Tooth pain, at times, is completely unbearable, and if you are suffering from one, you will want a remedy that is effective and gives results faster. Natural/herbal remedies will do just that. Tooth pain is a common ailment. A study by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey claims that over 90% of adults suffer from toothache. If your toothache is minor, or if going to a dentist is not an option, natural herbs for toothache can be helpful.
How Herbal Remedies Can Help Toothaches
With natural or herbal treatments(1) on the rise these days, it’s no surprise that using herbs for toothache can be an effective remedy. More than 80% of people with tooth problems use natural or self-medication for treating the pain, according to a study by NCBI.
Many herbs out there have medicinal properties, and regardless of their taste or scent, they are an effective treatment for toothache.
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10 Herbal Remedies for Toothache
These herbs for toothaches are natural remedies that can cure the tooth pain from within.
1. Clove Oil
Ground cloves or clove oil is one of the most popular remedies for toothache. It consists of eugenol, which is a natural antiseptic. Cloves contain active ingredients that numb the area they touch, and hence, have been used historically for tooth pain.
How to Use It
Mix a few drops of clove oil and olive oil in a bowl. Dip a cotton ball into the oil mix and then place it on the aching tooth. The antiseptic properties in clove oil will clean the tooth and also numb the area so that you will get instant pain relief.
[Also Read: Clove Oil for Toothache]
2. Turmeric
Turmeric(2) is known as instant teeth whitener despite its dark color. Using turmeric for toothache is the right choice since turmeric has antimicrobial properties that fight infection in the tooth.
[Also Read: Natural Remedies for Toothache ]
How to Use It
Add a teaspoon of turmeric to half a glass of water and rinse your mouth with it. This will prevent any tooth infections. You can even apply a paste of turmeric and milk on your gums to keep them healthy.
3. Ginger
Ginger has been known to sooth many kinds of pain, be it stomach ache or toothache. Ginger has antibacterial properties, making it a widely-used herb for toothache, especially when dealing with cavities.
How to Use It
Grind ginger roots to make a powder. Add a teaspoon of water to the ground ginger to make a paste and apply the paste directly on the aching tooth. The active ingredient raffinose in ginger can help prevent bacteria growth in your teeth.
4. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a potent remedy for toothache because of its antibacterial properties. It can not only slow or reduce tooth decay but is also a natural breath freshener.
How to Use It
Because it’s so powerful, tea tree oil should never be applied directly on the teeth. Dilute the tea tree oil with coconut and use a cotton ball to apply it to the aching tooth. The antibacterial properties in both tea tree and coconut oil will prevent bacteria growth in your teeth and gums.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a popular treatment for any inflammation or infection due to its soothing properties. If your pain is due to a new tooth growing, a non-toxic herb like aloe vera can soothe the toothache.
How to Use It
apply pure aloe vera gel to the aching area, and the teeth and gums will stop hurting and cool down a bit.
6. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is rich in calcium, which can help strengthen your teeth. Whole cinnamon also contains active ingredients that can relieve toothache temporarily.
How to Use It
Grind a cinnamon stick to a fine powder. Add 3 tablespoons of honey to one tablespoon of the cinnamon powder and make a paste. Apply the paste on the hurting tooth. This will not just help tooth decay but also relieve bad breath.
[ Read: Tea Bags for Toothache ]
7. Licorice Root
Primarily an ancient Chinese herb, Licorice root has also been claimed by the American Dental Association as an herb for curbing plaque and relieving toothache. It is advised to consult with your doctor once before taking licorice root since it can cause side effects with many antibiotics.
How to Use It
Chewing on the licorice root releases its antibacterial properties, which can reduce bacteria in teeth and gums. It is also used as an ingredient in many kinds of toothpaste because of its fragrant aroma.
8. Yarrow
Yarrow is an anesthetic herb, which helps heal wounds and relieve toothache. It also stops gum bleeding. The plant was used by Greeks in ancient times for healing wounds.
How to Use It
Wash fresh yarrow leaves and apply it on the affected area. This natural anesthetic will instantly relieve tooth pain.
9. Neem
Neem is being used in Ayurvedic practice for hundreds of years. Every part of the neem plant has one or the other healing property. People in ancient India chewed on neem twigs which prevent the rotting of the teeth and gum inflammation. The neem bark has antibacterial properties that can help reduce infection. Its consumption also boosts the immune system.
How to Use It
Mix a few drops of neem oil and coconut oil and apply it to the affected area. The antibacterial properties in this herb will help combat your toothache.
[Read: Essential Oils for Toothache]
10. Thyme
This aromatic herb is mostly used in cooking to add flavor to any dish. But thyme is also a strong antiseptic, making it an excellent herb for toothache. It also treats the buildup of bacteria in the mouth and acts as a natural breath freshener.
How to Use It
You can chew on fresh thyme leaves to relieve tooth pain or sip thyme tea for just as effective results. Thyme essential oil can also be applied directly to the aching tooth to alleviate pain faster. Thyme contains an active ingredient, thymol, which is an antifungal and can prevent bacteria from growing in teeth.
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Do You Need a Dentist?
Even if your toothache is not severe, it’s best to see a dentist in the initial stages to prevent further symptoms. Here are some examples of toothache that require a quick visit to the dentist:
- Severe toothache.
- Long-lasting pain that is for more than 1-2 days.
- The tooth pain is accompanied by fever or earache.
- Your mouth hurts when you open it wide.
If going to a dentist is not an immediate possibility, try using herbs for your toothache, to get some relief from the pain.
Toothache can be recurring or an infrequent occurrence, but treating it at the initial stages can prevent it from growing into any significant tooth problem. And, tooth decay is more common than you would think. As per the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, adults aged 20-64 have 3.28 decayed teeth, on an average.
If you feel that your toothache is not severe, there are a lot of self-care treatment options, like using herbs for the toothache which can help cure quite a few tooth problems,
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FAQs
1. What Are the Best Ways to Prevent a Toothache?
Following good oral hygiene is the best way to keep your teeth in good shape. This includes the brush-rinse-floss routine to be followed religiously. Also, rinsing your mouth with salt water daily helps. According to the WHO, the root cause of many tooth problems is inadequate exposure to fluoride.
2. Are Herbs for Toothache More Helpful Than Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers?
Toothache can come anytime and can be mild or severe, depending on what caused it. But, whatever the type may be, the tooth pain requires some treatment. An over-the-counter medication won’t do much for the tooth itself and will only relieve pain. An herbal remedy, on the other hand, can help treat the tooth and even cure minor tooth problems.
3. Is It Normal to Have a Toothache Occasionally?
A mild toothache that occurs when you eat something hot or cold is the most common type of toothache, and if the pain is mild and doesn’t last for long, there is no need to see a dentist for it. But, even a seemingly mild ache can develop into a tooth decay if proper care is not taken. In such cases, use herbs for the toothache to help cure it from within.
