But before you can even close your eyes, disaster strikes. Your tooth suddenly aches and it hurts like hell. Unless your dentist happens to be vampire, you know you won't get any help at this time of the night. What on earth are you going to do?

Let's face it. In this age of information and unlimited internet access, most of us probably know what's happening around the world. But when it comes to “dental emergencies”, it's like facing a blank wall. Many are unprepared and in the dark simply because of misinformation or plain ignorance. This results in applying the wrong treatment that can be costly, useless, or downright dangerous.

To prevent this from happening, here are some practical home remedies for common tooth problems:

If you have a toothache in the middle of the night, don't make the mistake of chewing on a wet tea bag or putting aspirin on the affected tooth or against your gum. Tea leaves have no painkilling properties and aspirin doesn't work that way. Since the latter is an acid, it can burn and severely irritate the gum or cheek that can take four or five days to heal. You're better off swallowing aspirin or any other over-the-counter analgesic with a glass of water.

Sometimes a toothache can be caused by food stuck between the teeth. In that case, simple flossing and rinsing with warm salt water will solve the problem. If the pain is severe and the tooth reacts to heat and pressure, put an ice cold can of soda on the cheek near the painful tooth and go to a dentist as soon as possible.

If your tooth is knocked out in a sporting accident or in a fight, don't panic. You can still save it. Find the tooth, put it in a wet cloth (ice water is best) and go to a dentist or hospital emergency room fast.

Bothered a broken tooth? If it doesn't hurt, you don't need to rush to a dentist now. But if the tooth is sharp, it can injure your gums. To avoid this, gently smooth the sharp edge with an emery board or a fine file or cover it with over-the-counter temporary filling materials you can purchase at a drugstore.

No toothbrush? No problem. If you're eating out, rinse afterwards with a glass of water. This simple measure will wash away food debris in your mouth and will help reduce your chances of getting cavities.

To keep your teeth healthy and strong, brush after meals and visit a dentist regularly. This will prevent common tooth problems that can affect your appearance and make you look old and ugly.