7 Ways To Deal With A Sore Tooth At Home

1 October 2015
 Categories: Dentist, Articles

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Whether it is caused by decay or an accident, a sore tooth can make it a lot more difficult to get through the day. The sharp pain makes it nearly impossible to concentrate at work or any of your other everyday tasks. While it is ideal to get to the dentist right away, it is not always possible. The good news is that you can find temporary relief at home. Here are seven effective ways to deal with a sore tooth at home:

Wash Your Mouth With Salt Water

One of the most common ways to deal with a painful tooth at home is to rinse with salt water. The combination of salt and warm water rinses away the debris and reduces swelling, lessening the pain. Just put a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and swish it in your mouth for 30 seconds. Then, spit it out. You can use this treatment several times a day.

Use Clove Oil

Clove oil, derived from a clove plant in Indonesia and India, has been known to relieve toothaches. According to the New York Times, this oil's analgesic and antibacterial properties reduce tooth pain. Just put a few drops of clove oil on a cotton ball and place it on the sore tooth until the pain goes away. Be careful not to swallow any of this oil, because it can lead to respiratory and liver problems.

Try Tea

Tea can do much more than relieve a sore throat; it can also soothe a toothache. The tannins in it are effective at reducing swelling, which lessens a lot of the pain you feel. After you let the tea steep for approximately 20 minutes, swish it in your mouth for a minute or two. You can swallow the tea or spit it out in the sink.

Give Myrrh a Chance

Myrrh is a resin that can reduce inflammation and and kill bacteria. If you apply it directly to your sore tooth, it can relieve a lot of the pain. All you have to do is simmer one teaspoon of this resin in water for about a half an hour. Once it cools, rinse it around in your mouth for 30 seconds or so. You can repeat this treatment up to six times a day.

Put Chewing Gum Over a Crack

If you have cracked or chipped a tooth, you can place a piece of chewing gum on it to take away some of the discomfort. Leaving the gum in place can make things bearable until you are able to see a dentist.

Take Advantage of Garlic

Garlic is not just good for adding flavor to your food; it can also relieve tooth pain. It contains antibiotic properties that reduce inflammation and discomfort. Just crush a garlic clove with a fork and apply it to the sore tooth until the pain subsides. You can also get relief from chewing the garlic clove.

Use Ice

Plain old ice can relieve a lot of different ailments, including toothaches. Just put a few ice cubes in a plastic bag and place it against the painful tooth for 15 to 20 minutes. The ice will numb the nerves, which will take a lot of the pain away.

If you follow these helpful tips, you can relieve a toothache at home. However, understand that these remedies are only temporary. It is very important to see a dentist, like those at Hernandez Dental, as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse your tooth will get. Your dentist will determine what is causing the pain and the best way to treat it.