A toothache can be shattering. And the thing you want to do is stop the pain NOW. If you don’t have a dentist living in your house with all his tools, you may want to learn some quick ways that you can relieve a toothache, at least temporarily until you get around to seeing a dentist.
It’s important to talk about things that you shouldn’t do first, because some of the old wives tales that come along with toothache remedies can not only leave you with worse pain, but also cause permanent damage:
- Don’t put aspirin directly in the cavity. Some people say this works, others say it doesn’t, but one thing is common to all who use this remedy; the aspirin continues to burn at your tooth enamel, and while you may get some temporary toothache pain relief, you eventually one day are going to be in greater pain once the cavity, aided by the use of aspirin, spreads all the way to the root of your tooth.
- Don’t put a grain of salt in it. The “logic” behind this is that it dehydrates the bacteria and will cause them to die and leave you in peace. True, the bacteria will die, but if that grain of salt has any kind of direct contact with an exposed nerve for any reason, you will be in agony. Raw, open nerves and salt don’t mix well together. You’re better off swishing a concentrated salt solution if you must use salt.
So what are some of the best toothache remedies that you can find close to you?
- A clove of garlic is good. Garlic is a natural anti-biotic. It attacks bacteria and has been known in many instances to work on bacterial infections all on its own without the use of prescribed antibiotics. Crush the garlic, and place it in the cavity. It will sting for a few seconds going in, but it settles the pain before long. If you want it to work even better, prepare a strong salt solution and swish the area to get rid of any debris that may be lying around, and then place the clove there. The pain will go, and you may not even need to see a dentist
- An onion will work in the same way – it will kill bacteria and leave you free of pain. Treat it the same way you would the garlic – pound and pack the cavity. If you’re not in too much pain to chew, chew it and take around your mouth, letting it linger around where you have the pain.
- Wheatgrass is also excellent. If you can chew it, go ahead and chew it. If you can’t, find a way to crush it and pack it around the painful area. It acts as a strong, natural mouthwash, and it draws out bacteria from both the gum surface and the teeth.
- Clove oil has strong antiseptic properties. If you can get hold of some, pour a couple of drops directly into the cavity. If you can’t, crush a clove and pack it against the cavity or get the juice in there.
- Activated charcoal can be bought in some pharmacies now, and is good for aching cavities. Just crush it into a paste, pack it into gauze and hold it against the painful cavity. It should take away the pain.
The long term solution for cavities though, is to have your dentist have a look and recommend a permanent course of action – remember that sometimes even filling cavities may not be a permanent solution. Taking regular extra-good care of your teeth if you have cavities is one way to make sure that you get toothaches less frequently. Otherwise, keep all the above handy; you never know when you’ll need them.
Sources:
- Dental Health Magazine
- http://altmedicine.about.com/
Kissing is said to prevent cavities and you may be wondering just how. Deep kissing causes you to secrete saliva, which is essential for healthy teeth. To get a better understanding, let’s first understand how saliva is good for your teeth.
HOW SALIVA WORKS
Saliva is your natural teeth protector. On secretion and contact with the teeth, it neutralizes acids which will have formed from food particles that remain in the mouth and in between teeth. These acids are potentially harmful to your enamel – they wear it away. Saliva also contains compounds which kill bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria, left there, will wear your enamel to the point where you get cavities.
Saliva is also rich in calcium and phosphates. Calcium is what your teeth are mainly made of. The calcium and phosphates in your saliva, combined, will rebuild little chinks in your teeth where the enamel may have worn off.
To keep saliva in constant production and circulation, you need to keep your mouth active. Talking is one way to do it. So is eating. If you talk and eat frequently, you’re likely not to have bad breath so long as you keep a healthy oral regimen.
WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH KISSING?
The other way to secrete saliva and in large amounts is through kissing.
When you kiss, the movement of the tongue will cause secretion of saliva– up to 1 teaspoon for each minute of kissing. This saliva will work to keep your teeth in good shape, preventing cavities and tooth decay.
There are conditions however; both kissers have to have good oral hygiene in the first place. During kissing, saliva is also swapped. If one person has bacteria in their mouth, they will pass it on to their partner. If its specifically cavity-causing bacteria, it could eventually lead to their partner having cavities. Both people need to brush their teeth, floss and rinse out with mouth wash as recommended.
Don’t despair if you don’t have someone to kiss though – chewing gum will have the same benefits on your teeth!
Sources
- how much do braces cost
- American Dental Association, fact sheets.
- Academy of General Dentistry, fact sheets.
- Journal of the American Dental Association
Whang! It lashes through you and freezes you still. And then a few seconds later, you can hardly sit – you have to pace up and down, trying anything to see if you can bring the pain down. And sometimes it’s a dull throb you’re hoping will go away that turns into a painful ache that won’t leave you alone for a second.
If you suffer toothaches, you know how gruelling and tortuous they can be. I’ve seen people who couldn’t sleep because of a toothache. They seem to be endemic in some people, and yet others have lived long lives without having to suffer them.
For the kind of agony they cause, it’s only fair to know what brings them on so that you can keep clear if you suffer them, and steer clear if you don’t.
Some common causes of toothaches are:
- First and most common are cavities. A toothache occurs in the tooth and jaw area, and a cavity is a perfect place for a toothache to begin its attack. A cavity is a hole in the tooth enamel and dentine – the outer layers of the tooth that protect the living part of the tooth that’s full of nerves. A hole leaves the nerves in direct exposure, and literally anything can cause those nerves to inflame and bring about great pain. It you don’t brush your teeth well, bacteria start to form. The cavity in your tooth is the perfect little place for them to hide and breed. Once they get to your nerves, a toothache will develop. Also, if you have a cavity and something gets in there, the pain can be devastating. You might unsuspectingly bite into something and it goes straight there causing untold pain. If it’s something solid that can be pulled out with a pair of tweezers, you may get some toothache relief. But if it’s something sugary and liquid, you may have to see a dentist to control your pain.
- Sensitive roots are a great cause of toothaches. Even for people who don’t suffer cavities, they may have sensitive teeth. In some people, they’re caused by a receding jaw line due to gum disease that exposes the inner part of the tooth. In others, it just happens. You may not have a receding jaw line, but your teeth are sensitive anyway. When you have had sensitive teeth for a long time, your roots eventually get sensitive too. Something too hot or too cold will start a throb in your jaw and tooth that can go on for hours. The best way to deal with this is use toothpastes for sensitive teeth. If it’s serious, your dentist should be able to prescribe something.
- A cracked tooth is an often culprit. When we think about toothaches, molars come to mind. With a cracked tooth however, any tooth, including your front teeth and incisors, can cause a great deal of pain. Cracking can come about through any variety of causes: falling, biting on pens or pencils, hard candy. Every time you bite anything, hard or soft, the cracked tooth, because the nerves are exposed, will hurt. The solution may be to have the tooth capped. If this doesn’t work, you may have to have an extraction.
- Some toothaches are a symptom of underlying problems. If you have a nerve disorder for instance, it may start to manifest itself around your jaws and teeth whether you have cavities or cracks or not. A heart problem can manifest through pain in the teeth or jaw every time you bite, or even just a dull ache. If you should feel this, and there is no cavity, crack or previous sensitivity to explain it, do not waste any time getting to your doctor – it will probably save your life.
Knowing what causes something is halfway to getting a solution for it. Now you know some of the common causes of toothache; try to avoid the triggers and make sure to see your dentist often so that you can save yourself the grief that a toothache brings.
