Home Remedies for Toothache
Uhhhh! Toothache? Tolerating toothache is impossible for most of us. Toothache or tooth pain can often be caused when the nerve to a tooth is irritated, but there are numerous other causes for tooth pain. Dental infection, gum disease, plaque, dental decay, injury, cracked teeth, poorly placed fillings or crowns, failing or leaking fillings or crowns, or loss of a tooth (including tooth extractions), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and obstructive sleep apnea are all common causes of dental pain. One can prevent the majority of dental problems by flossing, brushing, and using many different products, such as xylitol- and fluoride-containing rinses and toothpaste, and having teeth professionally cleaned on a regular schedule. There are several home remedies that can help to overcome toothache.
Clove oil
Cloves are a traditional remedy for numbing nerves; the primary chemical compound of this spice is eugenol, a natural anesthetic. But clove oil needs to be used carefully. Pouring the oil on the aching area can actually worsen the pain if you get it on sensitive gum tissue or on your tongue. Instead, put two drops of clove oil on a cotton ball and place it against the tooth itself until the pain recedes. In a pinch, use a bit of powdered clove or place a whole clove on the tooth. Chew the whole clove a little to release its oil and keep it in place up to half an hour or until the pain subsides.
Ginger-cayenne paste
Mix equal parts of these two heat-packing spices with enough water to make a paste. Roll a small ball of cotton into enough paste to saturate it, then place it on your tooth while avoiding your gums and tongue. Leave it until the pain fades—or as long as you can stand it.
Salt water
A teaspoon of salt dissolved in a cup of boiling water makes a pain-killing mouthwash, which will clean away irritating debris and help reduce swelling. Swish it around for about 30 seconds before spitting it out. Salt water cleanses the area around the tooth and draws out some of the fluid that causes swelling.
Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea has a nice flavor and some numbing power. Put 1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves in 1 cup boiling water and steep for 20 minutes. After the tea cools, swish it around in your mouth, then spit it out or swallow.
Hydrogen peroxide
To help kill bacteria and relieve some discomfort, swish with a mouthful of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. This can provide temporary relief if the toothache is accompanied by fever and a foul taste in the mouth (both are signs of infection), but like other toothache remedies, it’s only a stopgap measure until you see your dentist.
Wash it with myrrh
You can also rinse with a tincture of myrrh. The astringent effects help with inflammation, and myrrh offers the added benefit of killing bacteria. Simmer 1 teaspoon of powdered myrrh in 2 cups water for 30 minutes. Strain and let cool. Rinse with 1 teaspoon of the solution in a half-cup water five to six times a day.
Acupressure
The most effective way to control toothache is to apply pressure on points that are located around your thumb nail. You will have to find which acupressure point is corresponding to your aching tooth. If the aching tooth is located in the lower jaw, then its corresponding acupressure point will be located near the end of the nail (i.e. edge of the finger). If on the other hand, the ache located on the upper jaw, then the fitting acupressure point will be located near the root of the nail, i.e. where it starts to grow.
References: http://www.rd.com/
Image sources Photo by H Shaw on Unsplash
Acupressure: http://alternativefelix.com/
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: September 4, 2015
« Everyday Hand Exercises to Ease Arthritis Pain Dark Circles around eyes and simple remedies »
Write a comment