If you’re experiencing a toothache, your immediate concern is to relieve the pain. Whether it’s a sharp, intermittent, dull or constant pain, a toothache can be an unforgiving annoyance, and it can even ruin your day or sleep. 

Since you want the pain to go away as soon as possible, you may wonder if there are any natural remedies for a toothache to try at home. As a dental clinic, we always advise our patients to visit us when they’re experiencing any issues with their teeth and gums. 

But when tooth pain strikes, you can turn to these home remedies for temporary relief until you can schedule professional intervention:

Cold Compress

To help stop swelling and temporarily reduce pain, hold a cold compress against your cheek for 20 minutes. If you don’t have a cold compress, you can always make one at home by:

1. Putting ice in a sealable, water-tight bag
2. Filling the bag with water and squeezing the air out of it
3. Wrapping it in a cloth and applying it to the affected area

Don’t have any ice available either? Freeze some water in a bag, use frozen fruits or veggies, or try putting a damp towel into the freezer.

Clove Oil

Clove oil can temporarily reduce pain and swelling associated with a toothache. Here’s a simple method to apply clove oil to your toothache:

1. Dip a tissue or cotton swab into the clove oil
2. Gently wipe the oil on the sensitive areas of your teeth and gum

You should be mindful that clove oil has an unpleasant taste and negative side effects (seizures and liver damage) when ingested in large amounts so use sparingly on a small cotton pad. It should only be used by an adult or older child and with care. 

Salt Water Rinse

If your tooth hurts and your gums are swollen, rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can offer temporary relief. Add a teaspoon of salt into a large glass of warm water, then swish the mixture in your mouth. In addition to easing the pain, saltwater can draw out excess fluid around the swollen gum tissues.

Over The Counter Pain Medications

Tooth pain medication can also offer temporary relief. While this may not be a natural remedy, it’s still likely that you may have some over-the-counter medicine at home. Some people keep medicines or a first aid kit that could help provide temporary relief for your toothache. When you’re taking any medication, be sure to follow the dosing and application instructions provided on the package. 

While these remedies can provide temporary relief, you shouldn’t consider them a replacement for professional oral care. To diagnose and treat the cause of pain, it’s crucial to visit a dentist. Ignoring a tooth problem will only allow the condition to worsen over time which can lead to further damage to the tooth and surrounding tissue. This may result in a spread of infection and the need for tooth extraction.

At Dental Image Therapy Centres, we provide quality dental services to all patients in Winnipeg. We are proud to offer same-day appointments in case of a dental emergency like a toothache. If you’re dealing with any pain in your mouth, book an appointment with us immediately so you can get a treatment plan right away. You can find us at St. Vital Centre and Garden City Shopping Centre.