Natural Toothache Remedies

By Gena Schultheis, DDS

Maryland Holistic Dentistry

. https://marylandholisticdentistryannapolis.com

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Natural Toothache Remedies

Here is a list of some things you can do at home to take care of a broken or painful tooth, or infected or painful gums, until you can get in to see your dental team.

Clove Oil To the Rescue

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 (dilute with coconut or olive oil if this is the first time you've used clove) and place it against the tooth itself until the pain recedes.

Make a 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 (the concoction is likely to burn).

You can also try these spices separately, as both are potent painkillers. The main chemical component of cayenne-capsaicin-has been found to help block pain messages from reaching the brain.

Swish some salt water

A teaspoon of salt dissolved in a cup of boiling water makes a pain-killingmouthwash, 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. Repeat this treatment as often as needed.

Soothe With Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea has a nice flavor and some numbing power. Put one teaspoon dried peppermint leaves in one cup boiling water and steep for 20 minutes. After the tea cools, swish it around in your mouth, then spit it out or swallow, if you don't have loose leaf tea use a warm tea bag.

Rinse With Hydrogen Peroxide

To help kill bacteria and relieve some discomfort, swish with a mouthful of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (food grade preferably). This can provide temporary relief if the toothache is accompanied by fever and a foul taste in the mouth (both are signs of infection). A hydrogen peroxide solution is only for rinsing. Spit it out, then rinse several times with plain water.

Ice It

Place a small ice cube in a plastic bag, wrap a thin cloth around the bag, and apply it to the aching tooth for about 15 minutes to numb the nerves. Alternatively, that ice pack can go on your cheek, over the painful tooth.

Cover a Crack With Gum

If you've broken a tooth or have lost a filling, you can relieve some pain by covering the exposed area with softened chewing gum.

This might work with a loose filling, too, to hold it in place until you can get to the dentist. To avoid further discomfort, avoid chewing anything with that tooth until you can have it repaired.

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 one teaspoon of powdered myrrh in two cups water for 30 minutes. Strain and let cool. Rinse with one teaspoon of the solution in a half-cup water 5-6 times a day.

Vanilla Extract and Coconut Oil Mouthwash

Take tsp cocunut oil and two drops vanilla extract and swish, repeat three times daily and teeth that are sensitive to cold should feel better in a few days. Continue with just the coconut oil daily for 15 minutes for whiter teeth.