If you are experiencing any form of oral pain due to toothache, there are a variety of home remedies for toothache you can try in order to alleviate the pain.
First, it is important to figure out the cause of your discomfort – it could be a cavity, loose filling, the emergence of a wisdom tooth or simply some food wedged between your teeth. A good place to start is by making a saltwater solution using half a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a cup of warm water. By using this natural disinfectant as a mouthwash, it can help loosen any food particles stuck in between your teeth. It can also reduce inflammation.
If you don’t have any pain medication on hand, you can try the following natural home remedies for a toothache:
Note that more serious toothaches may require medical intervention if the pain does not ease after a prolonged period of time. Even after using home remedies for toothache.
- Oil pulling: Swish 1 – 2 tablespoons of coconut around your mouth – without ingesting – for about 20 minutes while going about a task such as tidying your bedroom or bathroom. Spit the oil into a trash can and rinse your mouth with warm water. Follow up with brushing your teeth as usual. Coconut oil contains natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties which can help treat tooth pain.
- Baking soda: Dissolve a heaped teaspoon of baking soda in a bit of warm water. Saturate a cotton ball with the mixture and place against the affected tooth twice a day to alleviate tooth pain on a short-term basis. Baking soda has natural anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce swelling.
- Ginger: Since ginger has the natural ability to reduce inflammation and swelling, applying a paste made of ginger root to the affected tooth can help alleviate some pain. Alternatively, you could chew a fresh piece or either of the above ingredients.
- Clove: Used as a home remedy to treat toothaches throughout history, clove essential oil can be used to numb tooth pain and reduce inflammation. It also contains eugenol – a natural antiseptic. Simply dab a small amount of clove essential oil onto a cotton ball and apply to the affected area. You can also dilute the clove oil with a carrier, such as olive oil or water if you are not a fan of the intense taste. Alternatively, add a couple drops of clove oil into a small glass of water to make a mouthwash.
- Peppermint Teabags: A natural numbing effect can be achieved by placing a used peppermint teabag (slightly cooled but still warm) onto the affected area. This approach can also help soothe sensitive gums. If you find that the warmth is uncomfortable, you can also switch things up and put the teabag in the freezer for a few minutes to chill.