There are plenty of home remedies for toothache, but few of them really help. Some of such remedies can even make the situation worse. In this article, we are going to list only the remedies that do help with the pain, but keep these in mind: they are only a temporary solution. The real problem – a bad tooth – can’t go away on its own.

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3 effective home remedies for toothache

To relieve a toothache at home, you can try the following:

1. Ice

Ice is the simplest and most readily available remedy; a chilled water bottle or tin can can also do the trick. Simply apply the ice or something cold on the area that’s hurting, and the cold will do its job. But the problem with this remedy is that it only relieves your symptoms while the cause of the pain remains.

2. Alcohol

Liquor is another remedy to ease toothache. It contains ethanol, which is a great antiseptic. It can even numb the area, and the pain will subside temporarily. Simply rinse your mouth thoroughly with a little hard liquor, and then spit it out. But if there’s an abscess, ulcer, or cracked tooth in your mouth, using alcohol can cause sharp, burning pain.

3. Salt and baking soda

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The most effective and safe method used to relieve toothache is rinsing your mouth with salt water or baking soda solution. Salt and baking soda are the simplest ingredients found in every kitchen. They have an excellent anti-inflammatory effect, and they can relieve the pain, swelling, and inflammation in your mouth. Simply add 1 tablespoon of either salt or baking soda to a glass of lukewarm water and rinse your mouth thoroughly with this solution.

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Here’s the most important thing to remember: These remedies are only temporary solutions to ease your symptoms, but they don’t treat the underlying problem. To find out what’s causing your toothache, see a dentist. Pain is your body’s defense mechanism. With pain, your body tries to show you that something is wrong with it. The sooner you see a specialist, the sooner and faster your bad tooth will be treated. Don’t delay a visit to a dentist, as waiting for the problem to resolve itself can only make the situation worse and lead to serious undesirable consequences.

The article is based on materials provided by Nikita Golubenko, dental therapist and pediatric dentist.

This article is solely for informational purposes. Do not self-diagnose or self-medicate, and in all cases consult a certified healthcare professional before using any information presented in the article. The editorial board does not guarantee any results and does not bear any responsibility for any harm that may result from using the information provided in the article.