A toothache sends you running to the dentist, regardless of your gender or age. And, you may feel it occurs more frequently at night, on weekends, or during holidays, when dental clinics are closed. The last thing you want to hear when you are in agony is that you will have to wait a day or two before seeing a dentist. You know the wait will be agonizing, and you won’t want to eat or talk to anyone during that time. The only thing you will want is for the pain to go away. The most efficient way to deal with a toothache is to use home remedies. However, keep in mind that these toothache home remedies do not treat the underlying problem. They only provide temporary respite from the discomfort. Check the best home remedies for a toothache below!
Home Remedies For Toothache Pain Relief
There are many toothache home remedies that make use of common ingredients found in most homes. You can use these ingredients to get relief from the debilitating tooth pain you are experiencing. However, be sure to visit a dentist to find out the cause of the pain and get treated for it as soon as possible.
1. Clove Oil For Tooth Ache Relief
1-2 drops clove oil You can apply this oil three to four times a day. Cloves have been used for centuries in Eastern medicine to provide quick relief from a toothache. After a couple of minutes of applying the oil, you will notice your tooth pain diminishing. This is because of a key component of clove oil called eugenol that diminishes pain (1). Be prepared for a little pungency as cloves are a pungent spice. Inform your doctor if you use this medicament as eugenol can interfere with the bonding properties of some dental materials.
2. Vanilla Extract For Tooth Ache Relief
2-3 drops vanilla extract Cotton swab
Apply the liquid directly on the affected tooth using a cotton swab. Repeat as and when required. If you want instant relief, this is the toothache home remedy that you should be using. Vanilla extract has antiseptic and analgesic properties that will relieve a toothache quickly (2).
3. Tea Bag For Tooth Ache
A tea bag Water
If your tooth is not sensitive to cold, place the tea bag in ice water for some time before applying it. Apply this once or twice a day, as required. The tannins from the tea will help reduce swelling and also provide relief from the pain (3). Tannins can also help blood clot, if bleeding after an extraction is a concern.
4. Baking Soda To Prevent Tooth Ache
Baking soda Water Cotton ball
You can also mix a heaped teaspoon of baking soda in a little bit of warm water. Dissolve the powder and use this liquid as a mouth rinse. It will work the same way. Apply this on the tooth twice or thrice till you get relief from the toothache. It is amazing how many uses baking soda has! It has anti-inflammatory properties that will relieve any swelling (4). Its antibacterial nature will also help in treating any tooth or gum infection that may be causing the pain (5).
5. Hydrogen Peroxide To Prevent Tooth Ache
3% hydrogen peroxide Repeat this when required. This mouthwash will ease the infection and also the discomfort. Usually, this home remedy for toothache is suited for an infected tooth that causes a foul taste in your mouth as well as fever (6). This, like all home remedies, is a temporary treatment for toothache.
6. Oregano Oil For Tooth Ache
Oregano oil Q-tip
Using the Q-tip, apply the oregano oil directly on the tooth with the pain. You can reapply after a few hours if the pain persists. Oregano oil not only kills the bacteria causing the pain, but it also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that will reduce the pain and swelling. Carvacrol is the component that is responsible for this (7, 8).
7. Oil Pulling For Tooth Pain
1-2 tablespoons coconut oil Warm water Toothbrush Toothpaste
Do this twice a day till you get relief from the toothache. Also called as the oil swishing therapy, this technique has been used for ages to treat tooth infections, bleeding gums, gingivitis, and other oral problems. Coconut oil contains a high amount of lauric acid that has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, making this an effective solution for toothache relief (9).
8. Whiskey For Tooth Ache
Whiskey (or brandy) Cotton ball
Keep replacing the cotton ball until you can visit a dentist. This home remedy for toothache also has been around for quite some time. This will provide temporary relief from the pain.
9. Ginger For Tooth Ache
A small piece of ginger root 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Water Cotton ball
Repeat the above steps as and when required. This toothache home remedy will provide relief from the pain immediately and treat the toothache for good. Ginger has the ability to decrease any swelling and inflammation and also reduce the pain (10). Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which is extensively used for pain management (11). Be sure to keep the cotton away from your gums as it can cause irritation.
10. Olive Oil For Tooth Ache
Virgin olive oil Cotton ball
Dip the cotton ball in the oil and apply this on the affected tooth. Repeat this twice or thrice a day to stop toothache. Virgin olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties due to its phenolic compounds content. It reduces the toothache inflammation and provides relief (12).
11. Onion For Tooth Pain Relief
A small piece of raw onion Repeat this twice a day. In all likelihood, you will not care that your mouth is reeking of onions if it can alleviate the throbbing pain from your tooth. Onion will not only ease the pain, but will also kill the germs that are causing the pain (13).
12. Warm Salt Water To Get Rid of Tooth Ache
A glass of warm water 1 teaspoon salt
Dissolve the salt in the warm water and rinse your mouth with this. Repeat this three to four times a day. Warm salt water will help the swelling and also kill bacteria in your mouth (14).
13. Garlic Clove For Tooth Ache Relief
A clove of garlic 1 teaspoon rock salt
You can repeat this twice a day. Garlic has so many medicinal properties, so it is not surprising that it is also effective against toothache. It contains allicin, which is a strong antimicrobial agent. It will kill the infection that might be causing the pain. Also, garlic helps to ease the toothache (15).
14. Cinnamon To Prevent Tooth Ache
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder 5 teaspoons honey
Repeat this twice or thrice a day, or until the toothache disappears. Cinnamon, along with honey, can provide relief from an excruciating tooth pain. Apart from being a major spice, cinnamon also possesses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties (16). Honey soothes the gums around the affected tooth and also has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties (17).
15. Peppermint Tea For Tooth Pain
1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves A cup of boiling water
Repeat the rinsing till it brings relief. Peppermint tea has the ability to numb the affected part of your mouth. Its menthol content renders a cooling effect on your gums and teeth. It relieves irritation and inflammation as well (18).
16. Black Seed Oil For Tooth Ache
Black seed oil Q-tip
Repeat this twice a day, ideally. Black seed oil is a herbal oil that is being looked into a lot recently for its benefits, especially for oral problems. It promotes wound healing, has antimicrobial properties, and also alleviates the pain and swelling seen in a severe toothache (19).
17. Asafetida For Tooth Ache
A pinch of asafetida powder 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Cotton ball
Repeat after a few hours, if required. This home remedy for toothache alleviates pain almost instantaneously, and is recommended if the toothache is caused due to a cavity. It also has antiviral and antifungal properties (20).
18. Guava Leaves To Get Rid Of Tooth Ache
4-5 guava leaves 1/2-1 teaspoon salt Water
Do this twice a day. This will ease the pain and also reduce the swelling (21). In case you cannot find guava leaves, you can also use fresh spinach as a substitute. These are the best home remedies for toothache treatment. Let us also look at the causes, symptoms, and other common questions that people have when it comes to toothache.
What Are The Causes & Symptoms Of Toothache?
The main cause of toothache is cavity or decay. When you consume a diet rich in sugar and refined carbohydrates, the sugar is broken down in the mouth by bacteria, releasing acids that eat into the enamel. As a result, the enamel gets eroded, and prolonged erosion results in dental decay. Other causes include tooth abscess, tooth fracture, gum inflammation, earache, jaw or mouth injury, sinusitis, and heartache (22).
Symptoms of toothache include:
Pain in and around the tooth – can be sharp, constant, or throbbing pain Swelling in the area around the tooth Fever Headache Drainage from the infected tooth that tastes really bad (23)
What should I do if my tooth starts to bleed?
It is actually not your tooth but your gums that bleed. If this happens, double check any changes that you have made in your oral care routine that could be causing the bleeding. It could be a new toothbrush that is too hard or a new toothpaste that hasn’t suited your gums. Soak a small gauze piece in cold water (or warm water if your teeth are sensitive to cold), wring out the excess, and place on the area that’s bleeding. Do not put too much pressure. The bleeding should stop within a few minutes. If it doesn’t, there might be a more problematic issue at hand like gingivitis or periodontitis. Consulting your dentist is advisable in such a case. You can use a moist teabag to stop bleeding as well. Bleeding is the first sign of inflammation in the gums. Toothache can be avoided by maintaining good oral hygiene. This means brushing your teeth twice a day and also flossing after meals. Besides oral hygiene, your diet plays an important role in the health of your teeth and gums. Limit your intake of sugary food and focus more on eating raw veggies and fruits that stimulate saliva production to cleanse bacteria from your mouth. Also, fruits, like strawberries and apples, are good for your teeth. When is a toothache an emergency? • Immediate medical attention is needed under the following circumstances: • Swelling has spread to the jaw and/or mouth • Chest pain • Lightheadedness • Shortness of breath • Wheezing • Coughing up blood What to avoid when a tooth aches? • Keep the following in mind when you suffer from a toothache. • Limit high sugar foods as these act as a food source for the bacteria that may be causing the toothache. • Avoid really hot or really cold drinks. • Do not apply direct heat to the affected area. • Do not apply painkiller creams or gels on the infected gum as this may cause chemical burns. Can you get a fever from a toothache? Yes! Fever is one of the symptoms that is usually seen along with a toothache. This is usually the case when the toothache is due to an infection. Can a toothache cause an earache? Yes! Like fever, earache can be an added symptom when experiencing toothache, especially in the upper jaw. The nerves carry pain from the tooth to the ear on the same side of the face. Can a cavity cause tooth pain? A dental cavity is the most common cause of toothache. The infection sensitizes your nerves and causes to experience sharp or constant pain in the tooth. This pain can also be experienced in the gum area. What is the pressure point for toothache? The most widely used pressure point for toothache is the Small Intestine 18 (SI18) pressure point. It is located beneath the cheekbone, lying perpendicular to the outside of the eye. How can I sleep with a toothache? Take an over-the-counter painkiller and sleep with your head elevated to gain some relief from toothache. How long can a toothache last? A toothache caused by a cavity or infection may last beyond 48 hours and until it is treated. Is heat or ice better for tooth pain? Anecdotal evidence suggests that ice chips and cold water in the mouth help relieve toothache. Can Vicks help with toothache? Anecdotal evidence suggests that applying Vicks Vaporub on the outside of the cheeks can alleviate the pain temporarily.
