5 natural remedies to relieve toothache

A toothache can drive you crazy. From disturbing your sleep to disrupting your appetite, a toothache causes much more inconvenience than we imagine. It's important to find out the root cause of your toothache, which only a dentist can do. But before you make an appointment with the dentist, here are some home remedies that you can try for relief.

If the pain persists for more than one day, make sure to visit the doctor.

Consult your doctor on the phone before trying any herbal remedy if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have any other condition that can be impacted by herbal ingredients.

The primary chemical compound in clove, eugenol is a mild anaesthetic. It helps numb the nerves in the tooth and provides you relief from pain.

You can use the whole clove, powdered clove or clove oil to relieve toothache. Simply place a clove on the tooth and chew it a bit to release its oil, or rub clove oil on the tooth to get some relief.

One has to be really careful while using the concentrated clove oil. Applying it directly on the infected region may sometimes even worsen the pain. Take a cotton ball and put two-three drops of oil and place it in between the teeth.

For many people, saltwater swish is the first line of treatment and it also works. Saltwater works as a natural disinfectant and helps loosen food particles and debris stuck between your teeth. It also helps reduce any inflammation and heal any oral wounds.

Mix 1/2 teaspoon of table salt in a glass of warm water and use it as a mouthwash.

Ice cubes wrapped in a thin piece of cloth help numb the nerves and provide you relief from pain. The ice pack is especially helpful when a toothache is accompanied by swelling. Ice reduces swelling and gives a cooling effect.

Even after a tooth extraction, it's advised to have cold foods to cool down the nerve endings and reduce pain.

Garlic has antibiotic properties and provides relief even from the worst of toothaches. Crush some garlic and mix with table salt and black pepper. Apply this mixture directly to the affected area. You can also chew on some garlic to release the oil. Garlic clove must be crushed and not cut as cutting would release all the oil.