I need a home remedy for tooth pain

A look at home remedies for tooth pain and how to get rid of a toothache

When your tooth hurts, you want relief as soon as possible. Scheduling a visit with your dentist won’t help you right away, but there are things you have in your home that might.

If you’re looking for a home remedy for tooth pain, there are many options available. Understanding what those options are and how they work will help you make the best decision.
 

Using home remedies for tooth pain

You should always use caution when trying home remedies, as they can have side effects that may actually make your symptoms worse. Some home remedies for toothaches are safe and can be used without concern:

Rinse with salt water – When you swish with salt water it cleans out any affected areas, removing debris and relieving pain. This is one of the safest things you can do for your teeth. To use a salt-water rinse: Mix a half-teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water. Swish the mixture in your mouth for thirty seconds and spit it out. Repeat.

Cold compress – Cold has a numbing effect, so cooling the area of your face that is hurting can bring relief. To use a cold compress: Wrap ice in a towel and apply to the painful area for roughly half an hour. Repeat this process every few hours.

Peppermint tea bags: Peppermint also has a numbing effect, and can be used to alleviate pain in your teeth. Used tea bags are best for this technique. To use peppermint tea bags for tooth pain: Place the used tea bag directly on tooth. For additional relief, you can place the tea bag in the freezer first.

Garlic – The antiseptic properties in garlic combats bacteria growth. This helps to reduce irritation, and relieve pain. Use caution, as this remedy can cause bad breath, and is generally not recommended for vampires. To use garlic for toothaches: You can chew a clove of garlic, or crush the clove and mix it with salt to make a paste. Apply the paste to the painful tooth.

Guava leaves – With anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, guava leaves can be used to treat infections. Using guava leaves on a toothache: You can chew the guava leaves directly, or boil them in water to make a mouthwash.

Wheatgrass juice – Similar to guava leaves, wheatgrass juice can relieve inflammation and fight bacteria. To use wheatgrass juice for your tooth pain: Use the wheatgrass juice as a mouthwash.

Thyme – Another common item with antibacterial and antioxidant properties, Thyme can be applied to a tooth to relieve pain. Using thyme for toothaches: Put a few drops of thyme and water on a cotton ball and apply to the tooth.

Onion – Simultaneously fighting bacteria and relieving pain, the juice in an onion can be used to help with a painful tooth. This method can have a very different effect on your social life. To use onion for tooth pain: Slice a bit of fresh onion and place it on the tooth for five minutes.

Turmeric – Antiseptic, analgesic and antibacterial, turmeric is something of a wonder spice as a toothache remedy. It can help fight infections in a tooth, providing relief from pain.  Using turmeric for tooth pain relief: Make a paste of the turmeric powder and water, then apply the paste directly to the painful tooth.

Other home remedies should be used with caution, as they can have negative side effects.

Whiskey or bourbon cotton swab – Alcohol has a short-term numbing effect, and it has a long history as a folk-remedy for tooth pain. Although this is sometimes suggested for teething babies, alcohol should never be given to children. Using bourbon to combat tooth pain: Pour a few drops of the bourbon on a cotton ball and apply to tooth.

Vanilla extract – The active ingredient in vanilla extract is alcohol, so it behaves like a weak version of bourbon or whiskey. As with any alcohol, you should not use this method for children. To use vanilla extract for tooth pain: Pour a few drops of the vanilla extract on a cotton ball and place it on your tooth.

Clove oil – There is a natural anesthetic called eugenol in clove oil, and it can numb the area around your hurting tooth. Despite this, clove oil can hurt the tongue or other sensitive areas, so you need to use it with caution. Applying clove oil to a painful tooth: Pour a few drops of the clove oil on a cotton ball and apply to the tooth. 

Hydrogen peroxide rinse – Hydrogen peroxide attacks bacteria, so it can help with gingivitis. Be careful using hydrogen peroxide, as swallowing it can damage your stomach and intestines, and too much can burn your mouth. To use hydrogen peroxide for your toothache: Mix equal amounts of water and 3% hydrogen peroxide, swish with the mixture and spit it out.
 

Finding the cause of your toothache

Regardless of how you choose to deal with it, tooth pain is an indication that something is wrong. Some common toothache causes include:

• Gum disease: Poor oral hygiene allows bacteria to build up on the teeth, leading to gingivitis and eventually periodontitis. If untreated, it can lead to infection and tooth loss. The early warning signs for this are often missed, but it can still be treated at later stages.
• Cavities: A cavity is a decayed portion of a tooth caused by bacterial damage. Normal treatment for a cavity is a filling.
• Inflamed dental pulp: Dental pulp is the soft interior part of the tooth, and when it becomes infected it can cause intense pain. Treatments can include fillings and root canals.
• Eroded tooth enamel: Caused by acidic foods and drink soda or fruit drinks, erosion of the tooth enamel exposes nerves, causing sensitivity. You can’t replace tooth enamel, so the best treatment is to try and strengthen your remaining enamel.

Good oral hygiene will help prevent toothaches, but there is no perfect defense.

A toothache will not just go away until you treat the causes. A home remedy for tooth pain will often alleviate the symptoms but do nothing to address the source of the pain. You should see a dentist when you experience tooth pain, to keep it from growing into a bigger problem.
 

Watching for heart problems

In some instances, tooth pain can be an indicator of a heart attack. If you have a toothache that is accompanied by these symptoms, get yourself to the ER!

• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Vomiting
• Stomach discomfort
• Upper body pain

Whatever you choose as your home remedy for tooth pain, you should watch for the problems described here, and get to your dentist to deal with the root causes. When you just need the answer to another dental question, the Experts on JustAnswer are more convenient and affordable than scheduling a visit with your dentist.

Do you have any other home remedies for tooth pain that work? Please share your experiences with us in the comments below.