A toothache is never a fun thing to suffer through. Throbbing pain can keep you up at night or spoil a special time with your family or keep you from doing your best work. For some reason, dentists are considered torturous, and going to see them for a toothache is the last thing most people want to do.
When a toothache strikes, there are a several things you can try at home before picking up the phone. If the pain persists for more than a day or two, please contact the dentist. In the meantime, try one of the following 7 home remedies.
1. Clove oil. Clove oil contains a natural pain killer, so dabbing a cotton ball in this essential oil and rubbing it on the sore tooth or place in your mouth may get you some temporary relief according to the Colgate Oral Care Center. Clove oil doesn’t treat the cause of the problem, though, so if the pain persists, see your dentist.
2. Onion. An antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, raw onions can be used to help with a toothache. Orajel says to cut a chunk of raw onion and chew on it on the sore side of your mouth. Once the pain begins to subside, spit the onion out. You may be able to take care of the problem completely with this, as the onion can help treat a bacterial problem.
3. Tea bags. Tea has tannin in it, a natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent. Medical News Today recommends using a tea bag to help fight infection and soothe the pain. Brew a cup of tea with a tea bag and place both the tea and tea bag in the refrigerator to cool. Once the bag is completely cold, place it in your mouth where the pain is located. The cold will also feel good.
4. Garlic. Garlic for a toothache is a novel idea, and one that is not a sure cure. It contains allicin which WebMD says has been proven to heal bad teeth in children, but there is no proof that it will take care of whatever is causing the problem with adults. If you want to try this, take a clove and chew on it on the side with the toothache.
5. Brush and floss. Often times, a toothache is caused by bad dental hygiene. Dentistry.com recommends brushing and flossing your teeth as the first step in trying to solve a toothache.
6. Take OTC painkiller. The novel may sound great, but the Mayo Clinic points out that sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. Taking an over-the-counter painkiller might be all that’s needed.
7. Salt water. The salt helps kill bacteria that could be creating an infection, so creating a solution of warm salt water and swishing it around in your mouth is simple, and most people have the ingredients for this at home. Orajel says to take a few teaspoons of salt and mix it in warm water to make your solution.
The next time a toothache strikes, strike back. Take stock of what you have at home that may allow you to defeat your toothache without seeing the dentist. Please be aware that a visit to the dentist may be the only way the problem will be solved, though. If the problem persists after one to two days, seek medical help.
Source: remedydaily.com