If you have a toothache and do not have immediate access to a dentist, you look for fast relief and fast-acting home remedies that you can easily access in your home kitchen and pantry.
Causes of Toothache:
- Tooth decay
- Damaged filling
- Tooth fracture
- Infected gums/Gum disease
- Abscessed tooth
Here are some signs that indicate oral problems/disease:
- General dental pain
- Toothaches/pain
- Bad breath
- Sensitive gums
- Oral wounds
- Swelling and inflammation
- Unusual red gums
- Fever
- Foul-tasting discharge
You can go for many options, and listed here are some dentist-recommended home remedies to provide temporary pain relief and comfort.
In a hurry?
Here’s how you can use peppermint tea to relieve a toothache:
Peppermint’s active ingredient: Menthol
Effects and Properties: Numbing effects and pain relievers; antimicrobial properties
How to use peppermint for toothaches:
- Use peppermint tea bags. Place a used tea bag in the freezer to chill it and then apply it to the affected tooth.
Option: Use warm tea bags instead, NOT hot, as it can cause further inflammation.
- Use as a gargle. Soak peppermint tea bag or loose peppermint leaves in hot water for 20 minutes. Cool it down to room temperature and use it as a gargle.
- Use peppermint oil. Add three to four drops of peppermint oil to the affected area.
10 Natural Remedies for Toothaches
Natural remedies offer short-term relief for pains and sores.
For toothaches causing pain and discomfort to where you cannot do anything, here are some practical ways to treat them temporarily:
1. Cold compress.
- Wrap a towel to the cold compress or ice pack, and press it gently in the affected area.
- If you do not have a cold compress, you can use frozen pea bags or ice cubes wrapped in towels. This constricts the blood vessels, lessening the pain.
- It also reduces inflammation and swelling.
2. Garlic.
Garlic has always been used as a natural remedy for toothache because of its antibacterial properties. It also acts as a pain reliever.
To use, crush a piece of garlic clove and apply it to the affected tooth.
3. Guava leaves.
Guava leaves have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- You can chew guava leaves or boil them in water to be used as a mouthwash.
- You can regularly chew guava leaves to avoid bacterial infections.
4. Vanilla extract.
Vanilla extract has antioxidant properties that help heal. The alcohol content helps in numbing pain.
- Simply put a small amount of vanilla extract in a cotton ball and apply it to the painful area a few times a day.
- Make sure that the vanilla extract that you will use is natural.
5. Saltwater rinse.
Salt is a natural disinfectant and can reduce inflammation and heal oral wounds.
After the saltwater rinse, you can drink a cup of warm water for a more soothing effect. It can also remove food particles stuck between your teeth and prevent plaque build-up.
- Mix half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and stir until dissolved.
- Rinse your mouth using the warm saltwater mixture.
6. Hydrogen peroxide rinse.
This helps relieve sharp pain and inflammation. It also reduces plaque and heals gum wounds.
- To use, mix 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to equal parts of water.
- Rinse using this hydrogen peroxide mix.
- Do not drink the mixture as it can cause stomach pain, throat irritation, and vomiting.
- If you accidentally swallow it, drink 1 cup of milk.
7. Clove.
Use clove oil when treating an aching tooth.
Clove oil can reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and is a natural antiseptic.
- To use, mix about 15 drops of clove oil to 1 oz sunflower oil.
- Put a few drops in a cotton ball and apply to the infected tooth.
- You can also use clove oil as mouthwash.
- Put 1 drop of clove oil in a small glass of water to create the mixture.
8. Thyme.
Thyme has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
- To use, mix thyme essential oil with sunflower oil before applying it to the painful tooth.
- Alternatively, you can also drop a few essential oils into the water and use them as a mouthwash.
- You can make a cup of tea with dried thyme leaves or chew some fresh ones.
- Just make sure to chew on the other side of your mouth and not on the painful side.
10. Baking soda.
It neutralizes acidity, thus helping eliminate bacteria build-up and swelling around the area of tooth pain.
Simply mix a small amount of baking soda with toothpaste and apply directly to the affected tooth.
Other Natural Remedies:
- tea tree oil
- chamomile tea
- coconut oil
- oregano oil
- apple cider vinegar
- wheatgrass
Make sure to elevate your head to decrease blood pressure in your head.
How to Use Peppermint Tea to Relieve Toothache:
Peppermint’s active ingredient is menthol. It has numbing effects and can aid in pain relief. It can also provide a pleasant sensation for sensitive gums.
Peppermint has antimicrobial properties and helps in preventing bacterial build-up.
Here’s how to use peppermint for toothaches:
1. Use peppermint tea bags. Place a used tea bag in the freezer to chill it and then apply it to the affected tooth.
You can also use it warm, but do not use it hot, as it can inflame your teeth and gums further.
Pepper can, however, stain your teeth, so make sure to always brush your teeth after using it to avoid staining.
2. Use it as a gargle. Soak peppermint tea bag or loose peppermint leaves in hot water for 20 minutes, and use as a gargle. Do not swallow.
3. Use peppermint oil. For peppermint oil, simply add three to four drops of the essential oil to the affected area.
PRECAUTIONS:
- Do not use it if you have allergic reactions to peppermint and menthol.
- Do not use it if you are diabetic, as it can cause hypoglycemia.
- Do not use it if you have a hiatus hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
- Do not use antacids.
FAQs
Is it ok to use a hot compress for a toothache?
While some say it is ok, it is generally not recommended to use a hot compress, as it can cause further inflammation.
How can I use cayenne pepper to relieve tooth pain?
Cayenne peppers have capsaicin that aids in pain relief. To use, mix ground pepper with water and apply to the affected area using a cotton swab.
Can I drink alcohol to numb my toothache?
Alcoholic drinks offer pain relief but do not drink them. The best way to use alcohol as pain relief is to soak a cotton ball in the alcohol and apply it to the affected area.
Can acupressure relieve toothache?
Some evidence suggests that you can use acupressure to relieve toothache, but you have to know those points to be effective.
Summary
It is essential to understand that home remedies are not permanent cures, but temporary treatments to relieve pain.
You must still set a dental appointment and get the proper procedure as needed. You can have a simple tooth extraction to root canal procedure to address your issues.
It is important to go to a dentist for the best results.
