Home Remedies for Toothache

Toothache is a common symptom of dental diseases. Mostly, cavities or tooth decay is a common cause. Cavities occur due to the presence of bacteria inside the mouth that feed on the starchy and sugary foods that stick to the gums and teeth. The bacteria produce enzymes that start damaging your teeth and in the end, it can cause a toothache and other dental issues such as cracked tooth, gum disease etc. Any infection caused by the bacteria that reaches the root might lead to a toothache. Tooth pain ranges from mild to severe. However, the pain can be short-lived when you take your dentist’s aid. In addition, natural home remedies have pain-relieving properties that can help soothe a toothache.

Natural Home Remedies for Toothache

Here are few natural home remedies that aid in relieving a toothache:

Clove Oil

Clove oil plays a vital role in soothing the nerves and this is a traditional remedy for treating a toothache. It contains a chemical compound called EUGENOL, which acts as a natural anaesthetic. However, you need to use this remedy carefully. Pouring clove oil on the painful tooth or on its area can actually worsen this condition if you are having it on the sensitive gum tissue.

How to Use

1. On a cotton ball, put two drops of clove oil and then place it on the aching tooth for few minutes until you sense relief.
2. Alternatively, you can put grounded clove powder instead of clove oil. You may even try chewing a whole clove. Firstly, chew a little so that oil is released. Put the clove in the place of pain for at least half an hour or until the pain starts receding.

Caution: Clove oil or grounded clove powder can cause severe pain after application if you are having an ache on the sensitive gum. So, be cautious while trying this remedy.

Salt Water

You can prepare a mouthwash by adding salt in a cup of hot water. This mouthwash can be used to swish around the mouth to get relief from a toothache. This mouthwash solution, when swished around the mouth, can cleanse the area around the infected tooth and even draws out the fluid that is responsible for the swelling.

How to Use

1. Add 5 grams of salt to around 50 ml of hot water.
2. Use this solution to swish around your mouth to clear off all the food particles or residue left inside the mouth after your meal.
3. Swish around for a minute before spitting out
4. This remedy helps in clearing off the irritating debris and even reduces inflammation or swelling.
5. Follow this remedy many times as possible until the pain subsides.

Caution: Don’t add too much salt to this solution. Also, don’t swallow it in while swishing. Make sure you do it correctly and spit out. Also, swish your mouth with clean water after following the procedure.

Ice

Ice cube, when applied on the aching area, can numb the nerves that cause pain. You can even massage your cheek over the paining tooth area with an ice cube to reduce the swelling.

How to Use

1. Place an ice cube in a cotton cloth and wrap it around.
2. Put it inside on the aching area for around 5-10 minutes to soothe the nerves.

Caution: This remedy has no side effects and you can follow it several times a day to get relieved from the A a toothache.

Cayenne Ginger Paste

Both the herbs ginger and cayenne help provide immense relief from an aching tooth. The medicinal properties of ginger and cayenne play a vital role in providing relief from the swelling as they act as natural painkillers. The capsaicin found in cayenne pepper is considered an effective ingredient for numbing the pain by blocking the pain signals from reaching the brain.

How to Use

1. Make a fine paste by adding equal proportions of cayenne and ginger in a blender.
2. Add a little water to the mix so that it blends well.
3. Now take a cotton ball and dip it in the mixture.
4. Put it over the aching tooth while avoiding the sensitive gum and the tongue.
5. Don’t take it off until the pain recedes.

Caution: This concoction creates a burning sensation. Hence, you need to be careful enough that you don’t apply it over the sensitive gum tissue or on the tongue.

Myrrh

Use myrrh tincture to rinse your mouth and alleviate a toothache. This tincture has astringent properties and helps treat inflammation and even aids in killing the bacteria in the mouth.

How to Use

1. In two cups of water, add 5 grams of myrrh tincture and simmer for half an hour.
2. Allow it to cool and strain this solution.
3. Rinse your mouth with 5 ml of this solution mixed with half a cup filled with water.
4. Follow this remedy six times a day until you see good results.

Caution: Myrrh should not be used by feeding mothers and pregnant women. It should not be given to children as well as it causes irritation in mucus membrane and eyes. There are no possible interactions with myrrh; however, it will be better to consult your doctor when you try this herbal remedy.

Peppermint

Peppermint tea has an amazing flavour and even has a numbing effect. Even peppermint oil can be used to numb the pain caused due to a toothache. The astringent properties in peppermint help reduce pain and swelling. The astringent tannins in the strong peppermint tea help soothe pain.

How to Use

1. Add 5 grams of dried peppermint leaves or a peppermint tea bag in a cup of hot water.
2. Allow it to boil.
3. Steep for 15 minutes and allow it to cool.
4. Use it to swish around the mouth. Spit it out.
5. You can even try placing a warm peppermint tea bag against the aching tooth to get an instant relief.

Peppermint oil and peppermint tea are considered possibly safe to treat a toothache.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar helps treat a toothache, thanks to its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The MALIC ACID and ACETIC ACID present in apple cider vinegar help in cleansing the affected region. All you need to do is swish it around the mouth. It is due to pectin in ACV that helps wash off toxins present inside the mouth. It helps in restoring the natural pH balance and aids in killing the bacteria present in the mouth.

How to Use

1. Dip a cotton ball in ACV solution.
2. Place it on your affected tooth and leave it for few minutes.
3. Follow this remedy at least three or four times for better results.

Caution: It is better to dilute it before using to place on the affected tooth, as it might cause burning sensation on the infected region and the sensitive gum tissue.