Toothache is one of the common problems faced by almost every one of us now and then. Toothache appears suddenly and causes great discomfort. For many people it can affect the quality of life as well. You can get peace only if you could reach out for a dentist and take medications or treatment. However it may take some time for getting appointment with your dentist or you may be in another place.
Hence it is necessary to understand some of the home remedies for toothache which is discussed here in this article.
If the pain is mild and tolerable, you can always rely on any of the above home remedies for toothache. But if the pain is severe you can always depend on OTC like acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin for getting quick relief.
1. Saltwater
The moment you get a toothache, lukewarm saltwater rinse is the apt home remedy. Mix ½ tsp of table salt in 100 ml of water and gently boil it until the salt gets dissolved. Now rinse this solution thoroughly several times a day. Salt is an effective germicide removing germs from your teeth. Further it would remove any food particles stuck in your teeth causing pain/discomfort.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
If you have an infected tooth, then hydrogen peroxide solution is the best remedy. Infection in your mouth can be easily identified with bad smell, foul taste and mild fever. It is imperative to check with your dentist promptly if you suspect any infection. But until you can get treatment you can rinse your mouth with 3% of hydrogen peroxide solution which helps in clearing off any germs.
3. Ginger Cayenne Paste
Take powdered ginger and cayenne and add few drops of water to make a paste. Now apply this paste on the tooth for few minutes and rinse thoroughly with plain water. Both the spices are effective for managing toothache.
4. Ice Cubes and Cold Compress
If your tooth has swollen or developed inflammation, you can try this remedy. Ice cubes can be wrapped in a soft cloth and applied on the swollen mouth for few minutes. Ice can create numbness in the area by blocking the nerve signals that carries pain. Cold compress can also produce the same effect in numbing the pain.
5. Clove and Clove Oil
Applying clove on the affected area of the tooth has been debated by many people and banned by dentists. Take few drops of clove oil and dip a soft cotton ball on it and gently place it on the affected tooth. Clove has the property of numbing the nerve that indicates pain.
6. Anesthetics
OTC anesthetics like benzocaine or other pain relieving gel can be applied on the affected tooth to get quick relief from pain.
7. Oil Pulling
Pour little of sesame oil into your mouth and rinse it for at least 3 minutes or until the oil becomes less shiny before spitting it.
8. Peppermint Tea
Add one tsp of peppermint (dried) leaves in a cup of boiling water. Leave it for few minutes. When it becomes warm, swish this tea in your mouth for a minute and spit it out. Alternatively you can apply warm peppermint tea bag on the affected side of the mouth for few minutes to get relief from pain.
9. Myrrh Oil
Myrrh oil is an excellent astringent and antimicrobial for toothache. It also helps in reducing inflammation. Gargle few drops of this oil for few minutes to get some relief from infectious pain. In case you don’t have its oil, you can prepare its decoction by boiling 1 tsp of myrrh in water and rinsing this solution for a while.
10. Acupressure
This is a kind of simple remedy for toothache. All you have to do is press the painful side of the tooth with your thumb and hold it firmly for few seconds to apply pressure. The applied pressure can induce secretion of endorphins which is a kind of relaxing hormone that makes you forget the pain.
Tips For Prevention :
- Toothache is largely formed due to wrong brushing techniques and poor dental hygiene. You can get cavities in your mouth which becomes a dwelling place for bacteria and other organisms.
- You need to use the right brush and give firm circular motion while brushing your teeth. Brush your teeth twice daily and remember to use antimicrobial rinse before going to bed. This helps you to fight tooth decay and infection.
- Avoid eating candies and any kind of sweets. Any sweet you put into your mouth is going to increase tooth decay.
- Last but not the least, go for regular dental checkups.