Natural Home Remedies to Ease and Relieve Toothache

Studies show that many people suffering from the pain of toothache turn to natural home remedy for pain relief first. Find out the causes and what you can use to ease the pain.

Introduction

The pain from a toothache has been reported to be just a dull pain all the way to severe pain. There is often an infection or inflammation happening to the tooth or surrounding gums. Until you can make a visit to your dentist, there are natural remedies you can try at home first to ease the pain.

Facts and Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What are some of the causes?
What other home remedy can I use?
What is a sinus infection toothache?
What can I do to reduce the risk of recurrent toothache?

Natural Home Remedies for Pain Relief from Toothaches

Natural Remedy	What experts say about them
Clove oil (Syzygium aromaticum)	(What's this?) Clove oil is shown to ease toothache by numbing the gums. It also shows potent antibacterial and antifungal activities in lab studies. Dentist use clove oil to treat and cure dry socket (after a tooth extraction). The German commission E has given clove oil the approval as a topical pain reducing and antiseptic agent. Directions: Apply clove oil to the affected tooth and gum using a cotton-tip swab (Q-Tip), toothpick or a finger. Massage the oil in as often as needed. You may apply the clove oil into a cotton ball or gauze pad and place it on the affected tooth if the pain is severe. Note: Avoid swallowing excessive amounts of clove oil by making sure you do not apply too much.
Willow bark	Willow bark is used as a pain reliever as well as an anti-inflammatory. It is shown in clinical studies to help with arthritis pain and may be as helpful for dental pain. Indeed in Germany and Britain, it is approved for various types of inflammatory disease. It is approved to treat toothaches in France. Dose: Take 20 to 80 mg up to three times daily with food. Warning: Willow bark contains the active ingredient salicin which may cause stomach upset similar to Aspirin. If you have an Aspirin (ASA) allergy do not take willow bark.
Chamomile	Helpful Chamomile is traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory to treat sinus infections, sore gums and irritation of the skin and on the inside the mouth. Directions: Make a cup of chamomile tea and rinse mouth with it. As well, as soak a cotton ball or gauze and place it onto the affected tooth and gum area.
Corydalis (Cordyalis yanhusua)	Helpful This traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herb is used to treat pain, inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) and bacterial infections. It has been used to help ease the pain from toothaches. Dose: Take 3 to 6 gram of the extract once or twice daily.
Thyme	Helpful Thyme contains the active ingredient thymol commonly found in mouthwash. It may be helpful in treating gingivitis (inflammation of the gum), preventing tooth decays and reducing dental pain. Direction: Use a mouth rinse (for example, Listerine) containing thymol as directed by the manufacturer. As well, soak a cotton ball or gauze and place it onto the affected tooth and gum area.
Wintergreen	Helpful Wintergreen oil contains methyl salicylate (a chemical with properties similar to Aspirin or ASA). It is known to reduce pain and inflammation. Direction: Use a mouthwash (example Listerine) that contains oil of wintergreen as directed by the manufacturer. As well, soak a cotton ball or gauze and place it onto the affected tooth and gum area.
Oregano Oil	Helpful Some experts suggest apply oil of oregano onto the tooth to help with the pain as it shows antibacterial activities.
Ginger	Helpful The antibacterial and antiinflammatory properties of fresh ginger is shown to help with arthritis pain and may be helpful for treating an aching tooth as well. Directions: Fresh Ginger - Cut the ginger into slices and place it so that it touches the area where the tooth is painful. It may cause a stinging sensation at first. Tea - Ginger tea can also be used as a drink. Mouth Rinse - Place slices of ginger in 250 mL (1 cup) of warm water and rinse as often as needed.

Facts and Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What are some of the causes of a toothache?

It is important to see a dentist to identify and rule out some of the causes of a toothache. Causes of the pain could be due to:

cavities (dental caries) - The most common cause
abscess tooth
broken or chipped tooth
loose tooth
impacted tooth (tooth pushed against another tooth or bone)
bleeding or inflammation of the gum (gingivitis)
food stuck below the gum line
excessive grinding of the teeth at night
congested sinus cavity (sinus congestion)
sinus infection
physical injury to the facial or jaw area

What other home remedy can I use?

One study shows that most people suffering from toothache do not initially see a dentist to get pain relief. Most would like to manage the pain using home herbal remedies and self-care techniques.

To ease the pain, also use the following techniques:

If the pain is from food that is stuck between the gum and tooth, use a dental floss to attempt to remove the food.
Rinse your mouth using mouthwash containing thyme or wintergreen to kill bacteria and bring down the inflammation. Salt water rinse can also be used. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 250 mL (1 cup) of warm water and rinse as often as needed.
Use an ice pack on the cheek to help stop the toothache and keep inflammation down.
If the pain is unmanageable, take non-prescription anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aleve (naproxen), Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen), Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Aspirin (ASA) to tie you over until you can make a visit to your family dentist.

What is a sinus infection toothache?

It is possible that a sinus problem could manifest as a toothache. A sinus infection would most likely require antibiotic treatment from your family doctor.

A congested or infected sinus (sinusitis) puts pressure on and irritates the nerves leading to the upper part of the mouth This may cause a dull or general pain spread out over several teeth that may be difficult for you to pin-point exactly.

Moreover, bacteria from an infected tooth can get into the sinus cavity (specifically the maxillary sinuses) and cause an infection. The symptoms of a sinus infection may be very similar to an aching tooth problem.

What can I do to reduce the risk of recurrent toothaches?

If you experience mild toothache regularly that has been checked your family doctor, there are things you can do to maximize the health of your teeth and gum. This will reduce the likelihood of suffering from aching tooth in the future.

Visit your dentist and get a cleaning at least twice a year.
Avoid acid drinks and carbonated beverages as they can cause tooth decay. If you do drink them, rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth as soon as practical to remove the acids.
Floss at least once daily if not more often to remove plaque and prevent gingivitis (inflammation of the gum).
Brush your teeth twice daily and after each meal if practical.
Vitamin C chewable tablets are acidic. Use the time-released tablets or just the regular tablets you swallow. Or you can use Ester-C which is the non-acidic formulation.
Don't smoke.

In essence, maintain great oral hygiene, especially after eating or snacking on foods. By preventing tooth decay, a major cause of toothaches, you can reduce the chance of ever suffering from this painful condition.