A toothache is a different KIND of pain.
You can ignore a bump or bruise. When your back acts up, you can shuffle along and tune it out… as you’ve probably done so many times before.
And you can even get used to hobbling around on sore and achy knees, despite not being happy about it.
But the moment you feel a toothache, all bets are off. There’s no ignoring it. No tuning it out. No getting used to it.
And right now, with the pandemic still raging, depending on where you live, it may not be easy to get in to see a dentist. That means you might find yourself having to ease an aching tooth on your own for a bit.
4 steps to take care of toothache pain at home
So today, let’s take a look at how you can battle a toothache at home without drugs.
STEP ONE: Call your dentist.
No matter what’s going on with your teeth, your dentist needs to know about it so they can advise you on what to do next.
The last thing you want is to let an easy fix toothache turn into something that’s going to need a root canal because you didn’t get in touch.
Most dentists have put strong protocols in place to protect themselves and their patients from the coronavirus. That’s good. It means you can feel relatively safe going in for a visit.
In fact, a recent study revealed just HOW safe visiting the dentist is right now. (Spoiler alert… VERY.) Click here to catch up on that surprising research.
But the downside to those extra precautions is that they can severely limit how many people the dentist can see in a day. So many folks are finding they have to wait a bit longer than usual before getting in to see the doctor.
That makes knowing some drug-free tricks for fighting off toothache pain even MORE important. So keep reading.
STEP TWO: Rinse with salt water.
Gargling with warm salt water isn’t JUST for sore throats. Salt is a natural antibacterial agent that can help wipe out any nasty germs that may be behind your toothache.
Salt is also a natural inflammation-fighter, so it can ease the pain of the damage already done.
- mix about half a teaspoon into a mug of warm water
- stir it until the salt is completely dissolved
- swish the mix around your mouth while it’s still warm
In addition to killing bacteria and easing inflammation, the swishing action could help dislodge any stuck particles rubbing against your trouble spot. Gargle with the salt mixture as well to hit the germs in every potential hiding spot.
STEP THREE: Make some tea.
Specifically, make peppermint tea. And don’t toss out the teabag, either. Set it aside on a saucer.
The peppermint oil in the tea contains menthol, a top-notch natural pain-fighter.
But it’s not just in the tea itself. The menthol is also still in that teabag you set aside. Once you’re done sipping your drink and the bag is cool, you can use it to further ease your toothache.
Gently put the teabag in your mouth and suck on it. Or just lightly pad your pain point with it.
Don’t have any peppermint tea handy? Almost any tea bag can help ease the ache a little. Soak it first. And if you want some added cooling relief, you can put it in the fridge or freezer for a bit before applying it to your toothache.
STEP FOUR: Chomp on some garlic.
OK, I know this step sounds a little strange. And your spouse might kick you out of bed for it. But there’s a good reason to give it a try.
See, along with fighting vampires, garlic can also fight off bacteria thanks to a powerful compound called allicin. So gently chewing on a peeled clove and letting the ground-up garlic sit right next to your sore tooth can often help.
Chewing too painful? You can pre-crush the garlic and then apply the mash to your toothache. But don’t bother to use garlic powder. It doesn’t contain any allicin.
These three steps can help ease your aching tooth while you wait. But don’t forget to do step one… CALL YOUR DENTIST… first.
He will be able to make specific recommendations based on your history. And he might even give you a more detailed plan for fighting the toothache pain while you wait for your appointment.
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