8 Home Remedies for Tooth Pain and When to Use Them
Tooth pain? Try these tips for dealing with a toothache.
You never truly know how far your home is from the nearest dental office until you have a 3 AM toothache. The distance can feel like the length of an ocean and the unforgiving pain almost unbearable. So if you’re reading this, awakened by unrelenting tooth pain and looking for a quick fix before you see your dentist, we’ve got you covered. Let’s start with the easiest home remedy...
Try icing it
Icing the painful mouth area is by far the most common home remedy to relieve toothache. But why does icing the mouth work so well? For one, cold temperatures make blood vessels constrict, which makes the pain less severe. For another, ice is highly effective at reducing any swelling and inflammation. So if you ever injure your mouth, wrap some ice cubes in a towel and hold the cold compress to the affected area while you wait for your dental appointment.
Use over-the-counter tooth pain medications
Yes, this may be a list of home remedies for tooth pain but one handy tool we can’t let go to waste is the items in our medicine cabinets. You’ve probably had a toothache at one time or another and had your dentist prescribe an anti-inflammatory like Tylenol, Aspirin, or Advil. These over-the-counter medications can also help relieve wisdom tooth pain too. The ADA actually recommends dentists use them rather than antibiotics when trying to manage pain. When patients get any oral infections, the latter group of medications can then be more effective in fighting it off.
Make a salt-water rinse
Is your mouth sore because of a gum abscess? A salt water rinse may just be the home remedy you need before your dental appointment. Salt is a natural disinfectant. Mixing it with water and swishing it in your mouth a few times a day can help draw out an abscess and eliminate harmful mouth bacteria. But this shouldn’t replace a dental visit. The infection in an abscessed tooth can quickly spread to the jaw, neck, and even brain when left untreated, so be sure to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Use clove oil
Another natural antiseptic, clove oil, can also help provide relief from the pain of a cavity. You can add two or three drops of the oil to a glass of water and use the solution as a mouthwash. Alternatively, you can use a cotton swab and apply the clove oil directly to the affected area. The numbing effect is almost instantaneous and will last a couple of hours — just enough time for you to visit your nearest dentist.
Drink peppermint tea
Our list of home remedies for tooth pain would be incomplete without the number one ingredient in almost every mouthwash and toothpaste — peppermint. If you have swollen gums, a painful dental crown, an impacted wisdom tooth, or just had a tooth extracted, try steeping a peppermint tea bag in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes and then drink the tea. The antioxidants in peppermint will help reduce any swelling, promote healing, and may even stop any bleeding.
Gargle a hydrogen peroxide solution
Hydrogen peroxide, a powerful disinfectant, is often helpful in fighting mouth infections like canker sores. But that’s not all. Hydrogen peroxide can also slow down plaque build-up, soothe a painful dental crown, and heal bleeding gums. To use this home remedy solution for tooth pain, you’ll need to mix one part of a three percent hydrogen peroxide solution with two parts water. Gargle the mixture for around 15 to 30 seconds and then spit it out — do not swallow! If you notice any redness or irritation that doesn’t go away or you start feeling dizzy and nauseous, call your doctor immediately. You may have used too much hydrogen peroxide which can cause internal bleeding when ingested.
Chew garlic
Garlic is a natural anesthetic, which makes it a great home remedy for tooth pain relief. All you have to do is cut a small clove of garlic, place it on the affected tooth, gently bite down and start chewing. Though you’ll probably end up with garlic breath, chewing a clove might be worth a shot for unrelenting middle-of-the-night toothaches before your dental office opens.
Try a home-made guava mouthwash
Known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, guava leaves can soothe an aching tooth, slow down plaque build-up, and reduce gum inflammation. To use this home remedy, add four to six crushed guava leaves to a cup of boiling water. Let it simmer for fifteen to twenty minutes and allow the mixture to cool. Then, swish the solution around in your mouth but don’t swallow. Repeat this twice a day. The guava mouthwash will help create a soothing sensation and relieve some of the pain from your aching tooth.
Schedule an appointment with us and enjoy great savings
The home remedies on our list only offer temporary relief. They’re a great way to alleviate pain while you wait to see the dentist, but they’re not a long-term solution. For that, you’ll need to request an appointment with us so Dr. Monroe can examine the tooth and its surrounding areas to determine the reason for the pain. Alternatively, you can take advantage of our Smile Savings Plan and visit our Greenville SC dental office for regular cleanings and dental checkups to reduce the risk of tooth pain. Enjoy great savings and let us take care of all your dental needs.