Toothache occurs when the pulp which is center part of tooth, becomes irritated or inflamed. The pulp consists of several nerve endings that are highly sensitive. Pulp can become inflamed or irritated for many reasons. Some of the main causes of toothaches are cavities, an infection, an exposed tooth root, a cracked tooth, gum disease, a loose filling, or jaw joint disorder.
If you have toothache, it is best to seek immediate advice from a dentist before the problem worsens. Toothaches can vary greatly, from mild soreness to an unbearable throbbing pain in your teeth or around your jaws. It is common that major toothache hits when it’s late at night when you can’t go to dentist. You can try some natural remedies to relieve the pain temporarily. Apply directly to both the problem tooth and surrounding sore gums until unless otherwise directed.
Here are 10 ways through which you can relieve your tooth pain.
Clove contains eugenol, a natural anesthetic. Cloves are a traditional remedy for numbing nerves. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant properties too that help alleviate tooth pain and fight infection. Initially, you can have burning sensation due to the clove oil, but it is harmless.
- Grind 2-3 cloves and grind them into powder. Pour that powder on the place where it is aching.
- Dab a cotton ball in clove oil and rub it directly on the sore tooth.
- Mix a few drops of clove oil in half a glass of water and use it as a mouth rinse.
2. Black pepper and salt
Both black pepper and salt have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Salt mixed with pepper can be of great use when a tooth becomes extremely sensitive. This is a powerful mixture and it has the ability to cure toothache very effectively.
- Mix equal amounts of pepper and common salt with a few drops of water to form a paste. Apply the paste directly on the affected tooth and allow it to sit for a few minutes.
Garlic has antibiotic called alicin and other medicinal properties that can be very effective in reducing the pain and can help in curing toothache. It relieves from toothache and helpful in treating oral infection. It can also be used for the treat dental caries.
- Chew one or two cloves of garlic to get relief.
- Mix crushed garlic clove with some table salt or black salt and apply it directly on the affected tooth to relieve the pain.
4. Vanilla extract
Vanilla extract also contains eugenol, which has powerful analgesic and antiseptic properties. Vanilla extract is another popular home remedy for treating toothache as it helps numb the pain. Vanilla also has a calming effect and cure tooth pain. You can also use orange extract or lemon extract. It will provide instant relief from pain. This home remedy for toothache works wonderfully even for children.
- Dip a cotton swab in vanilla extract and dab it on the affected area or place the cotton near the painful tooth. Follow this few times a day until you get relief.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide solution helps to kill bacteria and relieve some discomfort. This can provide temporary relief if the toothache is accompanied by fever and a foul taste in the mouth. It is only a stopgap measure until you see your dentist and get the source of infection cleared up. A hydrogen peroxide solution is only for rinsing.
- Swish with a mouthful of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Spit it out, then rinse several times with plain water.
6. Ice packs
Ice can help alleviate tooth pain by numbing the nerve endings. But if you have exposed nerves, contact with the cold can cause more pain.
- Wrap a small ice cube in a thin cotton cloth. Hold it on your cheek near the aching tooth for a 10 minutes
- An acupressure technique that can ease tooth pain is to rub an ice cube between your index finger and thumb for a few minutes.
For cold compress, instead of ice packs you can also have normal tea bag. The tannins from the tea will help reduce swelling and also provide relief from the pain. Apply the teabag on the tooth. If your tooth is not sensitive to cold, place the teabag in ice water for some time before applying it.
Peppermint has a nice flavor and some numbing power. It will decrease the soreness as well as pain in the tooth. Peppermint oil is very effective in relieving toothache and can also cure dental carries.
- Chew few leaves of peppermint leaves and spit it out or swallow it.
- Dip a cotton swab on peppermint oil and apply it on the toothache area.
- Make a drink of peppermint leaves with warm water. This will not only eliminate toothache but it will also ease other related pains such as headaches.
- Put 1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves in 1 cup boiling water and steep for 20 minutes. After the tea cools, swish it around in your mouth then spit it out or swallow it. Repeat as often as needed.
8. Ginger and red cayenne pepper
Ginger contains powerful anti-bacterial properties that can be very beneficial not only in relieving toothaches but also in reducing redness and swelling and healing minor infections. Pepper helps to prevent painful gums, gums bleeding, foul breath and dental cavities. Fresh ginger root work more effectively.
- Bite ginger root down with the same tooth that is aching. For better results, keep swishing the juice for a few minutes around the aching tooth.
- Mix red cayenne pepper with ginger juice and make a paste. Apply in the affected tooth using cotton ball. Be sure to keep the cotton away from your gums, as it can cause irritation. This tooth ache home remedy will provide relief from the pain immediately.
9. Warm salt water
Saltwater contains numerous healing properties and it is used as a proven home remedy to treat infections, abscesses and aches in teeth. It will help reduce swelling and inflammation, and also fight the bacteria that cause infection. It cleanses the area around the tooth and draws out some of the fluid that causes swelling. Even sore gums can be treated effectively using this remedy.
- Mix half a spoon of common salt in a glass of hot water and use it to rinse your mouth thoroughly. Swish for at least 30 seconds. Repeat it many times.
10. Guava leaves
Due to its potent anti-inflammatory action, fresh guava leaves are widely used to relieve toothache and also heal mouth sores. They have analgesic and antimicrobial properties which is beneficial for toothache.
- Pluck fresh and clean (budding or new) leaves of guava and chew it, so that its juice reaches the affected area of the tooth.
- Another way to alleviate a toothache is to add four or five fresh guava leaves in boiling water. Add some salt to boiled water and use it as a mouthwash or gargle regularly to attain quick relief from tooth pain.
Note: It is best to have it taken care of by a professional as soon as possible instead of just treating it at home and hoping the underlying issue will go away on its own. If it’s infected i.e. gum area is swollen, don’t delay in getting professional medical care.