6 Simple Things You Can Do to Relieve Toothache

Tooth pain can occur for a variety of reasons. Dental issues like cavities, loose fillings, a cracked tooth, an abscess, or even a sinus condition can all provoke toothache. So, once you’ve got pain, you need to visit your dentist as soon as possible. But until you can see your doc, try these trusted home remedies that can alleviate your toothache.

1. Tea 

Tea is not only a tasty drink, but it can also bring benefits to your dental health. Tea, particularly peppermint tea can help you get relief. Put one teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves in a cup of boiling water and steep for 20 minutes. After the tea cools, swish it around in your mouth, then spit it out or swallow. 

You can also use strong black tea to lower swelling. Just place a warm, wet tea bag against the affected tooth for temporary relief. Black tea contains fluoride that helps eliminate bacteria and lower swelling.

2. Ice 

Ice is another good way to get rid of swelling and reduce painful sensations. Just put an ice cube in a plastic bag, wrap a thin cloth around the bag, and apply it to the affected tooth for 15 minutes. This will help numb the nerves and improve blood circulation to the tooth. 

Massaging your hand with an ice cube will help you lessen toothache. When nerves in your fingers send “cold” signals to your brain, they might distract you from the pain.

3. Proper brushing 

Toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth is extremely helpful for people with advanced gum recession. With gum recession, the dentin beneath your teeth’s enamel surface is exposed to the air, and this material becomes sensitive. 

Choose pastes containing sodium fluoride, potassium nitrate, or strontium nitrate. These ingredients are known to lower sensitivity. Opt for the softest-bristled brush which can help you preserve gum tissue and prevent further recession. Keep in mind that gum recession could be a sign of periodontitis - an advanced stage of gum disease. It should be addressed in time, otherwise, it can lead to tooth and jaw bone loss. Talk to a dentist about your receding gums and they will plan the appropriate treatment for you. 

4. Clove oil 

Cloves have been used for centuries as a remedy for numbing nerves due to their content of the chemical compound called eugenol. It’s considered a natural anesthetic. According to multiple studies, when used topically, clove oil is as effective against tooth pain as benzocaine. Just put two drops of clove oil on a cotton ball and place it against the tooth itself until the pain lessens. 

5. Saltwater 

Add a teaspoon of salt to a cup of boiling water to get an effective mouthwash. It will clean away irritating debris on your teeth and help decrease swelling. Swish it around for 30 seconds and spit it out. 

Saltwater will clean the area around the tooth and draw out some of the fluid that triggers swelling. Repeat this treatment as often as needed. A hot rinse will also help stop the infection until you get to your doctor. 

6. Hydrogen peroxide 

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful antibacterial remedy. Swishing with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution diluted with water will help combat harmful bacteria and bring relief. This will help temporarily if tooth pain is accompanied by fever and a foul taste in the mouth (both symptoms indicate an infection). 

However, like other toothache remedies, it’s only a temporary measure until you visit a dental specialist and get the source of infection cleared up. If you experience both symptoms, call your doc as soon as possible. An untreated infection can lead to sepsis - a life-threatening condition, in which the pus enters the blood and causes an acute response to an infection.