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Natural
Home Remedies to Ease and Relieve Toothache
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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. |
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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
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.
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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.
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References
Selected
References
Revised:
January 3, 2010

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