Should Delta 8 THC Be Taken for a Toothache?

Just about every person on the planet experiences a toothache from time to time, and some toothaches are more severe or serious than others. There’s no doubt that a toothache can become so bad that the pain is excruciating, to the point that a person simply can’t focus on anything else during the day. Naturally, a toothache always requires a visit to the dentist to determine what is causing the pain, and to ensure proper treatment to eliminate the pain that is causing so much distress.

There are all kinds of treatment options available for a toothache, and many of them can be provided by your dentist. But, if you wish to manage pain after getting a proper diagnosis, you may be able to find plant-based options on the market that are completely natural and holistic. One option that more and more people are discovering is delta 8 THC, the minor cannabinoid in hemp that can be concentrated to deliver more potent effects associated with the compound.

What is a Toothache?

A toothache is any pain that is felt within the tooth. The pain can either stay centralized to the tooth or can radiate to other teeth, the gums or the jaw. The pain can be mild or severe, and short-lived or chronic depending on the underlying circumstances.

The reason why toothaches can be so severe is because the nerves hidden beneath the enamel of the teeth are extremely sensitive. This is actually beneficial, because if a toothache wasn’t so painful, we wouldn’t know when our teeth are infected to the point of causing danger to the body.

What Causes a Toothache?

There are a number of factors that can cause a toothache to occur. The only way to know why you have a toothache is to visit your dentist, which should be done as soon as possible as certain causes can quickly lead to potentially serious complications, including infections of the tooth.

• Cavities: A cavity is the most common cause of a toothache, and just about everyone will get a cavity at least once in their life. A cavity is a hole on the surface of the tooth that can become deep enough to expose the nerve inside the tooth, thus causing pain, especially when food comes into contact with it. Cavities are usually the result of poor dental health, which can come from failing to brush the teeth frequently enough, or consuming so much sugar that the teeth attract enamel-eating bacteria.
• Receding Gums: Another common culprit is receding gums, which can result from gum disease. This causes the gum tissue to recede, thus exposing the very sensitive root of the tooth at the gumline. Anything that touches the root can lead to a lot of pain, as can extreme temperatures.
• Infection: If the actual tooth is infected, this can result in extreme pain and usually requires surgery. A tooth infection is quite serious and requires medical intervention as early as possible.
• Damage to the Enamel: The enamel that coats the teeth acts to protect them, but the enamel can wear down over time, usually due to consuming foods that deplete it, including highly acidic foods and foods that are high in sugar. This causes the teeth to become very sensitive, especially to cold.
• Impact Trauma: Trauma to the tooth can lead to pain, such as a tooth that has become cracked or chipped due to biting down on something hard.

Treating a Toothache

We MUST reiterate that a toothache requires a diagnosis from a dentist as soon as possible, because again, many toothaches have causes that get progressively worse in a short amount of time. Also, many toothaches require some form of treatment that only a dentist can provide, such as a filling for a cavity.

Pain medications may also help, including ones sold over the counter and ones that are prescribed by your dentist.

Delta 8 THC for Toothache Pain: Can It Help?

Delta 8 THC is a cannabinoid that’s being studied for its unique properties, and we’re learning that this particular cannabinoid binds to CB1 receptors in the nervous system to regulate nervous system functions in a uniquely targeted way. We’ve seen in studies that delta 8 may offer analgesic properties, which come from the compound’s distinctive regulatory effects on pain receptors in the nerves. It may also possess anti-inflammatory properties that can be useful for pain caused by inflammation.

This combination of properties can be helpful to those with a toothache. Delta 8 may reduce sensitivity of the nerves of the teeth that can be greatly affected by a toothache, while reducing inflammation of the tissue that can cause additional pain.

How to Use Delta 8 for a Toothache

Now, even though delta 8 THC has many uses thanks to the way in which it works with the endocannabinoid system, primarily within the nervous system, you still need to know how to use it properly.

1. Talk with Your Dentist: Before taking delta 8 THC, talk about it with your dentist, especially if you are on a pain medication. Some pain medications may interact with delta 8 as the cannabinoid can suppress the CYP3A4 metabolite that breaks down specific medications used for pain.
2. Consider a Vaping Product: For a toothache, we recommend a vaping product. This is because gummies contain sugar, which may make a toothache worse.
3. Take Delta 8 Consistently: Delta 8 THC has a cumulative way of working in the body, becoming more effective with consistent use. Therefore, consider taking a dose of delta 8 THC on a daily basis.
4. Be Conscious of the Strength: Delta 8 products with higher milligram strengths are more potent and may therefore be more effective. But, beginners should still start with a low strength and dosage amount to get their body used to its psychoactive properties, which a person can build a tolerance to over time.