There is nothing worse than dental pain, and as you know sometimes it’s not always possible to get to your dentist straight away. The following 5 home remedies for toothache are the best to minimize your tooth pain. They are safe for all the family and will reduce chronic pain until you can get to your dentist.
The Following Symptoms Require A Dentist
Oral pain can be due to a number of reasons. Some that are minor and treatable at home, whereas others are more serious and require the immediate attention of a dentist.
Tooth pain can stem from tooth decay, damaged fillings, a fractured tooth, infected gums or even an abscessed tooth.
If your pain is related to an abscessed tooth you may suffer serious complications if you don’t seek rapid treatment. Complications from an abscess can include loss of the tooth and also of the supporting jaw bone. In some serious cases bacterial infections may spread to other areas of the body which might lead to hospitalization, or in very serious cases neglecting an abscessed tooth may result in death.
The following symptoms may indicate an abscessed tooth. If they are present it is urgent that you see a dentist immediately.
- You have developed red and swollen gums
- You have a fever
- You have one or more swollen, red bumps in the mouth
- You notice blood or pus
- You have constant throbbing pain, usually unaffected by painkillers
- You notice a salty or nasty taste in the mouth
- Your face or jaw is swollen
5 Home Remedies For Toothache.
If your toothache isn’t caused by an abscessed tooth or existing underlying issue you can reduce your pain using our 5 home remedies for toothache.
1. Rinse With Warm Salt Water.
The chemical properties of salt, when combined with warm water, provide a cleansing and soothing effect for teeth and oral infection. The salt water rinse benefits oral health by:
- Soothing any sores of the mouth or bleeding of the gums
- Helps to cleanse, heal and soothe a sore throat
- Helps to freshen breath
- Loosens and removes any food debris
How To Use The Warm Salt Water Remedy.
- Bring 8 ounces of water (1 cup) to the boil.
- Remove the water from the heat
- Leave the water until it is cool enough to rinse with but is still warm.
- When the water is at the correct temperature add 1 teaspoon of salt and gently stir until completely dissolved.
- Dissolve 2 teaspoons of baking soda in the salty water (Optional).
- Use this saline solution by gargling with it. Do not swallow.
- Keep rinsing, swirling the mouth and gargling with the saline water.
- Spit out all the water and discard any solution that remains.
- This solution should be made fresh every time you use it.
2. Use An Ice Compress And Elevate.
Applying a cold compress is great for tooth pain that includes swelling. It is also excellent for numbing the pain. However this will be a temporary benefit.
How To The Iced Compress Remedy.
- If you have reusable ice packs they are ideal.
- If you do not have an ice pack you can make an excellent substitution by placing some ice in a resealable plastic bag and wrap it in a damp towel.
- Apply pressure with the cold compress to the swollen area of the face.
- Hold the compress in the area for a few minutes until the pain subsides.
- Repeat as necessary.
Note: Never apply ice directly to the tooth, since extreme temperatures may damage the root.
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Often when there is swelling involved this may be due to blood pooling. This in itself causes additional pain and exacerbates the inflammation. The pain and symptoms are often worse when laying down and so elevating your head with an extra pillow or two may relieve the pain and for longer.
3. Apply Clove Essential Oil.
Clove Essential Oil is not just for aromatherapy. It also serves as one of the most effective natural toothache remedies due to its numbing properties. It is similar to over the counter pain medication, such as benzocaine.
Clove essential oil can be found in all good health food stores and is relatively inexpensive. This makes clove oil a great therapeutic remedy to keep handy in the home.
Eugenol, which is one of the main compounds in cloves, has been shown to reduce tooth pain. The results of a 2015 clinical trial1Effectiveness of 0.2% chlorhexidine gel and a eugenol-based paste on postoperative alveolar osteitis in patients having third molars extracted: a randomised controlled clinical trial showed that people who applied eugenol to their gums and socket after having a tooth extracted suffered with less pain and reduced levels of inflammation during healing.
Eugenol from the clove acts as an analgesic, meaning that it numbs the area. To use clove as a toothache remedy you can do the following:
Clove Home Remedies For Toothache.
Clove Paste. Soak ground cloves in a little water to make a thick paste. Apply the clove paste directly to the tooth, or empty a tea bag, fill it with the clove paste, and then place this in the mouth.
Whole Clove. Chew or suck on a single clove. Allow it to rest as close as possible to the painful tooth to help relieve your pain.
Note: Whole cloves are not recommended for young children in case they swallow them.
Clove Essential Oil:
- Place a few drops of clove essential oil on a clean cotton swab.
- Gently apply and dab the oil onto the affected tooth and gum area.
- Allow the oil to be absorbed fully before you eat or drink anything.
Note: If you find clove oil too strong you can add the same amount of olive oil to dilute it.
4. Garlic Hot Pack.
Garlic is a common household ingredient used within many dishes. However it can also be used to relieve the pain associated with toothache.
Garlic has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties. It helps defend the body by killing harmful bacteria and acts as a natural pain reliever.
Use garlic to ease the pain of toothache. Take a single garlic clove and crush to create a fine ground paste. Apply the garlic paste to the affected area. You can also chew a clove of fresh garlic and then spit the remainder afterwards.
Allicin is the main compound that is found in garlic. It has a strong antibacterial effect which helps to kill the bacteria found in the mouth and that leads to the formation of cavities and causes tooth pain.
Garlic Hot Pack Remedy For Toothache.
One method that can be used alongside the garlic and is known to reduce discomfort further is applying a hot pack to your jaw area. If you need a hot pack you can make one easily by filling a clean sock with beans, lentils or rice. Then tie off the end. Place the rice filled sock in your microwave and heat for one to two minutes. The heat from the rice pack interrupts the pain signals and soothes toothache pain.
5. Thyme Mouthwash.
Thyme is a wonderful medicinal herb due to its powerful antioxidant and antibacterial properties. To alleviate toothache symptoms, just add a few drops of thyme essential oil to a glass of water and make a mouthwash. Just swirl the mouthwash around your mouth and then spit it out.
Another method is to dilute thyme essential oil with a few drops of clean water. Then soak this into a clean cotton ball. Apply it to gently to the affected area.
Thyme Mouthwash and Acupressure Remedy.
Some research suggests that acupressure may be able to reduce toothache by making the body release endorphins. Following the thyme mouthwash gently massage the areas around the painful area. Press and rub on the gum or the jaw bone in a circular motion making 20 clockwise circles and then 20 in an anticlockwise motion.
Home Remedies For Toothache Conclusion
The best way to truly deal with toothache is to take steps to avoid it. You can reduce the risk of oral health issues by thoroughly brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once. You should also eat a healthy diet, avoiding sugary or sticky foods and beverages.
You should also be careful not to chew ice or hard items that might cause a fracture in your tooth. Finally, be sure to schedule regular dental cleanings and checkups, so you can get treatment for minor dental issues before they become painful problems that demand expensive treatments.
Do you know any other natural remedies that work well do toothache? Let us know!
References
- 1Effectiveness of 0.2% chlorhexidine gel and a eugenol-based paste on postoperative alveolar osteitis in patients having third molars extracted: a randomised controlled clinical trial
