Everyone has experienced tooth pain to some degree, but not everyone wants to visit the dentist for every little twinge of pain that flares up. Home remedies are a viable option for alleviating toothaches, but it is important to remember that nothing will be as effective as a trip to the dentist. This is especially true for cases in which the pain is caused by a serious issue that a temporary home remedy will only delay.
Home remedies can be used to temporarily reduce pain associated with tooth issues, but they will not provide long-term relief. In fact, many at-home remedies should only be considered solutions for tooth pain before an appointment with a reputable dentist office, like Lowry Dental in Boise, Idaho. We will be able to offer a feasible solution for your toothache problem.
If your dental appointment is days or even weeks away and you need instant relief, there are some effective home remedies that will make the pain much more tolerable. Below is a compiled list of the most effective home remedies for tooth pain along with explanations for the efficacy of each solution.
1. Peppermint Tea
This remedy has long been used to alleviate sensitivity on the skin, and it works just as well for tooth pain. After a peppermint teabag has been used to brew tea, it can then be used to help numb the pain of a toothache. The tea itself has compounds that act as a natural numbing agent, and while the effect is temporary, it is quite reliable. Be sure to allow the teabag to cool before you apply it to the affected tooth. It can be helpful to let the used teabag sit in the freezer for a few minutes before application. The bag should be left in place for at least 20 minutes to ensure maximum effectiveness. This remedy is entirely safe, but the pain can return soon after treatment.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
There is little direct evidence that rinsing with hydrogen peroxide can alleviate tooth pain, but it is widely known that hydrogen peroxide has powerful antibacterial properties. If tooth pain is caused by gingivitis or the build-up of pus or plaque, it is possible that rinsing with hydrogen peroxide could greatly reduce tooth pain. It is imperative that you mix the hydrogen peroxide with an equal volume of water before rinsing as pure hydrogen peroxide can damage your internal systems, including your teeth. Only rinse for about 30 seconds, and be careful not to ingest any of the solution. Due to the dangers of ingesting the solution, this remedy is often more dangerous than is warranted by its benefits.
3. Salt Water
There are many occurrences in which tooth pain can be treated with a salt water rinse. You might experience sensitivity after a restoration, or you might have an infection that you aren't aware of. In either case, a good rinsing with warm salt water can help drastically. Mix about a teaspoon of salt with a glass of water and rinse for 30-second intervals. The salt works to sterilize the infected area, and it also provides relief against tooth pain. There are no long-term benefits to swishing with salt water, but it is also one of the safest and most effective home remedies for tooth pain and general oral health maintenance. Be sure not to swallow any of the salt water while you are rinsing since the water will carry whatever was cleaned from the mouth, and salt water can also dehydrate your body.
4. Clove Oil
Clove oil, like many other herbal remedies, contains a compound called eugenol, which is a natural analgesic. That means it can numb anything it comes into contact with. By applying a few drops to a cotton ball, you can use the oil to alleviate tooth pain. While this method can be exceptionally effective, it is exceedingly temporary and will only last a few minutes at best. Clove oil also has the potential to exacerbate the pain since it can irritate skin inside the mouth. It also produces a burning sensation on the tongue. Clove oil is entirely natural, but in terms of it efficacy as a solution for toothaches, it should only be used as a last resort. Many anecdotal accounts claim that clove oil can be just as effective at reducing tooth pain as an OTC toothache treatment gel.
5. Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract might seem like a strange remedy for tooth pain, but the logic behind it is sound. Alcohol is a primary component of vanilla extract, and alcohol acts as a numbing agent. The combination of the alcohol and the vanilla scent is believed to be responsible for the pain-alleviating effects of the substance. It can be applied to the affected area using your fingertip or a cotton ball, and it should be applied at least twice a day. Some might find that twice a day is insufficient since the vanilla extract stops working after the alcohol has been absorbed or evaporated. This is one of the least safe methods for reducing tooth pain as well simply because of the fact that alcohol is harmful. This remedy should especially not be used on children.
6. Garlic
Garlic cloves contain a powerful antibacterial compound called allicin, and when the cloves are mashed, the substance is released. It will work to destroy the bacteria that might be causing tooth pain, but it might not have any effect on tooth pain caused by physical issues like chips or cavities. To use this remedy, you simply need to chew on a clove of garlic or two several times per day. You can also create a garlic paste that can be applied directly to the site of pain. If you don't notice any reduction in pain within the first few days, discontinue the practice and seek the help of a dental professional who can diagnose and treat your specific issue. Garlic is a safe and natural home remedy for tooth pain, but it does create problems with your breath.
7. Cold Compress
In many cases of tooth pain, there is also an element of swelling associated with the pain. If you can feel your face swelling as a result of tooth pain, try using an ice pack or other cold compress to reduce the swelling. The cold will also work to partially numb the pain at the source. Facial swelling can also be a sign of an abscess deep in the root system of your teeth, and those can be dangerous if left untreated. An abscess is basically an infection inside your gums, and it can lead to a fever and severe pain in the jaw. If you believe you may have an abscess, a cold compress is only the first step. The next step is to make an appointment with a qualified dentist. Swelling is always a symptom of a larger problem, so treating just the symptom will be insufficient in the long run.
8. Alcohol
As stated before, alcohol has numbing properties that have classically been used to help alleviate tooth pain, and certain spirits like bourbon offer decent relief against mouth pain. Many are probably familiar with the old remedy for a teething child in pain, which was to rub bourbon on their gums, and while this remedy should not be used on children in the modern world, its efficiency in adult patients is unquestionable. The pain relief is typically very temporary, but it is effective. The best way to ensure proper application is to soak a cotton ball in bourbon before wrapping it around the affected tooth. The cotton ball will act as a wick to keep the bourbon in place while it does its job. If you choose to use this home remedy, don't ignore the dangers of the alcohol.
9. Pressure Point Numbing
While researchers are still trying to figure out why this method works, there is little doubt that it is effective. This method involves using a piece of ice to numb a pressure point between your index finger and thumb. Simply rub a piece of ice on that spot on the hand that shares the side of the body where the painful tooth resides. It should take about seven or eight minutes to completely numb the area. It is believed that this location is a sort of 'nerve hub', and numbing it causes pain signals to be disrupted before they can reach the mind. This is why the same method is often used to alleviate other sources of pain, like headaches and body aches.
While this list does contain several legitimate options for temporarily alleviating toothaches, the real solution is to visit a dental professional regularly. It isn't always easy to get short-notice appointments, so if you're forced to live with tooth pain until the date of your appointment, these home remedies can certainly provide the relief you seek