Want to get rid of the terrible toothache? This week You! shares some natural remedies that can help keep the pain at bay...
health
Want to get rid of the terrible toothache? This week You! shares some natural remedies that can help keep the pain at bay...
If you are suffering from toothache then everyone advises you to go and ‘see your dentist’. Of course consulting an expert is important, but there are times when the pain becomes unbearable. So, going for a natural alternative to medicines is the best option. Natural remedies for toothache provide instant relief and the best part is that they do not have any side effects either. Here are a few remedies that you can try at home, but make sure to visit the dentist to find what is causing the toothache.
Garlic: Did you know that garlic can soothe tooth pain? Plus, its antibiotic and antibacterial powers can stave off infection. Mash a garlic clove and rub it over the tooth like a paste. Leave on for 15-20 minutes for relief. It’ll stink, but remember this is only temporary! Also, you can chew on a fresh slice of garlic or apply a mixture of crushed garlic cloves mixed with sea salt to the affected area.
Ice-cold acupressure: Try this acupressure trick to relieve your toothache. First, find the fleshy web of skin between your thumb and forefinger - this is your target pressure point. Cover an ice cube with a paper towel or soft cloth to protect your skin, then press it against this V-shape pressure point and hold for about 10 minutes. Cold pressure on this spot will interfere with the nerve associated with tooth pain.
Clove oil: Cloves ease oral pain due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anesthetic properties. To use this remedy, combine two ground cloves with oil - vegetable or olive oil - and apply the mixture to the painful area with a cotton ball. If you don’t have clove oil, whole cloves can also do the trick! Pop two or three cloves in your mouth and leave them so they get soft. Press down on the softened cloves with your healthy teeth, without biting through them, just until their oils seep out. Push the cloves over to your hurting tooth and let sit for 30 minutes to soothe the pain.
Toothache tea: You can use a teabag (ordinary black tea) as a compress to ease your toothache. Soak it in hot or warm water, and then apply to the sore tooth. The astringency in the tea’s tannins will help relieve swollen gums and reduce pain.
Spicy-hot relief: The next time your tooth hurts, reach out for the spice rack! Combine powdered ginger and cayenne pepper in a small bowl, and then add enough water to form a thick paste. Coat a cotton ball with the paste, then place in your mouth directly on the painful tooth. Try to avoid touching your tongue and gums, as this will burn! If you can stand the heat, wait until the pain subsides before you remove it. Both ginger and cayenne are fantastic pain relievers; if you are out of both the spices, try a turmeric paste using the same technique.
Peppermint: Peppermint not only tastes refreshing, it also offers anti-inflammatory and anesthetic powers. Boil one cup of water and add two teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves or a peppermint tea bag. Cover for 10-15 minutes and let it cool. Strain out the leaves or remove the tea bag, then sip and swish until your pain subsides. Peppermint oil works on tooth pain too. Sop up some oil with a cotton ball and press against the sore tooth. If using fresh peppermint leaves, simply chew one to two leaves and then apply the leaves to the painful tooth. After a few minutes, remove the leaves and rinse your mouth with a salt-water solution.
Ginger root: Along with a host of other healing benefits, ginger root can also ease a painful toothache. For the most effective pain relief, cut and peel a fresh slice of ginger root. Then, chew it with the painful tooth, allowing the juice of the root to reach the painful areas.
Turmeric: This miracle herb, which is also known to fight cancer, soothe arthritis pain, and protect your liver can work wonders for a pesky toothache. Simply mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder with water to make a thick paste. With a cotton ball, apply the paste to the affected tooth and see the magic.
Chamomile: To keep the pain of swollen or bleeding gums or a tooth infection at bay, a chamomile mouth rinse could do the trick. Simply pour warm water into a cup with a chamomile tea bag, vanilla essence and lemon juice. After brushing your teeth, swish the chamomile mix in your mouth, rinse your mouth and spit it out. This rinse helps soothe swelling due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
