A toothache (also termed dental pain, odontalgia, or odontogenic pain), is any pain or soreness within or around a tooth or the jaw. The most common cause of toothache is tooth decay, dental trauma (e.g. a crack or fracture), or a filling with an imperfect seal. If you have toothache, it is best to seek immediate advice from a dentist before the problem becomes worse. Unfortunately, for many people this is easier said than done. However, you can try some home remedies for toothache to relieve the pain. Keep reading to learn more.
Salt Water
This is one of the simplest toothache remedies. Salt has many healing properties, especially sea salt. Mix a heaping tablespoon full of salt in a small glass of warm water and rinse for up to 30 seconds before you spit it out. This mouthwash will fight bacteria that cause infection and reduce swelling on the gums. Repeat several times daily until the pain subsides.
Clove
No home remedy is better for toothaches than cloves or clove oil. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant and anesthetic properties that help alleviate tooth pain and fight infection. Take one or a few whole cloves and suck or chew on them in your mouth near the aching tooth. You can also soak a cotton ball with a few drops of clove oil and place this on the affected tooth or inside the tooth cavity for instant pain relief. Alternatively, you can mix a few drops of clove oil in half a glass of water and use it as a mouth rinse. Note: children, pregnant or nursing women, and people with diabetes, kidney or liver disease or bleeding disorders should avoid taking clove oil.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the most popular and widely used of all remedies in the treatment of dental diseases. Garlic contains a very powerful natural antibiotic called allicin, which exhibits antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. If you prefer, you can chew one or two cloves of garlic to get relief. Or you can make a garlic mouthwash by smashing 6 or 8 cloves and mixing with 1/2 cup of water.
Cold Compress
Applying a cold compress to your jaw should alleviate a toothache. The cold reduces blood flow to the site and therefore reduces swelling and pain. Do not apply the ice directly to the tooth. This will increase the pain. If your toothache does not respond to cold compresses, or if the pain becomes worse, try using a warm compress instead.
Alcohol
This time-worn home remedy eases the pain of a toothache, but it probably won’t cure it. Alcohol kills bacteria and helps numbs the pain when absorbed by your gums. The main way to use the alcohol is by dabbing vodka, whiskey or brandy on both sides of the bad tooth using your finger. You can also use them as a mouthwash.
Note:
Good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent a toothache. Proper cleaning of the teeth is essential to prevent tooth decay and consequent toothaches. The American Dental Association recommends you brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing in circular motion ensures that all the dental surfaces are cleaned. If you do not get relief from your toothache after trying these remedies, consult a dentist immediately. Your doctor may need to be involved with the diagnosis, because toothache can also be a sign of heart attack, ear infections, and sinusitis.
