Home Remedies For Toothache: 7 Solutions That WORK [Not Hurt!]

Toothaches can be painful and unbearable. Worst of all, they pop up at the most inconvenient times. A trip to the dentist can also cost time and money, and there may not be any available when you need them. Learning a quick home remedy for a toothache could help you manage the pain and maybe even save you a trip to the dentist.

Of course, these remedies aren’t meant to replace the dentist. Natural remedies at home can be a fantastic way to boost your oral health, but annual checkups are still necessary. But, if you need toothache relief right away, here are some of the best ways to help you manage that pain!

What is a Toothache?

A toothache is characterized by throbbing pains in the tooth or the gums surrounding it. Toothaches can be a sign of tooth damage or an infection, which can also cause sharp, painful sensations.

Toothache pain can range from mild to severe discomfort, and it can stay constant or come in waves. Some other symptoms you might experience from a toothache are:

• Bad breath
• Sharp, throbbing pains
• Swelling
• Tenderness or extreme sensitivity
• Burning sensations
• Fever

How Do Toothaches Start?

Inside the tooth is the tooth pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and tissues that keep it healthy. When the tooth pulp becomes infected or inflamed, it can lead to a condition called pulpitis, or more commonly known as a “toothache.”

If infections are left untreated, they can cause pain to the nerves in the tooth. Two types of pulpitis may be causing your toothaches — reversible and irreversible.

Reversible pulpitis is often mild inflammation that may have created a cavity in your tooth. Although the cavity isn’t painful at first, your teeth may become more sensitive to sweet or cold foods. If you have reversible pulpitis, you’ll want to get your cavity filled ASAP to prevent foods and bacteria from infecting your tooth pulp.

Irreversible pulpitis is a more severe form of toothache that may require emergency dental treatment, such as a root canal. Irreversible pulpitis occurs when bacteria has already spread to the tooth pulp, causing significant decay and inflammation. The pain can be severe enough to prevent a person from sleeping or functioning.

In many cases, people affected by irreversible pulpitis typically experience tooth damage and pulp death. As the tooth dies and begins to rot, it can be extremely painful and requires immediate attention. If pulpitis is not treated early enough, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, including the brain.

What Causes Toothaches?

The most common cause of toothaches is tooth decay or infections. Tooth decay, or cavities, is caused by an excess of sugar or bacteria that is not cleaned properly, which can lead to damaged surfaces or tiny holes in your teeth. It’s important to keep a good oral care routine to reduce the risk of suffering tooth pain.

Some of the most common causes for toothaches are:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Gingivitis (gum disease)
• Cracked tooth leading to infections
• Impacted tooth, usually a wisdom tooth that has trouble growing in
• Sinus infection, which can affect upper teeth
• Damaged cavity filling
• Constant teeth grinding or clenching

Are Toothaches Common?

Mild toothaches might occur from time to time, but just because it’s minor does not mean you should ignore it. Toothaches always happen for a reason, and if the pain continues to persist, you should probably book a dentist appointment right away!

Natural Home Remedies for Toothache

By learning a few natural toothache remedies at home, you can help ease some of the initial pain you may be experiencing. More importantly, you can concoct many of these remedies with your typical everyday household ingredients!

These remedies are only meant to provide temporary relief, not a cure or treatment. To ensure your oral health is in check, consult a dentist just to rule and resolve any major concerns. With that being said, check out some of our favorite, simple methods of managing those pesky toothaches!

Saltwater Rinse

Saltwater is a very traditional but effective method for treating oral issues. Salt can effectively kill some of the bacteria lingering in your mouth and loosen any food particles stuck in between your teeth.

Salt is an amazing ingredient that has many anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties. It is one of the most popular, traditional methods for treating cuts and scrapes. Using a salt water rinse can help reduce inflammation and treat wounds inside your mouth or on your gums.

For best results, add one teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of warm water. Use the mixture as a mouthwash and rinse thoroughly to clean the affected area.

Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse

Hydrogen peroxide is another way effective way to get rid of bacteria and plaque inside your mouth. It acts much like saltwater and can help treat inflammation and even heal bleeding gums. It provides great temporary pain relief for any toothache.

But, remember that hydrogen peroxide is not recommended for children because swallowing the solution can be extremely harmful. For adults, always rinse your mouth a few times with plain water after using hydrogen peroxide to avoid poisoning.

For best results, use equal parts water and 3% hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash. Rinse thoroughly, and remember not to swallow any by accident!

Cold Compress

Ice is a tried and true toothache home remedy that works almost every time.  The cold can restrict the blood vessels and blood flow to the affected areas, which helps reduce swelling or inflammation. The cold can also help numb your mouth to feel less pain.

This method works well for people coming off dental injury or operation. Simply apply an ice pack or other cold object (like a bag of frozen vegetables) to the cheek area closest to your toothache. Apply for 15-20 minutes at a time and repeat as necessary.

Peppermint Tea

The menthol in peppermint has numbing and antibacterial properties that can help you deal with tooth pain. Known for its fresh, minty scent, peppermint tea can provide soothing effects and hopefully help you ease the pain. You can drink the tea, rinse with it like mouthwash, or press the tea bags over the swelling.

Use hot water when making the tea to release the wonderful aromas and beneficial compounds of the peppermint. Allow the tea bags to cool down a bit before applying to the affected areas. You can also alternate between cold and warm tea bags to switch between numbing and soothing sensations.

CBD Oil

CBD is a special compound with many surprising therapeutic benefits — one being an aid for toothaches! Many people started using CBD oil to help manage their ailments because the cannabinoid helps support the body and mind in key ways. Our CBD oil is made with hemp seed oil, which has many natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

In addition to relieving discomfort, products like CBD gummies can also help improve sleep, enhance mood, and boost appetite. When you’re suffering from a toothache, all of those effects are handy! CBD is a fantastic all-natural, organic option for toothaches and other types of soreness.

Clove Oil

Cloves are a unique spice that contains high levels of eugenol, a chemical known for its anesthetic and pain-relieving properties. The spice also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help kill the bacteria causing your toothache.

The best way to use this excellent spice is to get a bottle of clove oil and a cotton ball. Soak the cotton ball with a small amount of clove oil and apply it to the painful tooth. You can also add a few drops of clove oil to water and rinse your mouth with the solution.

Garlic

Garlic has many uses for your health and wellness, and it can help relieve your aching tooth. It contains high amounts of allicin, a compound known for its antibacterial properties. The allicin in garlic can fight bacteria in your mouth.

Garlic is a fantastic natural remedy that may help get rid of your toothaches. You can crush it up, mix it with a bit of salt, and apply it as a paste to the affected area!

Other Natural Toothache Home Remedies

There is a whole host of natural remedies that may be able to dull the pain of your throbbing tooth. Many of these ingredients have natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help treat wounds and infections. You can crush up most of these remedies or boil them to use as a mouth-rinsing solution.

• Guava leaves
• Thyme
• Wheatgrass
• Vanilla extract
• Mango bark
• Sweet potato leaves
• Sunflower leaves
• And many more!

Can a Toothache Go Away on its Own?

Typically, minor toothaches that stem from pain around the tooth and not inside can go away within a few days. Pain from gum irritation may also vanish within a few days. Using some of the home remedies we mentioned can hasten the process and save you a trip to the dentist’s office!

How to Sleep With Tooth Pain

Most of the home remedies listed here can help act as a temporary pain reliever until you get to a dentist. Using mouthwash or an ice pack can numb the pain to help you sleep through the night.

Try some of the following methods to help you with your tooth pain at bedtime:

• Avoid cold, hard, or acidic foods before bed
• Keep head elevated to prevent blood from reaching the mouth area
• Use over-the-counter pain medication like Advil or Tylenol to relieve some of the pain
• Sleep with an ice pack on your face, wrapped in cloth
• Take CBD oil to relax

Final Thoughts – Home Remedies for Toothache

Toothaches can be excruciatingly painful and annoying, so it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene throughout your life. But, in the off-chance that toothaches do occur, keeping some of these home remedies around the house may help you stay better prepared. Remember, these remedies don’t replace professional dental care, so don’t forget to stick to your dentist appointments and checkups!