Toothache ranks among the top reasons patients visit Dental O So Gentle and other dental practices. This common problem can appear for many different reasons, with pain that might last just minutes or persist throughout the day. The intensity varies widely too – some people experience mild discomfort while others face severe pain that can cause real distress.
At Dental O So Gentle, we understand that toothaches don’t follow a convenient schedule. They often start at inconvenient times when you can’t immediately get to our Perth dental office. This means you might need to manage the pain until your appointment.
Some people can tolerate minor discomfort, but for others, the pain becomes so overwhelming that it disrupts daily life and normal routines.
No matter where you fall on the pain scale, there are several effective home remedies that can provide temporary relief until you can visit Dental O So Gentle for proper treatment. Here are seven of the most helpful ways to manage toothache at home:
Rinsing With Salt Water: This time-tested remedy remains popular because it works. The salt water helps wash away food particles that might be irritating your tooth, while also acting as a natural disinfectant. The dental team at Dental O So Gentle recommends using lukewarm water with a teaspoon of salt stirred in until dissolved.
Garlic: The key to this is a compound within garlic called allicin, which is anti-bacterial and can kill the bacteria which is associated with toothache. It can be put to use by simply chewing on a clove of garlic or by making a garlic paste and applying it to the affected tooth.
Clove Oil: This has been used as a home remedy for toothache for generations and when applied can numb the affected area where the toothache is occurring. Use it by soaking a cotton wool ball with the clove oil and applying it to the area around the painful tooth for up to 10 minutes.
Peppermint Tea: The components of peppermint tea allow it to both fight bacteria and alleviate pain, especially toothache. Other than drinking it, you should take the teabag that was used to make the cup of peppermint tea, and once it has cooled down, hold it against the painful area.
Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse: You will find hydrogen peroxide is an active ingredient in several tooth sensitivity remedies that you can buy over the counter. For a home remedy that fights pain and infection, mix two parts of water to one part hydrogen peroxide and rinse it around in your mouth for one minute, ensuring you do not swallow any.
Aloe Vera: This plant is put to many medical uses, and in the case of using it as a home remedy for toothache, what you do is create a mouth rinse infused with aloe vera. Rinse your mouth with it two times a day for about thirty seconds to fight infection and relieve pain.
Ice Pack: Ice packs are used on all parts of the body to reduce swelling and pain as they cause blood vessels to contract. Wrap lots of ice cubes in a towel and place this against the side of your jaw or face where the worst pain and swelling is occurring for around fifteen minutes every two or three hours.