Ever wondered why toothaches happen mostly at night? It is such a hassle because your dentist may be fast asleep, and it’s such a drag to go to the nearest emergency dentist. This is the time when it is awesome to have a toothache remedy on hand, so you wouldn’t have to endure the pain during the wee hours of the night. There are also so many available natural or homemade toothache medicine recipes and instructions online, but which of them really works? Here are some of the tried-and-tested home remedies for toothache that you can try the next time your teeth hurt.
Saltwater rinse
Of all the home remedies for toothache, this one is the most effective, highly-publicised, and recommended. Even dentists regard this as a first-aid treatment. Water dislodges food debris that may cause the pain, while salt is a natural disinfectant. It also reduces the inflammation by drawing the fluid from the tissues of the affected area to reduce the pressure if you have an abscess.
How to use it: Combine half a teaspoon (tsp) of salt into a glass of warm water and swish it gently like a mouthwash.
Ice
Another way to reduce inflammation, a cold compress as a toothache remedy can help ease dental soreness, particularly if a toothache is due to an injury, trauma, or inflamed gums. The application of a cold treatment constricts the blood vessels, slowing the flow of blood to the affected area. This helps numb the pain and reduce swelling and inflammation.
How to use it: Try holding the ice pack or a bag of frozen peas, for example, against the outside of the cheek above the painful tooth for a few minutes at a time.
Garlic
The list of home remedies for toothache would not be complete without garlic. Outside dental medicine, garlic has been widely used for medicinal purposes through the years in history. It contains a compound called allicin, an oily liquid and natural disease fighter which accounts for its potent antibacterial properties. Will it reduce the pain? Well, it does not necessarily address the pain, but if the swelling subsides, the discomfort will reduce as well.
How to use it: Crush a clove of garlic, and mix some salt on the paste if you like. Apply it to the affected area of the mouth.
Clove
Don’t get confused; this is different from garlic cloves! This clove is a native spice that you can usually find in Indonesia. They contain eugenol, a chemical compound that acts as a natural anaesthetic. Home remedies for toothache that contain cloves also have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which can help fight tooth and gum infections.
How to use it: You can soak a cotton ball with clove oil and apply it to the area that aches.
You can also use dried cloves as a toothache remedy. You can either grind, crush, or gently chew a whole clove to release the oil, then hold it in place against the affected tooth for a few minutes until you feel its numbing effect.
Peppermint
Like cloves, peppermint has numbing properties that can soothe an aching tooth. From the family of mints and spearmint, peppermint contains menthol, a compound that gives it its minty flavour and smell. This compound has been known to reduce inflammation and has a soothing effect on tired muscles and all. It is also known to have antibacterial properties.
How to use it: You can use peppermint as a toothache remedy in the form of tea or oil. For peppermint tea, boil water and add one teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves and steep it for at least 20 minutes. Once cooled, swish the tea around in the mouth then spat out or swallowed. If you used a tea bag, you can set it aside and use it as a wet compress inside the mouth where your tooth hurts. It can directly lessen the swelling and redness.
For peppermint oil, soaking a cotton ball and placing it against the affected tooth as a temporary toothache remedy can be done.
Thyme
Mostly used for cooking, thyme is also known for its medicinal uses and is an effective remedy for chest infections, such as bronchitis or whooping cough. Thymol, the main component of the essential oil, has antiseptic and antifungal properties. But do you know that these effects can also be helpful for toothaches?
How to use it: One drop of thyme oil can be added to a glass of water to make a mouthwash. Like peppermint and clove, you can also dab a few amounts of thyme oil on a cotton ball and add water before applying it to the affected tooth.
Aloe Vera
Slice open a leaf of this succulent plant and you will find fresh and ready to use aloe vera gel. Home remedies for toothache have soothing properties, and aloe vera is known to have that, and more. This plant has long been used to heal burns and minor cuts. Some people now use the gel to clean and soothe gums. Although using it as a toothache remedy is a bit uncommon yet, there are some studies that show aloe vera has natural antibacterial qualities and can destroy germs that cause tooth decay.
How to use it: The gel as a toothache remedy should be applied to the painful area of the mouth and gently massaged.
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