If you’re experiencing tooth pain, you should get to the dentist as soon as possible.
Sometimes, though, there are factors outside of your control that prevent you from getting to the dentist. What if it’s the weekend, or late at night or early in the morning?
If you’re unable to get to the dentist right away but still need toothache pain relief, you’re in luck. We’ve got 8 tested pain remedies for you to try today.
Let’s get into it!
Cloves
You might have the secret to toothache pain relief right in your kitchen cabinet! Clove oil, powdered cloves, and whole cloves can all be used to ease your pain.
The main chemical compound in cloves is called eugenol, which is a natural anesthetic.
Although cloves in a variety of forms can be useful in relieving tooth pain, it’s important to apply the spice correctly. If you’re not careful, you might make your tooth pain worse!
If you’re using clove oil, put just two drops on a cotton ball. Then, place the cotton ball directly on the tooth that is hurting. Be sure to avoid getting the oil on your tongue or gums.
If you’re using powdered clove, take a small pinch and apply it between your gum and the affected tooth. As the spice mixes with your saliva, the pain will likely go away.
Finally, a whole clove can also be used. Simply place the clove on your tooth and gently chew it to release the oil. Keep the clove in place for up to 30 minutes.
Salt Water Rinse
Salt is another ingredient you likely have on hand that can help with toothache pain relief.
Simply mix about one teaspoon of salt with a cup of hot water and swish it around in your mouth for about 30 seconds. Salt water relieves tooth pain (and also helps ease a sore throat) by drawing out fluid that causes swelling and getting rid of debris that might be irritating the tooth.
You can rinse with salt water as often as you need.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is similar to salt water in the way that it helps relieve tooth pain.
Simply swishing a mouthful of hydrogen peroxide solution can help kill bacteria and relieve pain if it is caused by infection. You might have an infection if you also have a fever and a bad taste in your mouth.
Be sure to mix hydrogen peroxide with water before swishing it around your mouth, as it can damage your teeth at its full strength. Rinse your mouth out with water afterward as well, just to be safe.
Garlic
Another simple — albeit smelly — treatment you can try is garlic.
You can use either a whole garlic clove or minced garlic. If you’re using whole garlic, simply place a clove on the tooth that hurts and chew it gently. If you’re using chopped garlic, simply place some on the tooth.
Crushed garlic releases allicin, a liquid that serves as a natural disease fighter. Like hydrogen peroxide, allicin will help with infection. It won’t taste very good, that’s for sure, but it will help ease your discomfort until you can get to the dentist.
Ginger & Cayenne Paste
A paste made of ginger and cayenne can work wonders for tooth pain.
Both of these spices are known to be excellent painkillers thanks to their main chemical component, capsaicin. Capsaicin has been found to help prevent pain messages from reaching the brain.
Simply mix equal parts ginger and cayenne with a little bit of water to make a paste. Then, use a cotton ball to soak up some of the paste and apply it to your tooth. Leave it on for as long as you can handle the heat!
Peppermint Oil
Just a small amount of peppermint essential oil can work wonders for numbing tooth pain. Menthol, which naturally occurs in peppermint, is a well-known painkiller that is included in all kinds of over-the-counter pain relieving products.
To get all the benefits of peppermint oil for toothache pain relief, mix 10-15 drops with 2 tablespoons of a neutral oil like olive oil. This will dilute the peppermint so that it won’t irritate your tooth or gums. Then, soak a cotton ball in the oil and pack it around the tooth.
You can repeat this method as often as you need.
Gum
It might seem counterintuitive to chew gum while you have a toothache, but hear us out.
If you have a broken tooth or have lost a filling, covering the area with softened chewing gum can help ease some of the pain. You can also use gum to temporarily hold a loose filling in place.
This is obviously a very temporary fix, but it can help tide you over until you get into the dentist’s office. Just make sure you don’t chew the gum — or anything else — with the tooth that’s hurting!
Myrrh
Myrrh is another spice that is great for pain and inflammation thanks to its astringent effects.
Simmer 1 teaspoon of powdered myrrh with 2 cups of water for 30 minutes. Then, strain it and let it cool. Rinse your mouth with 1 teaspoon of the solution mixed with a half-cup of water.
You can repeat this treatment five to six times per day.
Tips For Preventing Toothaches
It’s important to also understand what you can do to help prevent future toothaches from happening.
Most people don’t realize that their habits might actually be contributing to their tooth pain. For example, things like improper brushing, chewing on ice, and biting your nails can wreak havoc on your teeth.
If you deal with regular toothaches, you might want to take a look at your habits and consider whether or not they are part of the problem.
Schedule An Appointment For Lasting Toothache Pain Relief
You now have some tips for temporarily treating your toothache — and preventing more from occurring — but it’s still important for you to schedule an appointment for a permanent fix as soon as you can.
Contact our office today by phone or through our online form, and we’ll get back to you in no time!