Toothache is one of the most painful symptoms of several dental conditions faced not only by children but adults too. The grueling pain arises when the nerve root of a tooth is irritated. Fortunately, there are several toothache remedies which can be followed at home to reduce and manage the pain, until the problem receives medical attention.
Commonly, any problem related to the tooth or the jaws, may manifest itself through a toothache. Common examples are dental cavity, cracked tooth, exposed tooth root, and gum disease or infection. Any disease of the jaw joint or spasms of the muscles used for chewing food may also result in a toothache. A toothache may be mild in some cases and in some, can be so severe that it may be felt as being knocked by a hammer repeatedly. Chewing or exposing the affected tooth to cold or heat may aggravate the pain. The pain could be dull, sharp, throbbing or might have a sudden occurrence or may even be constant. It is important to take a note of the fact that there is no home remedy for toothache that is caused by dental conditions as mentioned above. Sooner or later, the condition would have to be treated by a qualified dentist.
How to Manage Toothache at Home
# Use of clove oil has been an age-old practice. It not only helps in alleviating the pain, but also aids in fighting any infection of the tooth, due to its antiseptic properties. If a decayed tooth is the cause of the toothache, then put some drops of clove oil on the tooth and get relief from the pain. Alternatively, you can also soak a small piece of cotton in the oil, and place it on the aching tooth.
# Another effective method to reduce severe toothache is the use of asafoetida (the brownish gum resin of various plants). Make a paste using this resin and lemon juice, and dip a piece of cotton in the lotion. Dab the affected tooth with the paste, and repeat the procedure until you feel the pain getting less intense. Alternatively, making a paste of asafoetida with a pinch of salt and coating the aching tooth with it, also helps.
# Onion is also among the list of popular remedies to manage toothache, which most have benefited from. Simply place a fresh small piece of it on the aching tooth or gum. Onion holds certain antibacterial properties. Even chewing one onion a day helps in preventing the occurrence of several tooth disorders.
# If you can arrange to get the bark of bay berry, then you can prepare a paste of the bark with vinegar. Apply the paste to the tooth or the gums, whenever you feel the pain.
# There is one method that not only helps in taking care of the pain, but prevents dental cavities, foul breath, painful and bleeding gums, as well. This one is the application of a mixture of pepper and some salt.
# Most of you, must have heard about the benefits of wheat grass in treating an aching tooth. All you have to do is chew the grass and let it draw out the toxins from the gums, and curb bacterial growth, if any. Using its juice as a mouthwash checks tooth decay and hence the toothache.
# Another simple method is to use a mixture of mustard oil and turmeric powder. It not only reduces the pain, but its regular use helps in checking other tooth problems.
# The astringent property of salt helps in tooth disinfection. Mix 1 tablespoon of common salt in 1 cup of warm water, and taking a mouthful of the solution, move it around the aching tooth.
# After having brushed, swish your mouth thoroughly with an antibacterial mouthwash such as Listerine. Hold the liquid in the aching area for about two minutes and spit it out. This would provide some relief for about an hour.
# Pour a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of warm water, and swish. It also helps in reducing the pain for sometime.
To repeat what I have cited earlier in the article, all these tips must not be taken for toothache remedies, but ones that may help in keeping the pain down for sometime. They are especially helpful for managing a terrible pain that may suddenly begin in the middle of the night. But it also has to be kept in mind that they are no substitute for a dental appointment, as they cannot cure the root cause of the toothache. Take care!
