Some things in life instantly make your mood go downhill: slow wi-fi, long traffic jams, and losing an earbud. Tooth pain, however, can turn your whole week upside down. The throbbing soreness makes it hard to work, sleep, and eat. On top of it all, you’re not sure why it happens. Could it be an infection or a sign to remove your wisdom tooth? Ideally, the first person you call for help is your dentist. But let’s be honest: securing an emergency appointment at a dental clinic is unlikely (sigh).
What Makes Tooth Pain Worse?
Besides the inflammation of the dentin, other conditions could cause your toothache to worsen. Your treating doctor can identify any of these:
- Gum disease
- Swollen gums from tooth decay
- Eruption of wisdom tooth
- Sinusitis
- Jaw injury
Tooth Pain First Aid
While waiting for a check-up, take matters into your hands by finding emergency toothache relief. It may not address the cause, but it will help you endure the days between now and your dental visit. You have a lot of options to choose from. Wondering how to stop tooth pain fast? See if you have these home remedies at home and try them yourself.
1. Apple cider vinegar
Swollen gums that bleed when brushing teeth are a hallmark of gingivitis. Sometimes, it comes with bad breath and pain that shoots to the teeth, jaw, and ear. If you recognise these symptoms, apple cider vinegar (AVC) can help disinfect inflamed gums. A study published in Cureus reveals the efficacy of ACV in removing dental plaque and killing bacteria, the two possible causes of gum infection.
While ACV is worth trying as a toothache remedy, don’t go overboard. It is very acidic, which can erode enamel, leading to tooth decay. A way to reap its benefits and none of the cons is to use it after brushing your teeth. Fluoride from toothpaste makes enamel more resistant to acid. Soak up some ACV using a Q-tip, then dab it on the inflamed part.
2. Salt water as a mouthwash
Using mouthwash after teeth brushing is a good dental care practice. However, mouthwash typically contains alcohol to preserve and enhance its efficacy. Alcohol can dry out your mouth and irritate your affected teeth and gums. One of the simplest alternatives is a saltwater rinse. Salt is a natural antiseptic with no reported side effects, and you probably already have it on your dinner table. A 2016 study shows saline mouthwash helps soothe inflammation and heal mouth ulcers.
Make your DIY salt mouthwash by mixing half a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water. Swish it around your mouth for two minutes and spit it out. Do this three times a day for maximum results.
3. Aloe vera
This medicinal plant needs no introduction. For centuries, the beauty industry has been revering aloe vera as a skin moisturiser and hair mask. Adding to the long list of aloe vera uses is tooth pain relief. The gel has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and analgesic properties that can alleviate toothache. In the Benefits of Aloe Vera in Dentistry study, researchers learned that this succulent worked well in helping patients with gingivitis and cavities.
Do a patch test on your skin before applying it to your mouth. If you don’t feel any itchiness or a burning sensation, then get your gloves ready and harvest some aloe leaves (store-bought is okay, too!). Cut one end of the leave and soak it in water for 15 minutes to release the bitter sap. Next, peel the leaf and scoop the gel into your blender or food processor. Blend it until it becomes a gooey liquid, which you can apply directly to your tooth or gum.
4. Garlic
Garlic’s reputation for being a vampire slayer is mere hearsay, but its benefits for oral health are all facts. Chewing raw garlic releases allicin, an enzyme that balances the ratio of good and bad bacteria inside your mouth. It translates to lowered risks of tooth decay and gum diseases, according to a 2021 study. Unfortunately, allicin is hypersensitive to heat. So, you must endure the raw pungent smell and taste.
You can either chew or rub raw garlic paste to alleviate your tooth pain. Let it sit for a few minutes so the garlic can do its magic.
5. Cinnamon
Here’s a little fun fact: healthy enamel is smooth. Roughness indicates oral problems, such as tartar buildup and corrosion. If your teeth feel rough or fuzzy, cinnamon is your go-to ingredient. Like aloe vera, cinnamon inhibits bacterial growth, preventing your tooth pain from worsening. The Journal of Physics: Conference Series reports that using cinnamon in mouthwash can reduce tooth enamel roughness.
Cinnamon is not the best-tasting spice when consumed on its own. Mix cinnamon powder with honey and apply it directly to your tooth. A more practical way to utilise cinnamon is by diluting it in warm water as a mouth rinse. Add baking soda to rebalance the acidity if you have sensitive teeth.
As your tooth pain becomes more bearable, keep in mind that you still have an appointment with your dentist. They know what’s best for your teeth. Tell them if your toothache is a recurring issue. It might have something to do with your teeth alignment. Unlike braces, clear aligners like ClearCorrect are nearly invisible. Its stain-resistant ClearQuartz technology delivers consistent and gentle push to align your teeth. Plus, you can still eat whatever you want without discomfort. Make sure to check out all your options to rid yourself of that ache.
References:
Asaad, N., & Laflouf, M. (2022). Effectiveness of Apple Cider Vinegar and Mechanical Removal on Dental Plaque and Gingival Inflammation of Children With Cerebral Palsy. Cureus.
Huynh, N., Everts, V., Leethanakul, C., Pavasant, P., & Ampornaramveth, R. S. (2016). Rinsing with Saline Promotes Human Gingival Fibroblast Wound Healing In Vitro. PLOS ONE, 11(7), e0159843.
Mangaiyarkarasi, S., Manigandan, T., Elumalai, M., Cholan, P. K., & Kaur, R. P. (2015). Benefits of Aloe vera in dentistry. Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, 7(5), 255.
Nurmalasari, D., Damiyanti, M., & Eriwati, Y. K. (2018). Effect of cinnamon extract solution on human tooth enamel surface roughness. Journal of Physics.
Sasi, M., Kumar, S., Kumar, M., Thapa, S., Prajapati, U., Tak, Y., Changan, S., Saurabh, V., Kumari, S., Kumar, A., Hasan, M., Chandran, D., R., Punia, S., Dhumal, S. S., Senapathy, M., Thiyagarajan, A., Alhariri, A., Dey, A., . . . Mekhemar, M. (2021). Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Bioactives and Its Role in Alleviating Oral Pathologies. Antioxidants, 10(11), 1847.
