Tooth Ache

A tooth ache can be an excruciating and a painful condition for any child or adult to face. It can be unbearable if not taken care of properly. Think of it this way: a tooth ache is telling you there is something else going on; bacteria from an infected tooth can be serious.

A simple cavity is only one reason you may experience a toothache. When you get a cavity, it is because some of the tooth has decayed. When that decay has reached the pulp of the tooth, it causes irritation, inflammation and toothache as the inner part of the tooth is full of sensitive nerves. If you have an existing toothache, it can be made worse when you drink something too hot or too cold.

A broken tooth is another reason you may experience a toothache. A broken tooth can expose the inner pulp and allow air and food particles to get to the nerves. This can lead to pain, swelling, and infection.

Home Remedies for Tooth Ache

If you have a toothache, you should consider taking a trip to the dentist. There are serious oral issues which may need to be taken care of immediately. Before you get to the dentist, below are a few supportive home remedies you can try at home.

Soothing a Tooth Ache with a Warm Salt Water Rinse

This is used as a home remedy for many conditions, including a toothache and it’s probably one of the most effective and recommended ways to soothe an achy tooth!

  • Add 1/ 2 to 1 teaspoon salt to a glass of water.
  • Add in 1 cup of very warm water.
  • Stir to dissolve salt.

By the time the salt has dissolved the water will have cooled down a little. Sip a little into your mouth and swish it around your mouth. Try to swish for 30 second intervals. Spit and repeat until the salt water mix is gone.

This will help clean the affected area and reduce swelling. This can be done numerous times throughout the day if necessary until you can get to the dentist.

Fresh Garlic Cloves

Among other things, garlic has antibiotic properties that are released when it is crushed and in the case of a tooth ache, this will help relieve the pain associated with a toothache and help with inflammation.

First peel then rinse the garlic clove, then all you need to do for this home remedy to work is place the garlic directly on the tooth causing you pain, bite down and chew until the pain has subsided. It’s awkward but try to keep the garlic in the area where the toothache is.

You can also try crushing the garlic to a pulp in a bowl then rub the pulp around the affected tooth or place a small amount on a piece of cotton gauze and hold it on the tooth until it’s feeling better.

Note: You may experience a numbing sensation and garlic can irritate the gum area. Be sure to rinse with warm water afterwards.

Clove Oil

Another temporary and alternative home remedy is to put some clove essential oil on and around your troubled tooth for quick relief. Put about 4 or 5 drops of the clove oil onto a cotton swab and apply it gently to the affected area. This can be repeated several times a day.

Clove oil is strong but can be helpful to naturally treat a tooth ache until you can reach the dentist.

Cold Compress

A cold compress is also something you can try to alleviate a toothache that is accompanied by noticeable swelling to the cheek area.

Applying a cold compress, for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, to the jaw or cheek area can help reduce blood flow which will help reduce pain and swelling.

Make sure whatever you use for your cold compress: frozen peas, ice pack, etc, that it is wrapped in a cloth before putting it on your face as the coldness itself can be a little painful.

Use Dental Floss

I’m sure your dentist has told you how important it is to floss your teeth. Flossing is essential for healthy gums and teeth.

Using dental floss to get stuck in food particles out between and under teeth can help greatly if you’re experiencing minor tooth ache pain. Be sure to carefully get the floss around the bottom of each tooth to remove foods stuck under the tooth.