Toothaches can come out of nowhere; you’re diligently working at your desk when suddenly a sharp pain ignites in your mouth. Or maybe you wake up with the deep throb in your gums, so strong that you can feel your pulse in sync with the pain.
Whatever type of toothache you have, there are ways to relieve tooth pain fast and at home. These five DIY toothache remedies will help take the edge off and hold you over until you can pay a visit to your dentist. All of these remedies are easy to whip up, so whether you’re at home or travelling, relief can be found till you can get to a dentist to find out what the problem is.
Salt Water
It may taste yucky, but rinsing your mouth with a cup of warm water mixed with a tablespoon of salt can actually work wonders. The salt draws out the bacteria and fluids that cause pain and swelling, so head to the bathroom and swish some salt water around. Make sure to gargle to get any bacteria lingering in the back of the mouth and throat before you spit.
Hydrogen Peroxide
There’s a reason why you’re always supposed to keep a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in the house. It has dozens of unexpected uses, including treating toothaches! Just swish, gargle and spit a mouthful to help kill bacteria causing you pain. If it’s too strong, you can also dilute it with water.
Garlic
It might not work for a vampire with an aching fang, but anti-bacterial garlic can surely offer humans some reprieve! Crush one clove of fresh garlic and hold it on the inside of your cheek against the tooth that hurts most. If you want a stronger, longer lasting recipe, combine the crushed clove with sea salt and a bit of water to make a paste that you can apply directly to the culprit tooth.
Ice
Avoid reaching for a heating pad to soothe your aching tooth. Ice is a better choice since it both reduces inflammation and numbs the afflicted area. Just wrap a couple cubes in a soft hand towel and apply it to the side of the toothache.
After the ice pack, you can move to a warm compress for added relief, but make sure that any warm compress is warm and not hot. Avoid any foods on either side of the temperature scale too; stick to a lukewarm, liquid diet that doesn’t contain a lot of sugar or any other irritants.
Tea Bags
A nice, warm cup of tea can help you relax as well as relieve your toothache. Remove a tea bag from a freshly brewed cup and place it directly on the aching tooth. Bite down gently, but don’t apply any pressure or continue if this causes more pain. This should offer some temporary relief so you can make it through the rest of the day or, if it’s nighttime, get some pain-free sleep.
Warning Signs
While there are plenty of great DIY toothache cures to try, you should see your dentist if a toothache doesn’t go away on its own within a day or two. Also, if you experience nausea, a fever, chills, an ear or headache, red, swollen gums, discharge with a bad taste or any difficulty breathing or swallowing, consult a medical doctor right away as these may mean you’re suffering from a more serious condition.
If you’re otherwise okay, try out these DIY remedies. Hopefully, they can bring you the relief you need so you can enjoy the rest of your day pain-free!
