Better the pain

[Hugo350z]

Hello there, ladies and gentlemen:

I'm new in this site, so this is my first post; sorry for any mistakes in advance.

Right, so here's my question:

Is this sentence correct?

"If you mix salt with water and you use it to rinse your mouth, you can better the pain."

This is regarding a tip for pain relief, in this case toothache.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Gabriel]

Sí, es correcto:

better
VT mejorar [+ record, score] superar
to better o.s. (financially) mejorar su posición; (culturally, educationally) superarse

 

[Hugo350z]

Thanks, Gabriel!

 

[The Newt]

No, I would not use "better the pain" (although "make the pain better" might be okay). I would say "relieve / reduce / help the pain."

 

[ZSThomp]

I agree with The Newt. I would say "relieve/reduce/help/alleviate." "Better the pain" suena medio rebuscado.

Z

 

[Gabriel]

Just for the record, I didn't say that I would say it or that it sounds great. Just that it is correct, perhaps barely.

 

[Hugo350z]

No, I would not use "better the pain" (although "make the pain better" might be okay). I would say "relieve / reduce / help the pain."

I agree with The Newt. I would say "relieve/reduce/help/alleviate." "Better the pain" suena medio rebuscado.

Z

Thanks for your help! I thought "better the pain" was correct, but it was not, and as "ZSThomp" said, it does not sound like a phrase one would use. Be well.