Your teeth may be small in size, but when they hurt the pain can practically put you on your knees.
If you have a persistent toothache or any other dental health problem, the best solution is to go to your see your local dentist.
However, if you can’t-do that right away, here are some of the best home remedies that many individuals swear by.
Clove Oil
Clove oil is one of the oldest home remedies, and it is for one good reason – it is very effective.
It contains eugenol, which is popular not just for its natural numbing effects but for its antibacterial properties as well.
Mix ¼ teaspoon olive oil and three drops of clove oil, and dip a small piece of cotton in it. Put the cotton on the tooth that hurts then keep it in place by biting it down.
Allow it to remain for a couple of minutes, or until the pain subsides. Take note, though, that clove oil must be used carefully as it can make the pain worse if used improperly.
Although the FDA no longer recommends clove oil, there are dentists and other oral healthcare professionals who still believe in this remedy. Clove oil can easily be bought in drug stores and health food stores.
Salt Water
Warm salt water is effective not only for a toothache but for a sore throat as well, thanks to its pain-killing and antibacterial effects.
To make a salt water mouth rinse, put a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Swish the solution around your mouth for about 30 seconds before spitting it out.
Aside from its aforementioned effects, salt water washes away debris and thus cleans the area while also drawing out some fluid from the swollen tissues. You may perform this remedy as often as necessary.
Tea Bags
After making a delightful cup of tea, don’t throw the used tea bag just yet.
A hot tea bag may be the perfect solution next time you have a toothache. All you have to do is apply the tea bag directly to the tooth.
Tea is rich in tannic acid that can help decrease swelling, and thus relieve pain. For best results, opt for peppermint tea.
Aside from its nice and refreshing flavor, it is also the most effective when it comes to providing that numbing effect not just for a toothache but for a headache as well.
You may also wish the tea itself in your mouth for a more soothing effect. If peppermint flavor is “not your cup of tea,” black tea can be just as effective.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide in 3% solution is also helpful in providing temporary relief from a toothache, particularly if the pain is accompanied by symptoms such as fever and bad taste in the mouth.
Mix equal amounts of warm water and hydrogen peroxide in a glass.
Rinse your mouth with the solution for about 30 seconds then spit it out. You may rinse your mouth with more water if desired.
Ice Cubes
If for some reason you don’t have any of the remedies above, then you can always go back to basics and use some ice cubes instead.
It is a very simple, yet effective solution to a toothache. You can put it directly on the area of the involved tooth or massage it over your hands and fingers.
The second method is rather folkloric, but it actually works. The explanation is that the cold sensation travels faster to the brain than pain does, basically overriding the signals coming from the tooth.
Take note that while these home remedies do work, they are not permanent solutions that can get rid of your toothache for good. You still need a definitive treatment that only a trained dental professional can provide.