Young Woman with a Severe Toothache

Natural Solutions for Toothaches

There are few oral health conditions that are more troubling and uncomfortable than a toothache. In fact, most individuals find toothaches to be so disquieting that they are willing to do anything to get rid of them. Unfortunately, many of the over-the-counter products that claim to be able to resolve the pain of toothaches are filled with chemicals that cause undesirable side effects. However, there are some very workable natural solutions for toothaches that one can use at home to relieve their discomfort as safely as possible.

Tricks for Banishing Toothaches

If you are trying to resolve toothache pain, consider the following natural solutions:

  • Ice. Ice is often turned to as a natural pain reliever, simply because it can numb the entire region it is placed over. In order to handle toothache pain, place a towel over an ice pack and place the ice pack against the cheek directly over the painful area.
  • Salt water. As an antibacterial, salt is often used to handle issues in the mouth and throat. Gargling four to five times a day with about a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water can help to handle bacterial issues that may be contributing to toothache pain, thereby helping to reduce one’s pain.
  • Garlic. Crushed garlic cloves can be applied to the area around a toothache in order to provide some pain relief.
  • Lime. The citric acid in lime can help to control tooth decay as well as tooth pain. Biting on a lime can help to reduce the pain of a toothache.
  • Hydrogen peroxide. Make a solution that is equal parts water and 3% hydrogen peroxide, and thoroughly rinse your mouth after each meal, being careful to spit the rinsing solution out. This will serve to fight harmful oral bacteria, which is often the root cause of toothaches.
  • Ginger. If the skin of ginger root is removed and one bites down on it, they may find that it helps to relieve toothache pain.
  • Vodka. A small bit of vodka on a cotton ball can be applied to the area affected by a toothache, and it will usually soothe the area if the pain is caused by a small infection.
  • Potatoes. Potatoes can kill the harmful oral bacteria that causes a toothache. One can cut a slice of raw potato, apply a bit of salt, and hold it against the affected area for fifteen or twenty minutes to experience relief.
  • Onion. Like garlic, onions are also antibacterial. Chewing on fresh onion can release the antibacterial juices, which in turn helps to relieve toothache pain.
  • Pepper. Pepper and clove oil can be combined into a thick paste, which when applied to the area around a toothache can help to relieve the pain.
  • Vanilla extract. If one places a few drops of vanilla extract directly on the area of a toothache, it will often bring about instant pain relief.
  • Teabags. The antioxidants and tannins in tea can help to numb the area affected by a toothache.
  • Tea tree oil. A few drops of tea tree oil on a cotton ball can work to relieve toothache pain. It can also work to mix a few drops with lukewarm water and rinse the mouth with it, being careful not to swallow.

Of course, if you are experiencing a toothache this is a signal that something is amiss with your oral health, and it may only worsen with time if it is left unresolved. Natural toothache solutions may help one to reduce the pain caused by a toothache, but it cannot resolve the decay, infection or other oral health issue that is causing this pain. It is therefore essential that you contact your dentist as soon as possible, and schedule an appointment to have your oral health evaluated and any issues resolved. Natural toothache solutions can be used to temporarily relieve the discomfort while one waits to see the dentist.

For more information about the causes of and solutions for toothaches, contact Dr. Saferin today.