Millions of people experience some type of toothache in their lifetime. While some are simple and can be managed at home until you can get in to see a doctor, others are more serious and require immediate attention by a dentist. Your treatment will depend on how serious your case is and what type of problem you are having.
Toothache Treatments & Remedies
If you are like most people, you will find that if you tell your relatives you have a toothache they will surely give you unwanted advice on how to get rid of it. Most of the time that advice will be something crazy and way out in left field, and most certainly will not help you. However, they could be on the right track with managing your symptoms from home until you can be seen by a doctor.
There are many solutions out there that can help you relieve your pain and let you get on with your day. While these are not permanent fixes and you should see a dentist, they can help you until you get there.
There are many reasons why people choose to use home remedies for their toothaches and, surprisingly enough, fear of treatment is not the only cause. Research studies have shown that people choose home remedies over going to the dentist because of lack of time in their busy schedules and a belief that natural remedies are still better than modern medicine. Whatever the case may be, natural remedies for toothaches are gaining in popularity as more and more people turn to them from treatment.
All Natural Home Remedies
There are 7 all natural home remedies to help treat your toothache and you can find all of the ingredients right at your local supermarket. They are clove oil, peppermint tea bags, vanilla extract, bourbon soaked cotton balls, garlic, salt water treatment, and hydrogen peroxide rinse. Let’s take a look at the 4 top treatments and how effective they can be.
Clove Oil
Cloves and clove oil contain a natural numbing medication called eugenol. While clove oil will numb the tooth and the area around it, it is only a temporary solution that lasts less than an hour. Because of the numbing capabilities of clove oil, you will want to make sure that it is only deposited on the affected tooth. It can numb all areas of your mouth which can cause problems with eating or drinking if it comes in contact with your tongue.
Experts say to use a cotton ball or a Q-Tip to place the clove oil on your tooth, giving you a much higher chance of it only coming in contact with the affected area.
Peppermint Tea Bags
These tea bags are not just for drinking anymore, you can also use the tea bags for temporary toothache relief. There are two ways to use peppermint tea bags for pain relief. The first is to place the bag in the freezer and allow it ample time to harden. Once the tea bag is frozen, you will want to place it on the affected tooth and leave it there for around 20 minutes.
But be advised, if you are experiencing a negative sensation to cold, you will not want to use it frozen as it can irritate your problem. You can also use the tea bag wet. Soak it in water for a few minutes to make sure the leaves are completely saturated. Once complete, place the tea bag on the tooth and leave it there for a few minutes. The peppermint will numb the area and relieve your pain, though it is only temporary.
Salt Water Treatment
While salt water treatments are common and most people use them for a variety of reasons, they are not a long-term result for toothache pain. Salt water rinse is one of the safest home remedies out there, simply because you are using pure salt and water. You will want to use warm water mixed with a small amount of salt, drink the solution but do not swallow, and swish it around in your mouth for a few seconds.
Not only will this clean the inside of your mouth, it can also help to break up any debris in your mouth that may be causing the pain. This is only a temporary solution, but you can repeat the action a few times a day.
Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
Hydrogen peroxide is used for many things throughout home and doctor’s offices. Some people use it to clean out their ears, boil out cuts and scrapes, or use it in a cleaning solution. While hydrogen peroxide can help to fight gingivitis and can give temporary toothache pain relief, it is not safe to use unless you are very careful.
If you ingest hydrogen peroxide, you can damage the walls of your stomach and intestines. You can also suffer burns on the inside of your mouth if you are not careful to mix it with the correct amount of water.
Final Words
While there are many home treatments of toothaches on the market today, you should be wary when choosing one to use. Making sure to use the ones with the most natural, safe ingredients is the best way to go. You will still want to make sure that you are seen by a dentist at some point so you can have your problem properly fixed. While these home remedies seem like a good idea when you are in the moment and in pain, they are only temporary and are no substitute for seeing an actual dentist.
If you are experiencing or have been experiencing toothaches for more than a few days, you should consult with a dentist. There may be an underlying cause of your toothache that only a trained professional would be able to treat. There are some tooth problems that can lead to more serious issues such as gum disease or even tooth loss, so it is very important that you only use home remedies for a short period of time until a dentist can take a look at your problem.
