Good Home Remedies for a Toothache

About 34% of Canadians have dental needs at any given time. Some of these needs are indicated by toothaches! Are you experiencing a toothache? Toothaches can be distracting. It’s hard to get through the day when it’s difficult to eat or speak. What can you do to soothe your toothache at home until you’re able to get to your local dentist in Toronto? We’re here with a few suggestions. Read on for our favorite home remedies for toothaches that use tools and ingredients that are easily accessible.

Saltwater or Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse

This is one of the easiest home solutions for a toothache. It’s effective for both short-term pain that may result from minor trauma and long-term pain that will require future dental care. It even works if you have sore gums or canker sores. When you rinse your mouth out, you may dislodge any potential debris that could be causing your pain. You’re also disinfecting the area. We don’t recommend rinsing with an alcohol-based mouthwash without consulting with your dentist first as it may increase your pain. Saltwater is the most common rinse for tooth pain. It’s a natural disinfectant and it’s easy to make at home. Many dentists recommend gentle saltwater rinses after oral surgery or tooth extractions. Mix 1/2 of a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Use the water just as you’d use mouthwash. You can do the same thing with hydrogen peroxide. It’s another disinfectant. Many people use hydrogen peroxide on wounds, so there’s no reason that you can’t use it in your mouth. Mix equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water and use it as you’d use mouthwash. Avoid swallowing both types of rinses.

Clove

Clove is one of the most classic home toothache remedy options. It’s been used medicinally for centuries for pain relief and more. This household ingredient packs a punch and you can get it at the grocery store. We recommend keeping clove oil in your medicine cabinet at all times. Get your clove oil and put a few drops in a carrier oil, like (liquid) coconut oil or jojoba oil. Dampen a cotton pad or cotton ball with the oil and place the cotton in your mouth. You can also use gauze if you have it on hand. Leave the cotton or gauze in your mouth for several minutes. You can do this several times per day. Alternatively, you could combine this with the previous home remedy and mix a few drops of clove water into a glass of warm water to make a rinse.

Cold Compress

If your mouth is swollen and sore, a cold compress is a great solution. You have everything you need at home so this is a great short-term immediate solution. If you don’t have an ice pack handy, anything in your freezer will work in a pinch. A bag of ice cubes or even a bag of frozen vegetables will suffice! Wrap your cold item in a thin towel so it’s still cold to the touch, but it won’t hurt your skin. Hold your new cold compress against the affected area for as long as it’s comfortable.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-Counter medications are your best bet when it comes to treating a toothache at home. While this isn’t a “home remedy” per se, it’s more effective than many of your other options. Go to your local pharmacy to find anti-inflammatory medications. These should dull the pain enough to make it tolerable. If it’s short-term pain due to temporary inflammation, it may solve the problem entirely. You can also get oral anesthetic ointments for toothaches. When you rub it on your gums, you should feel a tingling sensation before the area feels numb. It’s not as effective as the anesthetic you get when you visit the dentist, but it’s effective. Note that clove works similarly to the oral anesthetic ointment.

Peppermint Teabags

Teabags may be effective for solving mild toothaches. Keep in mind that tea can stain your teeth, so this should only be a short-term solution. If your toothache persists, you’ll need to find a better option. Brew some peppermint tea and set the tea aside for later. Take the teabag and wait for it to cool down. You can put it in your mouth when it’s warm, but not hot to the touch. Alternatively, you can put the teabag in the freezer, but many people find that their toothaches cause temperature sensitivity. Hold the teabag against the affected tooth to soothe the pain.

When to Contact a Dentist

So when should you ditch the home remedies and try talking to your dentist instead? There are some situations in which pain is temporary and no cause for concern. These include things like previous fillings, debris being caught between your teeth, or canker sores that may feel like toothaches. Longer-term is usually an indication that something is wrong. It may be the result of a cracked tooth, an impacted tooth, or a cavity. If home remedies don’t make the pain go away and it lasts longer than several days, it’s time to contact an emergency dentist in Toronto before the problem gets worse. They can evaluate the situation and make sure you get the care you need.

Come See Your Local Dentist in Toronto

Toothaches are a real pain, but these home remedies can take the edge off so you can go about your day. You can use ingredients that you have at home or that you can find at your local pharmacy to soothe your pain. If you’re experiencing tooth or gum pain that won’t go away, it’s time to talk to a dentist in Toronto for help. At Bond Street Dental, we’re open 7 days per week to make sure that we can help you when you need it. Contact us to set up an appointment today.