Discount dental plans are typically available on the same day as sign-up or 1-3 days later. These also have low monthly payments, sometimes less then $10, and can save you nearly 70% on treatment at the dentist.

If a toothache is left completely untreated, the pain and symptoms could become much worse, and other underlying problems could develop further until you have a severe oral disease. These tips can all be used to help you endure the pain until you can see a dentist for affordable dental help, but they should never completely substitute for a trip to the dentist.

For more affordable dental tips from Susan Braden, see this article.