Dr Michael Smith D.M.D.

Dental

9 Home Remedies You Can Do For Toothaches

Find relief without visiting the dentist or drug store. As anyone who has ever had a toothache knows, the pain is irritating at best and unbearable at worst. The dull throbbing paired with sharp stabs of pain makes it difficult to work, eat, sleep, or enjoy just about anything.

Luckily, there are home remedies for toothaches that can help you ease the symptoms without resorting to over-the-counter drugs or an emergency trip to the dentist. For example f you’re wanting to find pain-reducing techniques that you’re able to do yourself at home, have a look into ingredients and herbs that have natural healing and pain-lessening properties, you may even want to try looking at these vegetarian capsules 00 or similar products to make your own medical capsules for when the pain becomes unbearable. This way you always know what you’re putting in your body too.

Here are the Home Remedies for Toothaches

  • Clove Oil: There is a natural painkiller called eugenol, that is present in particularly high concentrations in clove oil. Place a few drops of the oil on a cotton ball, and place it on the affected tooth. Be careful, however, not to expose other parts of the mouth to the oil as they could become irritated.
  • A cold compress: A cold compress or an ice pack can help reduce dental pain, especially if a toothache is due to injury or swollen gums. A person can try holding the ice pack or a bag of frozen peas, for example, against the surface of the cheek above the painful tooth for a few minutes at a time. The use of a cold treatment constricts the blood vessels, slowing the flow of blood to the affected area. This helps numb the pain and reduce swelling and inflammation.
  • Salt Water: Saltwater is a form of natural disinfectant that can help to kill some of the bacteria causing your tooth pain. Mix up a solution, and swish it around your mouth for about 30 seconds. This method can be repeated as often as needed.
  • Peppermint Tea Bags: Peppermint has numbing properties that can stop the throbbing pain of a toothache. Take a wet, used tea bag and put it in the freezer for a few minutes. Then hold it directly next to the bad tooth for at least 20 minutes. A few drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball can also be placed against the affected tooth as a temporary remedy.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide: You will kill more of the bacteria around a toothache by using hydrogen peroxide, but the swishing experience is not particularly pleasant and ingesting the solution could make you sick to your stomach. If you opt for this treatment, mix equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water.
    Note: A hydrogen peroxide rinse must never be swallowed, and this remedy is not recommended for children
  • Garlic: There are natural antibiotic properties in garlic that can eliminate some of the bacteria making your tooth hurt. Mash a clove with a pinch of salt, and apply the paste directly to the tooth. Just be aware that your breath will be less than pleasant afterward.
  • Vanilla: Most all vanilla extract is made with alcohol, which has numbing properties. Plus, the scent is believed to be calming and relaxing. Place a few drops on your finger, and rub it on the tooth.
  • Bourbon: Like most alcohols, bourbon has numbing properties. Dip a cotton ball and place it directly on the affected tooth. Do not, however, use this remedy for kids. Even small amounts of alcohol can be deadly.
  • Thyme: Has a powerful antibacterial and antioxidant properties that can help to treat toothaches. To use this, dab a few drops of thyme essential oil and a few drops of water onto a cotton ball. After diluting the oil with the water, apply it to the affected area. You can also add a drop of the oil to a small glass of water and make a mouthwash.

Visit your dentist

If your toothache is severe or is the result of a more serious medical condition, you need to see your dentist so you can treat it properly. Many toothaches will require medical attention from a dental clinic. These home remedies will only help you to ease some pain in the meantime, but they are not a permanent solution.

You should immidiately see your dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms like swelling, fever, pain when you bite, trouble to breathe or swallowing, pain that lasts more than one or two days and
abnormally red gums.

To prevent all of these always remember to brush your teeth twice every day.