Toothaches are horrible and the pain can spread to other parts of your body, especially your head and neck. Some of the main causes of toothaches are cavities, infection, exposed tooth root, cracked tooth, gum disease, loose filling, or jaw joint disorder.
When in pain, see your dentist ASAP to get immediate treatments. But if youβre in the situation where itβs impossible to go to your dentist, you can use home remedies to get short-term relief. Here are some you can try:
Read also: recommended dentists in Jakarta.
Salt and warm water
This is probably the most common and most effective emergency remedy for toothaches. Salt and warm water has long been known to provide relief for toothaches. This simple solution will draw out the fluids from the gums that are causing the irritation and help reduce the aching sensation.
Simply mix 1 tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water, and then rinsing/gargling will provide the relief. This can be repeated if necessary.
Garlic
Garlic has been used for its medicinal properties, which include allicin, a chemical that might relieve pain and act as an anti-inflammatory.
You can make a garlic paste by crushing garlic clove with some table salt using mortar and pestle. If the paste is too dry, you can add a few drops of olive oil. Apply the paste to the affected tooth and hold in the mouth for at least 30 minutes. The pain should subside with continued use, up to four times a day.
Cloves
Cloves have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant and anesthetic properties that help alleviate tooth pain and fight infection. A simple remedy for a toothache consists of placing a few whole cloves in your mouth, moistening them with saliva until they soften, then bruising them between your non-painful molars to release their pain-relieving oil. Hold the cloves against your painful tooth for up to 30 minutes before discarding them and beginning the process again.
Ice (cold compress)
Sometimes toothaches are followed by swelling, especially if youβve chipped or knocked it loose. Swelling could also mean you have an abscess, a sac of pus and gunk deep in the roots of your tooth. This can cause serious infection in your jaw and other teeth.
If your face is swollen because of the pain, put an ice pack on your cheek, as it may help ease the pain. Remember that this is only for emergency pain relief; see your dentist as soon as possible to get treatment.
Citrus
Although it may be a bit sour, lemons and limes can also provide relief from a toothache. The high amounts of citric acid and vitamin C present in both fruits can destroy bacteria and support your immune system.
To relieve the toothache, prepare the lemons and limes by cutting them into slices, bite into them partially to release the juice, and then place into sore areas.
Onion
The antiseptic properties of the onion will kill the bacteria in the mouth, which contributes to the pain. It can provide relief from pain by killing the germs causing the infection.
At the first sign of a toothache, chew raw onion for a few minutes to relieve the pain. If you are not able to chew it, you can place a raw onion directly on the bad tooth or gum.
OTC pain relievers
Dentists suggest acetaminophen for toothaches on children. For adults, you can use ibuprofen or aspirin to relief the pain. If you opt for aspirin, donβt put it right on the tooth or your gums as it doesnβt work and might harm the inside of your mouth.
