Have a toothache and can’t make it into your Highlands Ranch dentist office immediately? Here are some home remedies to temporarily ease the pain.
But don’t forget, you still shouldvisit us! These tips are not meant to cure the pain, just to be a quick fix in the meantime.
Home Remedies for Toothache – Dental Health Center | Everyday Health Got a toothache, jaw pain, or an agonizing canker sore? To ease the ouch, look no further than your kitchen cabinet.
Toothaches may be small in size — but they can cause a colossal amount of pain.
“Pain is your body’s way of telling you to go to a doctor,” says John Dodes, DDS, a dentist in Forest Hills, N.Y., and author of Healthy Teeth. If you have a severe or persistent toothache or other mouth malady, you should visit your dentist in case it’s a serious dental health issue that needs treatment.
However, some minor toothaches and pains can be treated right at home (or at least mitigated while you wait to see your dentist). Next time your mouth is troubling you, give these home remedies a shot.
Toothache Cures From Your Kitchen Cabinet
Grab some clove oil. Oil of clove is an age-old home remedy. It works thanks to the chemical eugenol contained in the oil, which has anesthetic and antibacterial properties. To use it for tooth pain, soak a cotton ball with a mixture made of two to three drops of clove oil and ¼ teaspoon of olive oil. Put the cotton ball in your mouth near the tooth that hurts and bite down to keep it in place. One caution: Don’t go to sleep with the cotton ball still in your mouth. The FDA no longer considers this treatment effective enough to recommend it, although some dentists still believe it has benefits.Clove oil is available at pharmacies and health food stores.
Pop in a cough drop. Cough drops or lozenges usually contain a small amount of anesthetic (menthol and sometimes benzocaine) — which means they may relieve minor tooth pain, too. Pop one or two in your mouth and suck on them (don’t chew!). Another solution? Apply a dab of Vick’s VapoRub on the outside of your cheek where your tooth hurts, then place a paper towel on your pillow and lie down on that side.
Flush it out. Sometimes, the root of your toothache is food that’s trapped between your teeth. In this case, try flossing, rinsing with mouthwash, or using interdental brushes (small brushes shaped like Christmas trees that work between the teeth). In fact, this home remedy can save you a trip to the dentist’s office — but if food is constantly getting stuck in your teeth, talk to your dentist, because there could be an issue with your gums that needs medical attention.
Try these other kitchen staples. Some other home remedies that have proven to help toothaches include applying a hot tea bag directly to the tooth. Tea contains tannic acid, which reduces swelling. Other solutions: A cucumber slice placed on the tooth or a cotton ball soaked in brandy – alcohol has numbing properties, too. Some people also report that garlic, onions, spinach, wheat grass, or a simple salt water rinse relieves tooth pain.
FAQs
Some ways to help you get rid of a toothache quickly include taking over-the-counter pain relievers, rinsing your mouth with mouthwash or salt water, eating soft foods, and using a pain-relieving gel.
What's the best natural thing for a toothache? ›
There are many home remedies and treatments to treat toothache before visiting a dentist.
- A cold compress or ice pack. ...
- Saltwater mouthwash. ...
- Painkillers. ...
- Peppermint. ...
- Thyme. ...
- Aloe vera. ...
- Hydrogen peroxide rinse. ...
- Cloves.
A cold compress on your face can help, especially if you've chipped a tooth or knocked it loose. How do you stop nerve pain in your teeth? OTC pain relievers may help, and rinsing with warm water may provide some relief. Try to avoid chewing on your sore tooth, and stick to soft foods.
What is the strongest natural antibiotic for tooth infection? ›
What is the strongest natural antibiotic for tooth infection? Clove oil is one of the strongest natural antibiotics for tooth infections. Clove oil has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties that can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with a tooth infection.
What drink helps a toothache? ›
Here are a few for you to try out.
- Cold Water. Yes, something as simple as water can help soothe toothaches and burns! ...
- Milk. Not only is milk good for your teeth by providing a large dose of calcium to help strengthen the structure of them, but it can also help with burns to the mouth. ...
- Iced Green Tea.
Prevention
- Brush with fluoride toothpaste after eating or drinking. ...
- Rinse your mouth. ...
- Visit your dentist regularly. ...
- Consider dental sealants. ...
- Drink some tap water. ...
- Avoid snacking and sipping a lot. ...
- Eat tooth-healthy foods. ...
- Consider fluoride treatments.
A saltwater rinse will kill off some of the bacteria and irrigate your mouth. It can rinse some of the debris out of your mouth and if you have an abscess, it can help break up the pus surrounding the tooth. You can use regular table salt and warm tap water to make a basic saltwater rinse.
Does Orajel actually work? ›
Local anaesthetics like benzocaine, the active ingredient used in Orajel Toothache Gel, work by temporarily blocking the pain pathways along the nerves. This prevents the brain from receiving pain triggering signals. When Orajel is applied to a bothersome tooth it works quickly to offer lasting relief from pain.
How to numb a toothache? ›
To ease toothache quickly, a person can rinse their mouth using salt water or hydrogen peroxide. They can then apply OTC topical medications or clove oil to numb the affected area and use an ice pack. A person should always consult a dentist if tooth pain persists, regardless of the severity of the pain.
How can I numb my tooth nerve at home? ›
Benzocaine or Lidocaine oral gel: These topical anesthetics can provide temporary relief by numbing the affected area. Apply a small amount directly to the painful tooth and gum area as directed on the packaging. Clove oil: Clove oil has natural numbing properties and has been used for tooth pain relief for many years.
Dentinal sensitivity is nerve pain that generally happens when the tooth's enamel is damaged or eroded. The exposed tooth dentin responds to external stimuli such as cold, heat, and acid. Common causes of dentinal sensitivity include receding gums, teeth whitening products, and untreated cavities.
How long does it take for a tooth nerve to calm down? ›
On average, a tooth nerve pain can last from as little as just a few days to as long as 4-6weeks or, in some instances, even longer. Considering the numbness ad sharp pain that may occur with a tooth nerve, you have to do what you can to get rid of the pain as soon as possible.
How to get rid of a tooth infection without going to the dentist? ›
A tooth abscess will not go away without dental treatment. You may choose to seek relief from symptoms of a tooth abscess by trying natural remedies like saltwater rinses, baking soda, fenugreek tea, cold compresses, garlic, oil pulling, essential oil, or hydrogen peroxide rinses.
What is the best homemade antibiotic? ›
Seven best natural antibiotics
- Garlic. Cultures across the world have long recognized garlic for its preventive and curative powers. ...
- Honey. Since ancient times, people have used honey due to its wound-healing activity and antimicrobial properties. ...
- Ginger. ...
- Echinacea. ...
- Goldenseal. ...
- Clove. ...
- Oregano.
Dentists will treat a tooth abscess by draining it and getting rid of the infection. They may be able to save your tooth with a root canal treatment. But in some cases the tooth may need to be pulled. Leaving a tooth abscess untreated can lead to serious, even life-threatening, complications.
Why won't my toothache go away with painkillers? ›
If painkillers aren't providing relief, it may be due to the underlying cause of the toothache. Painkillers can temporarily mask the pain but won't treat the root problem. Consult with an emergency dentist to diagnose and address the issue properly.
What is the strongest over-the-counter painkiller for a toothache? ›
Over-the-Counter Painkillers for Toothache
Ibuprofen and Paracetamol can be taken together as they work differently but ibuprofen 600mg is usually the best painkiller for toothache.
Why does holding water in the mouth stop toothache? ›
You may have gasses trapped in your tooth. If you keep ice cold water in your mouth, the gasses will contract and pain either lessens or ceases.
What happens if a toothache doesn't go away with painkillers? ›
If your toothache is not going away despite home management or if it is getting worse, you must contact your dentist. Contact your dentist immediately if you notice any of these signs: Pain while opening the mouth. Fever.
Home Remedies for Toothache – Dental Health Center | Everyday Health Got a toothache, jaw pain, or an agonizing canker sore? To ease the ouch, look no further than your kitchen cabinet.