Uhhhh! Toothache? Tolerating toothache
is impossible for most of us. Toothache or tooth pain can often be
caused when the nerve to a tooth is irritated, but there are numerous
other causes for tooth pain. Dental infection, gum disease, plaque,
dental decay, injury, cracked teeth, poorly placed fillings or crowns,
failing or leaking fillings or crowns, or loss of a tooth (including
tooth extractions), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and
obstructive sleep apnea are all common causes of dental pain. One can
prevent the majority of dental problems by flossing, brushing, and using
many different products, such as xylitol- and fluoride-containing
rinses and toothpaste, and having teeth professionally cleaned on a
regular schedule. There are several home remedies that can help to
overcome toothache.
Clove oil
Cloves are a traditional remedy for
numbing nerves; the primary chemical compound of this spice is eugenol, a
natural anesthetic. But clove oil needs to be used carefully. Pouring
the oil on the aching area can actually worsen the pain if you get it on
sensitive gum tissue or on your tongue. Instead, put two drops of clove
oil on a cotton ball and place it against the tooth itself until the
pain recedes. In a pinch, use a bit of powdered clove or place a whole
clove on the tooth. Chew the whole clove a little to release its oil and
keep it in place up to half an hour or until the pain subsides.
Ginger-cayenne paste
Mix equal parts of these two
heat-packing spices with enough water to make a paste. Roll a small ball
of cotton into enough paste to saturate it, then place it on your tooth
while avoiding your gums and tongue. Leave it until the pain fades—or
as long as you can stand it.
Salt water
A teaspoon of salt dissolved in a cup of boiling water makes a pain-killing mouthwash,
which will clean away irritating debris and help reduce swelling. Swish
it around for about 30 seconds before spitting it out. Salt water
cleanses the area around the tooth and draws out some of the fluid that
causes swelling.
Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea has a nice flavor and
some numbing power. Put 1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves in 1 cup
boiling water and steep for 20 minutes. After the tea cools, swish it
around in your mouth, then spit it out or swallow.
Hydrogen peroxide
To help kill bacteria and relieve some
discomfort, swish with a mouthful of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. This
can provide temporary relief if the toothache is accompanied by fever
and a foul taste in the mouth (both are signs of infection), but like
other toothache remedies, it’s only a stopgap measure until you see your
dentist.
Wash it with myrrh
You can also rinse with a tincture of
myrrh. The astringent effects help with inflammation, and myrrh offers
the added benefit of killing bacteria. Simmer 1 teaspoon of powdered
myrrh in 2 cups water for 30 minutes. Strain and let cool. Rinse with 1
teaspoon of the solution in a half-cup water five to six times a day.
Acupressure
The most effective way to control
toothache is to apply pressure on points that are located around your
thumb nail. You will have to find which acupressure point
is corresponding to your aching tooth. If the aching tooth is located
in the lower jaw, then its corresponding acupressure point will be
located near the end of the nail (i.e. edge of the finger). If on the
other hand, the ache located on the upper jaw, then the fitting
acupressure point will be located near the root of the nail, i.e. where
it starts to grow.
References: http://www.rd.com/Image sources (Laurel-Hardy) : http://www.mypostpartumvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/laurel-hardy-toothache.jpg
Acupressure: http://alternativefelix.com/
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