Tooth pain was as common before modern dentistry as it is now, but then people had no other option but rely on natural remedies to address their pain.
While modern medicine comes with its own options, natural remedies can help avoid the dentist and their solutions as long as used properly.
Tooth Pain Causes
Although cavities is believed to be the underlying cause of tooth pain, there are many other causes, too. Among them are:
- Repetitive motions, such as chewing hard foods or grinding teeth
- Infected gums/ Gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Tooth eruption ( in small children)
- An abnormal bite
- Abscessed tooth
- Tooth fracture
- A damaged filling
As for the symptoms, some of the most common include a sharp, throbbing or constant pain, fever, headache, and swelling around the teeth.
12 At Home Toothache Remedies
1. Clove Oil
Clove oil is packed with eugenol, a compound with potent antiseptic and anesthetic properties which is used in modern dentistry t kill germs and relieve gum pain. According to one study, eugenol is as effective as benzocaine in numbing pain.
Mix a teaspoon of coconut oil with a few drops of clove oil and apply the solution to the area of pain with a cotton ball. Remove the ball when the area is numb, and rinse the mouth well. Another option is to simply chew a few cloves using the affected side of the mouth.
2. Ginger Cayenne Paste
This paste helps reduce swelling, alleviate pain, fight off infection, and keep bleeding in check. To make it at home, mix ginger and cayenne in equal amounts along with a little bit of water. Soak a cotton ball in the formula and apply onto the affected tooth. Let it work as long as possible.
3. Salt Water Gargle
This solution is made of a teaspoon of salt and a cup of boiling water. It combats infection and alleviates throat pain. It also helps ease swelling and flush away debris. Allow to water to cool and swirl it around the mouth for half a minute.
4. Peppermint Tea
According to a 2013 study, peppermint oil is very effective antiseptic solution against oral pathogens. For optimal results, drink peppermint tea containing a teaspoon of peppermint leaves steeped for 15-20 minutes. This delicious tea will also alleviate bad headache and bad breath, both of which are typical side effects of tooth pain.
5. Myrrh
“Myrrh’s astringent properties help with inflammation, and a rinse can offer the added benefit of reducing bacteria,” writes RDH. For DIY myrrh rinse, simmer a teaspoon if myrrh in two cups of water. Allow it to cool and use a few times daily.
6. Raw Garlic
Garlic has the ability to combat fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Its active ingredient called allicin doesn’t respond quite well to health, so it is recommended to use raw garlic when using it for medicinal purposes.
Crush a garlic clove and let it sit for a few minutes to activate its compounds. Combine it with a bit of salt and apply onto the painful tooth. Another option is to chew the clove a few times daily using the affected tooth.
7. Vanilla Extract
Vanilla works in two separate ways: its scent acts as soothing agent to help fight off anxiety linked to a toothache, and its alcohol content acts as numbing agent. To use it to alleviate a toothache, dab vanilla extract on your finger and rub it onto the affected tooth. Repeat the procedure twice daily.
8. Turmeric Paste
This paste is packed with antiviral and antibacterial properties, which makes it able to fight bad breath, gum redness, irritation, and tooth stains. Mix a tablespoon of coconut oil, a teaspoon of turmeric powder and a few drops of peppermint oil. Brush your teeth with this paste just like you would do with a regular one. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
9. Chewing Gum
Losing a filling or breaking a tooth is extremely painful, particularly near the newly exposed area. In order to alleviate the pain, even temporarily, chew a gum on the opposite side of the mouth and apply the chewed gum onto the affected tooth.
10. Ice
Applying ice or a cold compress on the cheek on the painful tooth helps relieve pain and swelling prior undergoing any conventional treatment.
11. Acupressure
Simply apply pressure to the hand on the affected side, at the point where the base of the index finger and the thumb meet. Hold for a few minutes to release the pain-relieving endorphins.
12. Essential Oils
According to a 2014 study, “Essential oil rinses are found to be equally effective in inhibiting plaque. A study carried out by Pizzo et al. on plaque inhibitory effect of amine fluoride/stannous fluoride and essential oils showed no significant difference in efficacy of both. As chlorhexidine causes staining of teeth on long term use, essential oils can be used as an alternative to chlorhexidine rinse. Essential oils have shown to possess antimicrobial activity against subgingival periopathogens, too.”
It is recommended to use oils like cinnamon, clove, tea tree oil, spearmint, peppermint, and myrrh.
