Toothache is an uncomfortable affair. Usually, the pain comes at a completely inopportune moment. If an appointment at the dentist is not immediately possible, there are some home remedies for toothache that can ease the symptoms.
Multiple causes of toothache
There are many causes of sore teeth. In most cases, tooth decay, periodontal disease, or inflammation of the gums are the trigger. But other dental diseases also manifest themselves as toothache.
Note: If the pain persists, see your dentist. In addition, regular visits to your dentist are unavoidable – also to prevent dental diseases.
The best 6 home remedies for toothache
Your teeth hurt, and it is Sunday? Or is your dentist on vacation? First aid for acute pain is provided by home remedies that have a soothing effect.
Basically, it is recommended to stop nicotine and alcohol consumption with acute toothache. In addition, hard foods (e.g., chocolate or carrots) should be avoided as they can make the symptoms worse.
Note: Herbal home remedies do not help everyone. Try several remedies to find out which method works best for you.
1. Ice pack for cooling
With injuries or bruises, the affected areas are often cooled with an ice pack or a cold compress.
Even with severe pain in the mouth, cooling with ice can relieve the pain.
If you do not have any ice on hand, you can alternatively fill a glass with ice-cold water and press it gently on the painful area. The cold constricts the blood vessels and slows down inflammatory processes. The cooling also provides a kind of anesthetic. We should avoid warmth as it usually increases the pain.
2. Crushed onion works against bacteria
Onion not only helps with earache and inflammation but also with a toothache.
To do this, place chopped onion in a towel or handkerchief and hold it on the outside of the affected area. The antibacterial properties of the onion help reduce inflammation and pain. Alternatively, you can use a clove of garlic and gently chew several times on the affected area in the mouth.
3. Herbal tea as a mouthwash
Teas such as sage, peppermint, or chamomile tea have anti-inflammatory effects and can to be used as a mouthwash.
You can either drink the tea as usual or use it to rinse your mouth for a minute or two. Besides sage, peppermint, or chamomile, black or green tea is also recommended for this application.
4. Salt solutions for infections
Toothache can be reduced by using a homemade saline solution.
To do this, it dissolves salt in a glass of warm water. This solution should not be gulped but left in the mouth for a maximum of 2 minutes and then rinsed out. The salt has a healing effect as it draws bacteria from the infected area and relieves uncomfortable tension in the soft tissue.
5. Essential oils
Clove oil and tea tree oil have a disinfecting and antiseptic effect and help with bacterial inflammation in the mouth.
To do this, simply dab a few drops of the oil on the sore tooth. Alternatively, chew on a clove for several minutes on the affected tooth site. After several minutes, the oil of the clove is released and fully unfolds its effect. You can also gargle with diluted tea tree oil.
6. Fresh savoy cabbage leaves
Savoy cabbage contains certain enzymes that have a decongestant effect on gingivitis.
The best way to do this is to use fresh savoy cabbage leaves and place them in a damp linen cloth. Hold it on the sore cheek. After half an hour, the analgesic effect sets in.
Conclusion: Home remedies for toothache are no substitute for a dentist
These home remedies can provide relief, but they are not a substitute for dental treatment, prescribed medication, or pain relievers.
If you have a severe toothache, these tips can be a good first aid measure, but they will only help temporarily. Therefore, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to have the affected tooth or gums professionally treated.