Ease Toothache at Home: Effective Remedies

If you are suffering from a toothache, you likely don’t want to wait for an appointment with your dentist to receive relief. Here are a few of our top tips for how to ease toothache at home until you can have the issue looked at by a professional.

Saltwater Rinse Preparation for Toothache

When you’re facing a toothache, the discomfort can be challenging to manage. But a simple saltwater rinse could offer some relief. This traditional remedy has stood the test of time for a reason. Here’s how a saltwater rinse can provide a gentle respite from your toothache.

What You’ll Need:

• Warm water
• Table salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Solution: Begin by warming up some water; you’ll want it warm, but not hot, to avoid exacerbating your toothache. Dissolve about half a teaspoon of table salt into the water.
2. Rinse: With your saltwater blend ready, take a generous sip and swish it around your mouth. Target the area where the discomfort is at its worst, but let the solution work its way around all your teeth. Aim for 30 seconds to allow the saltwater to work.
3. Spit, Don’t Swallow: After you’ve given the rinse ample time, spit it out. Ingesting the solution isn’t recommended, especially on an empty stomach.
4. Repeat as Needed: This rinse can be used several times a day to manage discomfort. It’s a soothing way to ease the situation until you can make it to the dentist.

Why It Works:
Saltwater acts as a natural disinfectant. It helps flush away irritating debris from around your teeth, alleviates that throbbing feeling by reducing inflammation, and promotes healing for minor mouth sores.¹

While a saltwater rinse is effective for temporary relief and minor discomfort, it is not an alternative to professional dental care. If your toothache persists, consulting with your dentist is crucial to address the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.

Applying Cold Compress for Toothache

When toothache strikes, reaching for a cold compress could offer some relief. Let’s uncover why such a simple solution might offer respite from the nagging pain.

Grab an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas. Wrap it in a thin towel to protect your skin from direct contact with the cold. Apply the wrapped compress to the outside of your cheek, over the aching area. Keep it in place for about 15-20 minutes.

Why does this method work? The cold temperature helps narrow blood vessels around the affected area. This reduces blood flow, which can decrease swelling—a common sidekick of toothaches. The cold can also interrupt pain signals sent to the brain, granting you some relief.²

Reapplying a cold compress every few hours can continue to fend off discomfort. Remember, it’s about gentle and intermittent application.

Despite the relief a cold compress can bring, it’s crucial to remember it’s not a permanent solution. A toothache might be a signal alerting you to a deeper issue. Visiting the dentist for a comprehensive check-up is important.

Reaching for a cold compress is a practical stride towards solace from toothache pain. It offers a breather as you plan your visit to the dentist for a definitive resolution.

Garlic Remedy for Toothache

Let’s talk about an age-old remedy that many swear by – garlic. The same kitchen staple that adds flavor to our foods can also help with oral health. How? Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which is released when garlic is crushed. Allicin has antibacterial and pain-relieving properties, which can be beneficial for toothaches caused by bacteria.³

To use garlic, take a fresh clove and crush it to release its juice. You can then directly apply this crushed garlic or its juice to the affected tooth. If the raw bite of garlic feels too strong, you can blend it with a pinch of salt to mitigate the sharpness while still being effective against pain.

Remember, the taste of garlic can be strong and linger, so it might be best used in the evenings at home. And while garlic can offer temporary relief, it isn’t a cure-all. Deep-seated dental issues require professional intervention.

Consider garlic as a first-aid measure: readily available, easy to apply, and with promising pain-relief potential. Yet, this doesn’t replace booking a dentist appointment. Only a qualified professional can diagnose the root cause of your toothache and provide a lasting solution.

Toothache Home Remedies You Have on Hand

Home remedies like garlic can provide prompt, temporary relief from tooth pain. But comprehensive dental care is irreplaceable. Next time a toothache strikes, reaching for a clove of garlic could be a wise first step, followed by a visit to the dentist to secure both immediate comfort and long-term oral health.

1. Ravi R, Rowland K. Salt water rinses: a review of the literature. British Dental Journal. 2021;231(7):447-451.
2. Greenstein G. Therapeutic efficacy of cold therapy after intraoral surgical procedures: a literature review. Journal of Periodontology. 2007;78(5):790-800.
3. Ankri S, Mirelman D. Antimicrobial properties of allicin from garlic. Microbes and Infection. 1999;1(2):125-129.