Natural Remedies for Toothaches

Pain, swelling, redness, and other symptoms around your teeth and jaws could indicate an oral health problem. If your pain is severe or persists for more than a day or two, call an emergency dentist in NYC and request a same-day appointment. A dental professional can recommend personalized ways to treat your toothache and perform any necessary interventions. In the meantime, try these seven natural remedies for toothaches to relieve your pain at home.

1. Rinse with saltwater: This simple tip is the first treatment most people try. It’s fast, easy, and effective for minor toothaches. Simply mix 1/2 teaspoon into a small glass of warm water and swish it around your mouth to reduce inflammation and help oral wounds heal faster.
2. Apply a cold compress: If your cheek feels hot and swollen, wrap an ice pack or bag of frozen peas with a towel and hold it to the achy area for 20 minutes at a time. Repeat every few hours throughout the day to help reduce the swelling.
3. Rinse with diluted hydrogen peroxide: This mild antiseptic kills bacteria and can help bleeding gums heal faster. A safe, effective rinse consists of one part 3% hydrogen peroxide and one part water. Alternatively, you can buy hydrogen peroxide-based mouthwash at a drugstore or pharmacy.
4. Apply peppermint tea bags: After steeping a bag of peppermint tea, place the used bag in the freezer for a few minutes. Then, apply the wet, chilled bag to your achy tooth to soothe and numb the affected area.
5. Apply vanilla extract: The antioxidants and alcohol in vanilla can help relieve your pain. Dampen a cotton swab with vanilla extract (not imitation vanilla) and apply it to the sore area a few times per day.
6. Chew garlic: The antibacterial and pain-relieving properties of garlic make it an effective toothache remedy. Slowly chew on a clove of garlic with your achy tooth or apply a crushed garlic paste around the affected area.
7. Apply diluted clove or thyme: These essential oils have healing properties that may help your toothache. For a safe, effective remedy, dilute the clove or thyme oil with a carrier oil, such as sunflower or jojoba oil, at a ratio of 15 drops of clove or thyme oil to one ounce of carrier oil. Dip a cotton swab into this mixture and apply it to the affected area a few times per day. Alternatively, you can add a drop of clove or thyme oil to a small glass of water and use it as a mouthwash.

A severe toothache could indicate an abscess, dental decay, teeth grinding, or periodontal disease, so don’t ignore your symptoms if the above natural remedies prove ineffective. Park 56 Dental is your emergency dentist in NYC, serving the 10022 zip code area since 1997. Call us at (212) 826-2322 to schedule your same-day appointment with the best dentist in New York. We’ll diagnose the source of your toothache and begin the proper treatment without delay.