Medicine to take for toothache: 9 home remedies for a toothache

11.09.202316.06.2023 by alexxlab

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9 home remedies for a toothache

A toothache can result from tooth decay, an infection, loose or broken fillings, or receding gums. Home treatment options include applying a cold compress, gargling with salt water, and drinking peppermint tea.

If the pain lasts for more than 1 or 2 days, it is best to see a dentist immediately to have it treated.

Until then, the following simple remedies made from ingredients usually available at home may provide temporary relief from the discomfort.

Share on PinterestIf toothache pain lasts more than 1 or 2 days then seeing a dentist is recommended.

A cold compress or an ice pack can help ease dental pain, especially if a toothache is due to injury or swollen gums.

A person can try holding the ice pack or a bag of frozen peas, for example, against the outside of the cheek above the painful tooth for a few minutes at a time.

The application of a cold treatment constricts the blood vessels, slowing the flow of blood to the affected area. This helps numb the pain and reduce swelling and inflammation.

Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water helps to loosen debris lodged in cavities or between teeth. It may also reduce swelling, boost healing, and relieve a sore throat.

A saltwater rinse can be made by dissolving 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and swish around in the mouth for about 30 seconds before spitting out. This process can be repeated as often as needed.

Over-the-counter medication, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can provide temporary pain relief for a toothache.

Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years old.

Garlic has been widely used for medicinal purposes throughout history. It contains a compound called allicin, which accounts for its powerful antibacterial properties.

A fresh clove of garlic should first be crushed and then mixed with a little salt, and the mixture applied to the affected tooth.

Share on PinterestPeppermint tea may help to soothe toothache due to its numbing properties.

Like cloves, peppermint has numbing properties that can soothe a toothache. Menthol, which gives peppermint its minty flavor and smell, is also known to be antibacterial.

One teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves can be put in a cup of boiling water and steeped for 20 minutes. After allowing to cool, it can be swished around in the mouth then spat out or swallowed.

A slightly warm, wet tea bag can also be used and held against the tooth for several minutes until the pain lessens.

A few drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball can also be placed against the affected tooth as a temporary remedy.

Thyme is known for its medicinal uses and is an effective remedy for chest infections, such as bronchitis or whooping cough. Thymol, the main component of the essential oil, has antiseptic and antifungal properties.

One drop of thyme essential oil can be added to a glass of water to make a mouthwash.

Another method is to sprinkle a few drops of thyme essential oil and water onto a cotton ball. After adding the water, press it against the painful tooth.

Aloe vera gel, which can be found within the succulent plant’s leaves, has long been used to heal burns and minor cuts. Some people now use the gel to clean and soothe gums.

Studies have shown that aloe vera has natural antibacterial qualities and can destroy germs that cause tooth decay.

The gel should be applied to the painful area of the mouth and gently massaged.

Rinsing with a hydrogen peroxide solution is an effective antibacterial mouthwash, especially if a toothache is caused by an infection.

Hydrogen peroxide is dangerous if swallowed so great care must be taken when rinsing.

It should be mixed in equal parts of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and water and swished in the mouth for about 30 seconds. After spitting it out, the mouth should be rinsed several times with plain water.

A hydrogen peroxide rinse must never be swallowed, and this remedy is not recommended for children.

Share on PinterestCloves have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Cloves are a spice native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia. They contain eugenol, a chemical compound that acts as a natural anesthetic.

Cloves also have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which can help fight tooth and gum infections.

A person can soak a small cotton ball with clove oil and apply it to the area affected by the painful tooth.

Dried whole cloves can also be used. Gently chew a whole clove to release its oil and hold in place against the affected tooth for up to 30 minutes.

These home remedies are meant to provide temporary relief only. It is important to seek immediate treatment from a dentist once a toothache lasts for more than a day or two.

If dental pain is not treated straight away, it might lead to more serious problems, such as gum disease or a dental abscess. An abscess is caused when bacteria infect the innermost part of the tooth called a dental pulp.

The best way to prevent a toothache or dental abscesses is by keeping teeth and gums as healthy as possible. This can be done with the following steps:

brushing teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day, for at least 2 minutes
cutting down on sugary food and drinks
flossing or using an interdental brush regularly to clean between the teeth and under the gum line
not smoking, as it can make dental problems worse
having regular dental checkups

If someone has a toothache that lasts longer than a couple of days, they should see their dentist for advice and treatment.

Gum disease and its links to other conditions

Gum disease is common and unpleasant, but, according to a growing body of evidence, it could also play a role in a surprising range of seemingly unrelated health problems.

Share on PinterestCleaning your teeth may be even more important than you thought.

Plaque — a sticky substance that contains bacteria — builds up on teeth. If it is not brushed away, the bacteria can irritate the gums.

The gums may then become swollen, sore, or infected; this is referred to as gingivitis.

In general, gum disease can be treated or prevented by maintaining a good oral health regime.

However, if it is left to develop, it can result in periodontitis, which weakens the supporting structures of the teeth.

Gum disease, which is also called periodontal disease, is widespread. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half of adults in the United States have some degree of gum disease.

The mechanisms behind periodontal disease are relatively well-understood, and newer research shows that this health problem may play a role in the development of a number of other conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and respiratory disease.

In this Spotlight, we will cover some of the surprising links between gum disease and disparate health issues.

Although spatially the gums are near the brain, one wouldn’t normally associate dental complaints with neurological conditions.

However, some studies have found a link between periodontal disease and tooth loss and cognitive function. One study looking at cognitive performance followed 597 men for up to 32 years. The authors conclude:

“Risk of cognitive decline in older men increases as more teeth are lost. Periodontal disease and caries, major reasons for tooth loss, are also related to cognitive decline.”

Researchers have also linked periodontal disease with an increased buildup of beta-amyloid in the brain — the neurological hallmark of Alzheimer’s.

Other experiments have produced evidence that one type of bacteria commonly found in cases of periodontitis — Porphyromonas gingivalis — can be found in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s.

Following on from that discovery, in a more recent study, researchers showed that P. gingivalis infection boosts the production of beta-amyloid in the brain.

In this study, the researchers paid particular attention to an enzyme produced by P. gingivalis called gingipain. They found that this protease was toxic to tau, another protein that plays a pivotal role in Alzheimer’s.

It is worth noting that other researchers have concluded that beta-amyloid is produced in response to a pathogen. The way we view Alzheimer’s is slowly changing.

In the future, scientists hope that targeting gingipain enzymes might help stop neurodegeneration in some people with Alzheimer’s disease. They have already designed a gingipain inhibitor, which they are testing in humans.

The researchers hope that it will “slow or prevent further neurodegeneration and accumulation of pathology in [Alzheimer’s disease] patients.”

Although not everyone with heart disease has gum disease, and not everyone with gum disease has heart disease, there does appear to be a correlation.

Of course, individuals who smoke or drink large quantities of alcohol are more likely to have both oral and cardiovascular issues, but there appears to be more to the relationship than shared risk factors alone.

Whether gum disease is an independent risk factor for heart disease is still being discussed, but there are some theories as to how the two might be related.

Share on PinterestWhat links the gums with the heart?

Some think that the link could involve inflammation.

Primarily, inflammation is a response to irritants or pathogens; it is a protective mechanism. However, if it continues for an extended period, it can damage tissues and organs.

It is possible that inflammation in the gums sets off a cascade that, ultimately, sparks inflammation in the cardiovascular system.

Alternatively, the link between heart and gum diseases may be due to bacteria.

Bacteria in the gums can enter the blood supply and be propelled to distant destinations, including the heart, where they can cause inflammation and damage.

As evidence that this is possible, researchers have shown that P. gingivalis is the most commonly found bacterial species in the coronary artery.

Once again, gum disease and cancer do not, on the surface, appear to have much in common.

A study published in 2008 investigated tooth loss and cancer in 48,375 men. The authors concluded that there was, indeed, a link between gum disease and cancer. They write:

“Periodontal disease was associated with a small, but significant, increase in overall cancer risk.”

Another, more recent, study involving more than 68,000 adults found a strong association between gum disease and overall cancer risk; the link was also significant between gum disease and pancreatic cancer.

Why might this be the case? A paper published in Nature goes some way toward an explanation.

The researchers found that an enzyme produced by a type of bacteria commonly associated with gum disease — Treponema denticola — commonly appears in certain tumors of the gastrointestinal system.

The enzyme, known as T. denticola chymotrypsin-like proteinase, helps the bacteria invade tissue in gum disease. The researchers found that it also activated other enzymes that promote cancer cells as they advance into healthy tissue.

An estimated 50 percent of men over the age of 40 experience erectile dysfunction. It is a complex condition that can result from both psychological and physiological factors.

Some well-known risk factors include smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol, and hypertension. According to some scientists, periodontal disease might also increase the risk of erectile dysfunction.

For instance, the authors of a literature review published in 2016 identify an association between erectile dysfunction and chronic periodontitis.

In fact, they suggest “that physicians should refer patients with [erectile dysfunction] to oral healthcare providers for a comprehensive oral evaluation and treatment.”

Share on PinterestThe importance of dental hygiene may extend to the bedroom.

Because erectile dysfunction and gum disease have shared risk factors, including smoking and diabetes, it has been difficult to ascertain whether gum disease is an independent risk factor for erectile dysfunction.

Although sexual dysfunction and gum health seem worlds apart, there are a number of potential ways in which they could influence each other.

Once again, inflammation might be the culprit. As mentioned earlier, inflammation in one part of the body — the mouth, in this instance — can spread via chemical messengers in the blood and impact other regions.

Erectile dysfunction is often due to malfunctioning blood vessels; specifically, the smooth muscles lining the walls of blood vessels lose their ability to relax. This is referred to as endothelial dysfunction, and it prevents vasodilation in the penis and, consequently, erections.

A so-called proinflammatory state may promote endothelial dysfunction and, therefore, increase the risk of erectile dysfunction.

However, the link has not been definitively proven. The authors of a review published in 2016 concluded that, although this link seems likely, more large-scale studies are needed.

Of course, the mouth is a shared gateway to the gums and the lungs, making a link between gum and lung diseases less surprising than some of the others that we have encountered.

A study published in February 2019 investigated the records of 1,380 men. The authors found a significant relationship between chronic periodontitis and a reduction in respiratory function.

This link remained significant, even after controlling for confounding variables, such as smoking.

Once again, inflammation may be the link between the two conditions. If the tubes in the lungs that carry air are inflamed, they become narrower and air flow is restricted.

Aside from the probable role of inflammation, bacteria present in the mouth might also be breathed into the lungs. Once in the lungs, the bacteria could trigger infections that directly lead to inflammation.

A recent meta-analysis investigated potential links between gum disease and lung cancer. The authors concluded that “patients with periodontal disease are at increased risk of developing lung cancer.”

In their paper, they outline some potential ways in which gum disease might increase lung cancer risk. For instance, breathing in bacteria, such as P. gingivalis, from the mouth could cause infections.

Similarly, enzymes produced during the course of gum disease might pass into the lungs. Once there, they could help pathogens take root and colonize the lung tissue.

These changes spark inflammation; over the long term, inflammation causes changes in cells that raise the likelihood of cancer developing.

One could read this article as a worrying collection of conditions made all the more likely to occur, courtesy of gum disease.

If we adopt the opposite approach, though, the take-home message could be much more positive: Good dental hygiene may reduce our risk of developing a range of serious health problems.

As the authors of the lung cancer analysis, mentioned above, write, “periodontal disease is a preventable and treatable disease.” Managing it at an early stage might reduce the risks of a multitude of ills.

Effective tablets for toothache: a review and description of inexpensive drugs

Acute toothache usually takes a person by surprise, often at night, when there is no way to seek help from a dentist. You have to take toothache pills to ease the suffering before visiting the doctor. Pain medications should only be used as an emergency treatment.

How to relieve a toothache, which drug is best suited for stopping the pain syndrome – largely depends on the cause that caused it.

Toothache is caused by various dental diseases:

caries is a bacterial destruction of hard tooth tissues. Soreness is insignificant, mainly occurs when brushing your teeth, when exposed to cold or hot food;
pulpitis – inflammation of the neurovascular bundle, which is accompanied by severe excruciating pain, aggravated at night;
periostitis – purulent inflammation of the periosteum, severe pain, throbbing;
periodontitis – suppuration of soft tissues around the root of the tooth, intense pain;
injuries, cracks cause damage to the crown part of the tooth, which leads to nerve exposure and aching pain;
hyperesthesia – increased sensitivity of the tooth to external stimuli, pain occurs when the tooth comes into contact with hot, cold, sour food;
wisdom tooth eruption, pericoronitis – aching toothache, pulling, captures the jaw, cheeks.

Conventionally, all types of painkillers for toothache are divided into 2 groups.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

The mechanism of action of these drugs is their ability to slow down the production of prostaglandins, inflammatory mediators that cause pain. The drugs have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. In severe pain syndrome, when it is necessary to quickly relieve toothache, drugs of this group are used:

ketanov,
ketorol,
nimesulide,
airtal,
nurofen,
niz.

Non-narcotic analgesics of central and peripheral action

Block the transmission of pain nerve impulses to the centers of the brain responsible for the perception of pain:

paracetamol is a weak analgesic, effective for aching pains of low intensity;
baralgin acts with moderate pain;
analgin helps with moderate toothache.

Combined preparations

Ibuklin, which contains paracetamol and ibuprofen, quickly relieves pain and maintains a lasting effect.
Tempalgin contains analgesic and tranquilizer tempidone, therefore, in addition to eliminating the average intensity of toothache, it calms the nervous system.
Fanigan – active substances (diclofenac and paracetamol), which are part of the drug, enhance the effect of each other. The drug has a strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.

In case of toothache, before removing it at home, it is necessary to read in detail the instructions for taking painkillers, take into account the indications, contraindications, possible side effects.

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