Find comfort without visiting the dentist or drug store. As anyone who has ever had a toothache knows, the pain is annoying at best and excruciating at worst. The dull throbbing paired with sharp stabs of pain makes it hard to work, eat, sleep, or enjoy just about anything.
Luckily, there are home remedies for toothaches that can help you alleviate the symptoms without resorting to over-the-counter drugs or an emergency trip to the dentist:
Find Relief Using Home Remedies for Toothaches
- Clove Oil: There is a natural anesthetic called eugenol, that is present in particularly high concentrations in clove oil. Place a few drops of the oil on a cotton ball, and place it on the affected tooth. Be careful, however, not to expose other parts of the mouth to the oil as they could become irritated.
- Peppermint Tea Bags: Peppermint has numbing properties that can stop the throbbing pain of a toothache. Take a wet, used tea bag and put it in the freezer for a few minutes. Then hold it directly next to the bad tooth for at least 20 minutes.
- Salt Water: Salt water is a form of natural disinfectant that can help to kill some of the bacteria causing your tooth pain. Mix up a solution, and swish it around your mouth for about 30 seconds.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: You will kill more of the bacteria around a toothache by using hydrogen peroxide, but the swishing experience is not particularly pleasant and ingesting the solution could make you sick to your stomach. If you opt for this treatment, mix equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water.
- Bourbon: Like most alcohols, bourbon has numbing properties. Soak a cotton ball and place it directly on the affected tooth. Do not, however, use this remedy for kids. Even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous.
- Garlic: There are natural antibiotic properties in garlic that can kill some of the bacteria making your tooth hurt. Mash a clove with a pinch of salt, and apply the paste directly to the tooth. Just be aware that your breath will be less than pleasant afterward.
- Vanilla: Almost all vanilla extract is made with alcohol, which has numbing properties. Plus, the scent is believed to be calming and relaxing. Place a few drops on your finger, and rub it on the tooth.
Turn a Toothache into a MyOrthodontist
The good news is that all of these home remedies for toothaches will provide you with some relief. The bad news is that the relief is temporary, and after a few minutes your tooth pain is likely to come roaring back.
The simple fact is that if you have a toothache you will need to see a doctor to explore more permanent treatment options. Instead of suffering any longer, make an appointment at the MyOrthodontist location closest to you.
