Home Remedies for Toothache

A toothache can be a real pain - in every sense of the word. Often, it is not possible to get in to see a dentist as soon as the pain begins, and it then becomes necessary to seek out temporary relief of the pain from items available to you in your home or at your local store. Most toothaches are caused by bacteria and decay of the tooth, and it is important to remember that even if you are able to successfully treat the pain without visiting your dentist, the underlying cause of the toothache needs to be determined. People have been treating toothaches for a very long time using the natural remedies listed below.

Garlic:

One of the most effective and widely known home remedies for toothache is garlic. Garlic can help treat infection, and reduce pain and inflammation. A clove of garlic should be crushed and placed onto the affected tooth and left in place for as long as you can stand the flavor and the mild burning sensation the crushed garlic causes in your mouth.

Onion:

Onion contains antibacterial properties, and chewing on a raw onion for a little as three minutes is usually sufficient to kill all of the germs in the mouth, decreasing the pain caused by infection in the tooth. Place a small amount of onion directly on the aching tooth or gum for relief of pain.

Bay Berry:

Making a paste of the bark of bay berry combined with vinegar and applying it to your sore tooth will relieve the pain of a toothache.

Clove:

Clove oil helps prevent and treat infection due to its antibacterial properties. Clove is also known to reduce pain, and applying clove oil directly to a cavity will help to ease the pain associated with a toothache.

Ice:

Ice packs placed on the outside of your cheek on the affected side of the mouth can reduce the pain and swelling of an infected tooth.

Salt Water:

Rinsing with warm salt water can be very helpful for toothache. Just make a solution mixing 2-3 tablespoons of salt in a glass of lukewarm water, and gargle several times a day. This not only helps soothe the pain of the toothache, but will help flush away any trapped pieces of food that have become lodged in or around the tooth. Do not use cold or very warm water, as this may make your tooth hurt more.

Elevation:

Elevating your head will decrease the pressure in the area of the infected tooth and thereby reduce pain and inflammation. If your toothache is worse at night, as is often the case, try sleeping upright in a chair or propped up on pillows.

Massage:

If the pain is caused by wisdom teeth attempting to break through the skin, massaging the area with your finger can often bring some relief from the pain. It should be noted, however, that if the pain is caused by infection, rubbing the affected area can increase the irritation and pain.