Lower the Pain with Homemade Toothache Remedies
Few things can be as devastatingly painful as a toothache, and quite a number of things can cause them. However, most cases of toothache correspond with dental decay, or what most people like to call a cavity. Other than pain, toothaches can also cause a whole slew of uncomfortable symptoms. Depending on the extent of the decay, you could run a fever, have a hard time swallowing and even discharge pus out of the infected tooth. In case of any of these symptoms, you should meet with your dentist as soon as possible. And while you may not be able to do so immediately, here are a few of the safest temporary Homemade Toothache Remedies to decrease the amount of discomfort you experience:
Warm Salt Water
Warm salt water is all natural and the safest home remedy you can use. Salt water is used as a mouth rinse when treating a tooth ache. A saline solution like this will help draw out any infected fluid in your mouth that may be contributing to tooth decay. Gargling multiple times a day will keep your mouth clean so your body has a chance to combat the infection.
Clove Oil
The flavor may not be to your fancy, but placing a cotton swab that has been soaked in clove oil will alleviate some of the pain. Clove oil naturally contains the substance eugenol, which kills pain and cleanses the infected area.
While clove oil does contain a natural painkiller, it’s not useful for long-term use. Also be careful when putting it in your mouth, as it can cause pain on overly sensitive areas of the mouth, and can hurt your tongue.
Peppermint Tea Bags
Peppermint has numbing properties similar to cloves. Wet, used tea bags have been used to soothe sensitive skin for many years. Just apply the tea bag directly to the affected area, or chill it in the freezer first.
This method is safe to use, but the effects are short lived. A few minutes after the bag is removed, you’ll notice the pain starting to return.
Garlic
It might not do much for your breath, but garlic can provide some relief from toothache. It does this primarily by acting as an antibiotic, inhibiting the growth of the bacteria attacking your tooth.
You can use garlic in one of two ways:
- Smash a garlic clove with some salt and apply the paste to the sore tooth.
- Simply chew on one or two cloves of garlic, repeating two or three times a day.
Cold Compress
It may sound simple, but a cold compress will help numb pain emanating from a toothache. Do not put the compress on your tooth, but place it on the outside cheek where the aching tooth is.
Alcohol
No, we aren’t suggesting you start drinking alcohol to numb your pain. Instead, an alcohol-soaked cotton ball applied to the sore tooth will provide some level of temporary pain relief. Unfortunately, once the alcohol evaporates the pain will be right back.
While you can use strong liquors such as bourbon, this method is heavily discouraged for use with children. Even small amounts of alcohol can make children violently ill, and it’s simply not worth the risk for temporary relief.
Long Term Remedies
As you might have noticed, these are all temporary solutions. Are there any long-term home remedies?
Unfortunately, no. The only way to get rid of tooth ache is to treat the underlying problem, and that will involve a trip to the dentist. These home remedies are short-term measures to alleviate some of the pain, or at least get it to a manageable level, until you get to the dentist.
Remedies for TMD Related Pain
Sometimes the pain in your tooth or mouth might not be the result of infection or damage, but rather a TMD (temporomandibular dysfunction) problem. This can’t be treated by most of the above suggestions. The only effective home remedy that will address TMD-related pain is a cold press, and even this will be unfortunately minimal.
Home Remedy Safety
There are many effective folk remedies floating around on the internet for an aching tooth. Some of these are safe and sensible, but others are not; be careful with what you try. For example, our alcohol suggestion is the most dangerous option we’re prepared to suggest, as it can be used effectively on adults.
Some home remedy suggestions, such as hydrogen peroxide rinses, carry far more risk than they offer benefits. If it’s not mixed down enough, it will burn your mouth; if it’s ingested, hydrogen peroxide can cause serious stomach and intestinal problems.
Make sure to stay in contact with your dentist before you try any remedies that involve anything you think might be harmful. No amount of home remedy will substitute for the professional help a dentist can offer.
Keeping Your Mouth Clean
You may be tempted to not brush your teeth when you have a toothache. While it may hurt, it’s absolutely important to keep brushing your teeth. The infection causing the pain will only increase as your mouth remains dirty. Continuing to brush and floss your teeth will allow your mouth a chance to recover from the bacteria causing the infection.
Mouthwash will also help keep your mouth clean, but be cautious not to overuse it. Doing so may lead to inflammation of the gums, which may already be sensitive because of the septicity in your mouth. In addition, giving up sweets and foods that are extremely hot or cold can help you avoid unnecessary pain.
While the Homemade Toothache Remedies listed above may provide temporary relief, please visit Dentrix Dental Care as soon as possible in case of a toothache. We’ll treat the root cause of your toothache and give you effective, lasting relief from pain. Nothing in your mouth is supposed to hurt: if you notice throbbing, swelling, redness, or soreness, call us today for an appointment.