How to Treat a Toothache at Home

Anyone who has ever suffered a toothache knows exactly how it can stop your regular daily activities in their tracts. Suddenly, chewing, drinking and living in general become difficult and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, waiting for a dentist appointment can seem like a lifetime, but a few home remedies can help you to treat the pain while you wait.

Things You'll Need

• Clove oil
• Cloves
• Fresh garlic
• Epsom salts
• Peanut butter
• Vanilla extract
• Ice
• Peppermint essential oil

Instructions

1. Rub clove oil onto the tooth and surrounding gum or simply chew on a cloves. Clove not only has the ability to reduce pain, it is also antiseptic, helping to prevent further spread of infection which causes a toothache.

2. Chew garlic three times daily. While you may not have the freshest breath around, garlic helps to stop the pain and kill bacteria. While it won't improve the taste, you can also mix crushed garlic with epsom salt and peanut butter and then press the mixture around the tooth. Allow the paste to set for at least 30 minutes.

3. Use a better tasting home remedy to treat a toothache, placing a few drops of vanilla extract on the painful area as often as needed throughout the day. While vanilla will not help to stop an infection, it will help you to manage the pain.

4. Place a piece of ice on the side of your mouth affected by the toothache. While ice may increase the pain, depending on the cause and nature of your toothache, ice will numb the area and reduce pain and swelling due to infection.

5. Mix 30 drops of peppermint essential oil in 1/4 cup of water and use as a mouthwash, swishing in your mouth for at least 30 seconds, three times daily. Peppermint is an anti-inflammatory as well as an antiseptic and will help to reduce pain while eliminating infection.