How to Ease a Toothache Without Medicine

When you have a toothache, it's hard to concentrate on anything but the pain. However, taking too much medicine can just make your stomach hurt along with your teeth. Try out these natural painkillers before taking another dose of any over-the-counter pills.

Things You'll Need

• Ice
• Plastic bag
• Washcloth
• Tea bag
• Clove oil or ground clove
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Water

Instructions

1. Try to ease the pain using the same method you would for bumps and bruises anywhere else--ice. Ice will numb the ache and bring you some temporary relief until you can get to the dentist. Place ice in a plastic bag and wrap with a washcloth. Apply to your face directly outside the toothace. Leave on for 20 minutes and then remove. Repeat as needed.

2. If ice doesn't cut it, try out a teabag. Wet a tea bag and place it on the gums where the pain is located. Do not break the bag, or you'll need to replace it. Warming it a bit will also ease the pain.

3. Clove is hailed as a great toothache cure. Ground regular clove or clove oil placed directly on the tooth and gum should ease the ache. Remember to rinse, though.

4. Don't like clove? Try a mixture of either baking soda and water or salt and water. Both can be used to solve tooth pain. Fill an 8 ounce cup with the mixture, swish and rinse. Repeat until you've used up the mixture.

5. If none of the above works, your toothache may be associated with other symptoms, such as a head- or neck-ache. Massaging your jaw and temples and relaxing may be just the trick.

6. Don't forget to schedule an appointment with a dentist. Toothaches are almost always an indication of dental decay.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that these methods are merely pain relievers. They will not prevent or solve tooth decay.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish