Toothache is an unpleasant and annoying pain that can become really serious. The problem gets worse if you don’t have the opportunity to visit the dentist right away.
In this situation, you are then forced to ease your pain on your own. Luckily, there are home remedies that have proven themselves to be quite effective in managing toothache, so try one of the following out:
Cold compress
A cold compress can be very helpful, especially if the toothache is caused by trauma. It constricts blood vessels around the aching tooth, which lessens the pain but also reduces swelling and inflammation.
Simply wrap a bag of ice in a towel and hold it to the affected area for 20 minutes. You can repeat the process every few hours.
Teabag
Tannins present in the tea can reduce the swelling and ease the pain.
First, wet the teabag with some water, and then apply it on the affected tooth. In case the tooth is not too sensitive to cold, you can try dipping the teabag in ice water first. Repeat the process once more during the day.
Saltwater rinse
Saltwater can be very effective in treating toothache as it’s a natural disinfectant. It also loosens up food particles that may have stuck between the teeth, which can also be the source of pain. Saltwater also reduces the inflammation but it can also speed up healing of any other oral wound.
To use its benefits, mix half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and simply wash your mouth with it.
Garlic
Garlic has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years due to its strong ability to kill bacteria and relieve pain.
First, you need to crush a garlic clove until you make a paste out of it. Apply this paste to the affected area and consider adding a bit of salt to it. The alternative is to slowly chew a clove of garlic.
Baking soda
Baking soda has numerous uses but the ones important for toothache are that it has anti-inflammatory properties that lead to reduced swelling, as well as antibacterial ones that treat the infection that causes pain. Many of us know its whitening properties in case you don’t like the color of your teeth. However, like many renowned dental centers such as Terrigal Dental offer, it’s best to opt for professional treatments.
So, to ease the toothache, take a cotton ball and moisten it with water, then cover the ball with baking soda. Place the cotton ball on the affected area. Alternatively, mix a heaped teaspoon of baking soda with a bit of warm water until it dissolves, then use the liquid as a mouthwash. repeat the process two or three times until you start feeling relief.
Ice
Similar to a cold compress, the power of ice can be very helpful with a toothache.
Take some ice into your hand (right hand if the aching tooth is on that side, too, and vice versa). Rub the ice between your thumb and forefinger for about 7 minutes until the area goes numb. There have been researches pointing that ice stops pain signals to your brain, which will make you feel relieved.
Oregano oil
Oregano oil has anti-bacterial properties, as well as anti-inflammatory and analgesic ones. In other words, it will reduce the swelling and the pain, as well as kill the bacterias that lead to pain.
Take a q-tip and dip it into oregano oil, then apply the oil directly on the tooth using the q-tip. If the pain comes back, do it again in a few hours.
Vanilla extract
There is alcohol in vanilla extract, which can help you relieve the pain. As it also has anti-oxidant properties, it can effectively help the area heal.
Apply a small amount of vanilla extract onto your finger or a cotton ball, then apply it to the area that hurts. Do the same thing a couple of times throughout the day.
Whiskey/brandy
These types of alcoholic beverages are effective at managing tooth pain. Soak a cotton ball in one of the two and then apply the cotton ball onto your aching tooth. Keep replacing the cotton ball until you get the chance to see the dentist.
Final words
Home remedies for toothache have been proven themselves useful in the past – it may take a few attempts to see which one works best for you but they can be of great help when the pain starts.
