The pain of a toothache is like nothing else. When it hits, it hits hard and makes us totally focused on one thing alone: Relieving the pain, fast. While there aren’t any foolproof ways to cure a toothache without some dental intervention, there are a few trusted ways of making the pain more tolerable using a few unexpected household ingredients. If you’re caught with tooth pain in the middle of the day and don’t know what to do, or simply can’t find a local cosmetic dentist in time, don’t freak out. You don’t have to spend the time in between dental visits holding your head in pain. Here are a few ways you can get the pain of a toothache under control on your own terms.
Clove Oil
While the first thing that comes to mind when you think of cloves might have to do with the Christmas-y scent and warming feel of the commonly-used spice. However, cloves are capable of doing a lot more than creating a delicious bite in gingerbread or spicing up a winter hot toddy. When applied correctly, clove oil can actually act as a natural anesthetic. Because clove oil tends to be strong, it’s important not to apply too much to the affected area, since your gums can end up hurting more on contact if the nerve is too exposed. In order to get the best possible result, use a small amount of clove oil on a cotton ball or pad and gently apply it to the inflamed area. Be careful not to get too much on your gums, try to keep the oil on your tooth to avoid sensitivity. If you don’t have clove oil on hand or are having a hard time finding it, you can try chewing an entire clove until it releases its natural oils.
Ginger Paste
Ginger is truly one of nature’s miracle workers. In addition to soothing upset an upset stomach and easing anxiety, it can also help with inflammation. Getting your hands on some fresh ginger root will arm you with a way to dull any aching and reduce swelling easily. You can boil some ginger tea, grate some fresh ginger and apply it to your teeth, or grind up fresh ginger with a bit of cayenne pepper to create an anti-inflammation paste. If you don’t have fresh ginger, mixing the two spices and adding a bit of water works just as well. As with clove oil, you want to be careful about the amount of paste you use, and you’ll definitely want to keep the paste away from your exposed gums and tongue.
Salt Water
If you’ve ever used an Epsom salt soak to help heal a wound or ease the ache of a sore muscle, you’ll already be familiar with the healing powers of salt on a painful area. If you’re experiencing tooth pain, dissolve some salt in hot water and swish it around on the side of your mouth that’s feeling pain. However, it’s best to wait until the water cools down a little bit since your sensitive gums won’t appreciate contact with extremely hot or extremely cold fluids. Swish around your homemade mouthwash for a minute or so as the salt sucks impurities out of your mouth and brings down the swelling.
Hot Tea
Even if your mouth is in extreme pain, drinking some hot herbal tea can help neutralize the pain and redirect your focus. As long as the liquid you’re consuming isn’t burning hot, you’ll be able to drink a cup of ginger tea and feel your tooth pain become that much more manageable. You can also use fresh peppermint leaves or peppermint oil to create a soothing solution that will help numb the pain. If you’re still feeling an ache afterward, try pressing the warm teabag on your affected area for a minute to relieve the pressure.
Bleach Rinse
While filling your mouth full of hydrogen peroxide might seem like a terrifying solution to a toothache, it can actually be extremely effective if done right. As long as you swish and don’t swallow, a bit of 3% hydrogen peroxide can help bring swelling down while killing any possible infection that might be growing in your gums. Swish the hydrogen peroxide for about 30 seconds before spitting if you feel like you might have an infection. If your wisdom teeth are coming in or you’re trying to purge your mouth of any impurities and toxins, this is also a helpful method to try.