Toothache is very uncomfortable and annoying pain and it can also include a headache, fever, swelling around the tooth, throbbing, sharp or constant pain.
Cavities are the main cause for a toothache, but there are other reasons for it like:
- A damaged filling
- Infected gums/ Gum disease
- Repetitive motions, such as chewing hard foods or grinding teeth
- An abnormal bite
- Tooth decay
- Abscessed tooth
- Tooth fracture
- Tooth eruption ( in small children)
Nowadays people always use various medications in order to treat a toothache, but before medicine was developed, the toothache was treated with natural remedies.
These natural remedies have proven to be very efficient in treating toothache and they will offer relief without even going to the dentist.
Here are the 12 best natural remedies for toothache:
1. Essential Oils
One study was conducted in 2014 and the results showed that the rinses with essential oil are as effective in inhibiting plaque as the medications are. When the effects of essential oils and amine fluoride/stannous fluoride were compared, the results showed that they both had the same efficiency in inhibiting the plaque.
One the other hand, using essential oil has no side-effect while chlorhexidine can lead to stains on your teeth if used for longer period of time. Essential oisl also have antimicrobial properties in the fight with subgingival periopathogens.
The best essential oils for this treatment are spearmint, cinnamon, myrrh, peppermint, tea tree oil and clove essential oil.
2. Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is also very powerful in treating oral pathogens due to its strong antiseptic properties. To prepare this tea, steep 1 teaspoon of peppermint leaves for 15-20 minutes, to offer you a relief in case of toothache and it is also helpful in case of bad breath.
3. Clove Oil
Clove oil is abundant in eugenol, which possesses potent anesthetic and antiseptic properties and has the power to eliminate germs and soothe gum pain. It has been scientifically proven that clove oil has the same efficiency in treating pain as benzocaine.
Just mix 1 teaspoon of coconut oil with several drops of clove oil and put the mixture on the affected area using a cotton ball. When the pain is gone, take out the cotton ball and then wash the mouth with water. Another option is to chew several cloves with the painful teeth.
4. Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is also very beneficial in treating toothache due to its alcohol content which numbs the pain and the scent can calm down the anxiety caused by the toothache. So it is recommended to apply some vanilla extract on the affected tooth 2 times a day to reduce the pain.
5. Turmeric Paste
To prepare this paste use 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, few drops of peppermint oil and 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder. Apply the paste on your toothbrush and brush your teeth. Leave the paste to act for several minutes then was your mouth.
Due to its powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties it is very beneficial in reducing tooth stains, gum redness, irritation and bad breath.
6. Ginger Cayenne Paste
Prepare a paste using ginger and cayenne and then add a little bit of water. Take a cotton ball and put the paste on the painful are, let it act some time in order to control the bleeding, treat the infection and reduce the swelling and the pain.
7. Salt Water Gargle
Make a solution of 1 cup of boiling water and 1 teaspoon of salt. When it gets cooled, gargle for 30 seconds. This is very beneficial in reducing the swelling, eliminating debris and easing infections and pain.
8. Myrrh
Myrrh rinse is also very powerful in eliminating the bacteria and it can reduce the inflammation due to its astringent properties. All you need to make your own myrrh rinse is to boil 2 cups of water and add 1 teaspoon of myrrh, and let it simmer. After it is cold, you can apply it a few times a day.
9. Raw garlic
Garlic is commonly known for its benefits in eliminating viruses, bacteria and fungi. First crush one clove of garlic, and let it for several minutes in order for the compounds to be activated, then put some salt on it and put it on the painful area. It is also beneficial to use the painful tooth to chew garlic clove a few times a day.
10. Ice
You can also put cold or ice compress on your cheek in order to reduce the swelling and the pain befor you visit the dentist.
11. Chewing gum
When a tooth gets broken, there is an empty filling around it which is very painful and irritated. You can reduce the pain, by chewing a gum on the painless side and stick it on the affected tooth.
12. Acupressure
You can use acupressure to relieve the pain, by pressing the hand on the affected side for a few minutes, the area there the thumb and the index finger meet. This promotes the release of endorphins.