Toothaches can arise all of a sudden, causing intense pain and significant discomfort. While visiting a dental professional is always the best choice for treating toothaches, there might be times when you need immediate relief. This is where home remedies can help. Although a natural toothache remedy can offer temporary relief, consulting a dental professional for long-term solutions is important.
Read on to learn more about what a toothache is, its common causes, the available toothache remedies, ways to prevent it, and when it is necessary to see a dental professional.
What is a Toothache?
A toothache is generally a pain that you experience in or around your tooth. It can sometimes be mild, like temporary gum irritation, and can be managed with home remedies. But it can also be severe, often caused by issues like cavities or infections, and may require professional treatment and care.
Toothaches can occur in various forms and can showcase diverse symptoms. You might feel a constant dull ache, sharp stabbing pain, throbbing, or tooth sensitivity. Other signs include swollen gums, headaches, fever, chills, and a bad taste in your mouth or bad breath. If your tooth pain is intense and comes with a fever and chills, it is a serious problem and needs quick attention from a dentist.
What Causes Toothache?
While a toothache can arise from various reasons, one of the major causes is the inflammation of the dental pulp, which is most commonly a result of dental caries or tooth decay. Other possible causes of toothache include:
An infection or irritation of the tooth
A tooth with an abscess
Gum disease like gingivitis or periodontal disease
Injury to the jaw or mouth
Wisdom teeth eruption
Loose or cracked dental fillings or crowns
Tooth damage such as wear, injury, fracture, or broken tooth
In some instances, pain in any other part of the body can make you feel like you are having tooth pain. This is called referred pain. In such cases, an earache or a sinus infection can become toothache causes.
Home Remedies For Toothache Relief
If you are wondering how to cure toothaches, finding relief can be challenging. While there are home remedies for toothaches, they are not a replacement for professional dental care. Home remedies can only offer temporary relief and cannot provide long-term relief. Below are some of the home remedies that you may try to relieve toothache:
Clove Oil
Clove oil is considered to temporarily relieve dental pain and swelling associated with toothaches. It contains eugenol, a natural anaesthetic that acts as a temporary pain reliever. It is generally applied by soaking a few drops of clove oil in a cotton ball and then gently rubbing it over the affected teeth and gums.
While clove oil can help soothe the pain by acting as a natural painkiller, it is important to note that it won't cure the underlying cause of the toothache. Additionally, it has a bad taste, which can make it unpleasant to use.
Salt Water Rinse
Many turn to salt water rinsing for toothaches and swollen gums. Salt water is a natural disinfectant and helps loosen food particles and debris trapped between the teeth. A rinse is often created by mixing a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water. It is then swished around the mouth before being spat out.
Warm salt water rinses are regarded as soothing, as the warm water helps ease the pain, and the salt helps reduce the swelling in the gums. However, this is only a temporary solution, and its effectiveness can vary from person to person.
Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse
Like salt water, hydrogen peroxide rinse is also believed to offer relief from pain and swelling in the mouth. Some believe it may also help with healing bleeding gums, especially if you have gum disease. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of this remedy is not fully guaranteed.
If you are thinking of trying it, make sure to dilute it with equal parts of water to create a mouthwash. Swish the solution around the mouth, but be careful not to swallow it. While some may find relief with this method, it is not a substitute for a professional toothache remedy.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint is known for its numbing properties, which can soothe toothaches. It contains menthol, which has antibacterial properties that may help reduce pain, making it a popular toothache remedy. Typically, a few drops of peppermint oil are soaked on a cotton ball and placed on the affected area for temporary relief. Some may also use peppermint tea bags instead of essential oil.
Remember that home remedies only provide temporary tooth pain relief. Always consult your dentist if you are suffering from toothache pain, as they will be able to conduct a thorough dental examination to discover the root of the problem and find a solution.
Garlic for Toothache
Garlic is known for its wealth of health benefits, and some use garlic for toothache relief. Allicin, a compound found in garlic, is known for its antibiotic properties, which may ease the discomfort due to tooth pain. Using raw garlic is often recommended to maintain the effectiveness of its active ingredients.
Popular suggestions include placing a peeled, raw garlic clove directly on the aching tooth or creating a paste by mixing raw garlic cloves with salt and olive oil and then applying it to the painful tooth. However, it is worth noting that these remedies come with a strong, unmistakable garlic odour.
How to Prevent a Toothache?
Toothaches can be caused by various factors, making it difficult to identify their root cause without consulting a dental professional. However, there are some measures that you can take to help prevent toothaches:
Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Floss your teeth once a day.
Visit your dentist regularly for checkups.
Seek treatment, such as fillings for cavities, as soon as possible.
When to See a Dental Professional?
Keep in mind that while these home remedies can work as a temporary toothache remedy, to treat the underlying cause of the problem, one must consult a dental professional for the right toothache medicine. A dentist may suggest taking an X-ray to determine the cause and to decide on further procedures like fillings, crowns, or a root canal if necessary. They can also provide over-the-counter pain medications to relieve tooth pain. Remember, a toothache could be a sign of a serious problem, and only a professional can properly address this issue.
In conclusion, toothaches can cause significant discomfort and require prompt attention. While a toothache remedy at home, like clove oil, salt water rinses, and garlic, can provide temporary relief, they are not substitutes for professional oral care. It's crucial to see a dentist to address the underlying cause and prevent further complications. Proper oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups can help address issues like cavities and sensitive teeth that cause toothaches and maintain overall oral health.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to stop toothache pain fast?
What drink helps a toothache?
Will brushing teeth help toothache?
What is the best painkiller for tooth pain?
To stop tooth pain quickly, try rinsing your mouth with warm salt water or applying a cold compress with an ice pack, causing the blood vessels in the affected area to constrict. This makes the pain less severe. However, these options are not a substitute for professional treatment, and it is recommended to consult a dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
If you are wondering how to ease toothache, you may try drinking peppermint tea. Peppermint is known for its numbing properties, and drinking peppermint tea is thus considered to help in relieving toothache.
Brushing your teeth can help remove food particles and bacteria that might be causing irritation, but it won’t be a tooth pain remedy. Carefully brush around the painful area to avoid worsening the pain. It is important to consult a dental professional to address the underlying issue that is causing the toothache.
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are common painkillers used for tooth pain. However, it is best to consult a dental professional before administering over-the-counter medications.
