5 home remedies to relieve toothache

Some home remedies for toothache include cloves, placing a piece of garlic on your gums, gargling with warm salt water or using mint essential oil.

Toothache is quite uncomfortable and can affect all daily activities, even when it is relatively mild. Generally, this type of pain arises due to a specific cause, such as the presence of a cavity or a broken tooth, for example, and, therefore, consultation with a dentist is always essential.

Read too: Toothache: 6 main causes (and what to do)

However, while you wait for your appointment, there are some remedies that can be prepared at home with easy-to-find ingredients that help to alleviate the pain until the doctor makes a detailed assessment and recommends the best treatment.

Top home remedies

Some of the most proven home remedies for toothache are:

1. Clove

Clove is perhaps the most widely used natural remedy for toothache and its smell is often associated with the dentist’s office, as its essential oil, eugenol, is used in the formulation of the material that is often used in tooth filling. This happens because, several years ago, science identified that clove oil has excellent bactericidal and analgesic properties that help relieve toothache.

Therefore, cloves are a great option for relieving pain at home, especially because they are relatively easy to find and a cheap option. To use this remedy, you can lightly crush a clove and place it next to the tooth that seems to be the source of the pain.

It is also possible to use clove essential oil by placing 1 drop on a small piece of cotton and placing it next to the tooth. The important thing is to avoid contact for more than 2 minutes, as this essential oil can cause burning gums if used for a long time.

Clove essential oil can also be used as an elixir, making it a safer way to apply oil for toothache. To do this, simply put 3 to 4 drops of oil in ½ glass of warm water and then rinse your mouth. In this case, as the oil is more diluted, the effect on pain may be less.

2. Garlic in the gum

Garlic is another of the most used options and, although it is not the most pleasant, due to its intense flavor, it has several properties that help to quickly combat pain and even prevent the worsening of any infection that may be in the affected area.

To use garlic, you can cut a clove in half and apply the cut part directly against the gums of the affected tooth, or place the garlic clove on the painful tooth and chew the garlic. In the end, to remove the garlic smell, you can wash your teeth or rinse with an elixir, for example.

Read too: 7 health benefits of garlic (and how to use it)

3. Gargle with warm salt water

Warm salt water is an excellent natural antiseptic that is easy to prepare at home and can be used when you suspect a tooth infection. To do this, it is recommended to dissolve a tablespoon of salt in a glass of boiling water and then, using small sips, swish your entire mouth for at least 30 seconds.

This mixture is also widely used to combat sore throats, being recommended by doctors as a way to complement medical treatment. Check out how to use salt water for a sore throat and other homemade recipes.

4. Gargle with mint

The essential oil present in mint leaves is another powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory that can be used at home to relieve toothache. Furthermore, it has a great flavor, which makes it a good option to use for children over 5 years old, for example.

To use mint correctly, it is recommended to place 1 teaspoon of mint leaves in 1 cup of boiling water and let it rest for 20 minutes. Then, place a portion of the mixture in your mouth and swish for 30 seconds, 3 times a day.

5. Gargle with marcela tea

A good home remedy for toothache is to gargle with marcela tea and propolis, as it has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiseptic properties that can quickly relieve pain.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of dried marcela leaves;
• 30 drops of propolis extract;
• 1 liter of water.

Preparation mode

Place the dried marcela leaves in a pan and let it boil for approximately 5 minutes. Then turn off the heat, cover, wait until it is warm, add the propolis, mix well and consume immediately.

Also watch the following video and learn how to avoid toothache with our dentist’s tips: