How To Get Rid Of Toothache In South Africa

What is Toothache?

Toothache occurs from inflammation of the central portion of the tooth called pulp. The pulp contains nerve endings that are very sensitive to pain. Inflammation to the pulp or pulpitis may be caused by dental cavities, trauma, and infection. Referred pain from the jaw may cause you to have symptoms of a toothache.

How To Get Rid Of Toothache In South Africa

1. Salt water rinse

For many people, a salt water rinse is an effective first-line treatment. Salt water is a natural disinfectant, and it can help loosen food particles and debris that may be stuck in between your teeth.

Treating a toothache with salt water can also help reduce inflammation and heal any oral wounds.

To use this approach, mix 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) of salt into a glass of warm water and use it as a mouthwash.

2. Hydrogen peroxide rinse

A hydrogen peroxide rinse may also help to relieve pain and inflammation. In addition to killing bacteria, hydrogen peroxide can reduce plaque and heal bleeding gums.

Make sure you properly dilute the hydrogen peroxide. To do this, mix 3-percent hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water, and use it as a mouthwash. Don’t swallow it.

3. Cold compress

You can use a cold compress to relieve any pain you’re experiencing, especially if any type of trauma has caused your toothache.

When you apply a cold compress, it causes the blood vessels in the area to constrict. This makes pain less severe. The cold can also reduce any swelling and inflammation.

To use this approach, hold a towel-wrapped bag of ice to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time. You can repeat this every few hours.

4. Peppermint tea bags

Peppermint tea bags can be used to numb pain and soothe sensitive gums.

Allow a used tea bag to cool down a little before applying it to the affected area. It should still be slightly warm.

You can also use this method to cool, rather than warm, the area. To do this, put a used tea bag in the freezer for a couple of minutes to chill it and then apply the bag to your tooth.

5. Garlic

For thousands of years, garlic has been recognized and used for its medicinal properties. It also has antibacterial properties. Not only can it kill harmful bacteria that cause dental plaque, but it can also act as a pain reliever.

To use garlic on a toothache, crush a garlic clove to create a paste and apply it to the affected area. You may wish to add a tiny bit of salt. Alternatively, you can slowly chew a clove of fresh garlic.

6. Vanilla extract

Vanilla extract contains alcohol, which can help to numb pain. Its proven antioxidant properties also make it an effective healer. Just be sure to use real vanilla rather than imitation vanilla.

To use this remedy, dab a small amount of vanilla extract onto your finger or a cotton ball. Apply it directly to the affected area a few times per day.

Other natural remedies

You can do the following remedies at home, but you may need to source the ingredients from your local health food store or online.

Your mouth, teeth, and gums are likely sensitive at this time, so it’s especially important to purchase these ingredients from a reputable manufacturer. This can reduce your risk of potential irritation.

7. Clove

Clove has been used to treat toothaches throughout history. The oil can effectively numb pain and reduce inflammation. It contains eugenol, which is a natural antiseptic.

To use this approach, dilute clove oil with a carrier oil, like sunflower or jojoba oil. Use a ratio of about 15 drops of clove oil to one ounce of carrier oil, according to the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy.

Then, dab a small amount of the diluted oil onto a cotton ball and apply it to the affected area a few times a day.

You can also add a drop of clove oil to a small glass of water and make a mouthwash.

8. Guava leaves

Guava leaves have anti-inflammatory properties that can help heal wounds. They also have antimicrobial activity that can aid in oral care.

To use this remedy, chew on fresh guava leaves or add crushed guava leaves to boiling water to make a mouthwash.

9. Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass has countless healing properties, like anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. It contains many nutrients, including a high chlorophyll content, that help to fight bacteria.

You can drink wheatgrass or use it as a mouthwash.

10. Thyme

Thyme also has powerful antibacterial and antioxidant properties that can help to treat toothaches. It can even help fight bacteria that contributes to tooth decay.

To use this, dilute thyme essential oil with a carrier oil, and then apply it to the affected area.

You can also add a drop of the oil to a small glass of water and make a mouthwash.

11. Toothache plant

The aptly named toothache plant is a flowering plant that grows in tropical and subtropical regions. Its active compound, spilanthol, has anti-inflammatory properties, according to a 2021 review. It also provides a numbing sensation when chewed.

Though this plant is generally considered safe, you shouldn’t use it if:

you’re allergic to plants in the daisy family
you drink alcohol
you use diuretics
you have prostate cancer
you’re pregnant

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you get rid of toothache quickly?

Using medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and aspirin can relieve minor pain from a toothache. Using numbing pastes or gels — often with benzocaine — can help to dull the pain long enough for you to fall asleep.

What kills the pain of a toothache?

Taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) is a quick, simple way for many people to effectively reduce mild-to-moderate toothaches.

Can a toothache go away on its own?

Can my toothache go away on its own? Some toothaches that come from pain around (but not inside) your tooth can get better without a trip to the dentist. Pain from a temporary irritation (redness) in the gum can be resolved within a few days. During this time try not to chew around the affected area.

What kills tooth nerve instantly?

Alcohol. Want to numb your tooth pain? Swishing alcohol like whiskey, scotch, vodka, and brandy will kill the germs and help numb the area around the tooth. A cotton ball soaked in alcohol and applied to the affected area might also be a good way to apply this pain reliever.

What kills a nerve in a tooth?

Reasons for tooth abscesses consist of decay (cavities), gum illness, a split tooth, or injury. When several of these conditions exist, germs have a chance to get in the tooth, contaminate the nerve tissue, and will ultimately eliminate the nerves and blood supply to the tooth– basically eliminating the tooth.

Should I brush my teeth if I have toothache?

You should not neglect brushing the affected tooth, as this will accelerate the rate that bacteria builds up in and around the cavity. This build up of bacteria may make the swelling, and hence the pain, even worse. Brushing your teeth will not, however, make the toothache go away (sadly).

How can I sleep with a toothache?

You should definitely contact your dentist in the morning, but until then, try these five tips for helping you sleep through a toothache at night.

Take an Over-the-Counter Pain Reliever.
Use a Cold Compress.
Elevate Your Head.
Watch What You Eat.
Rinse Your Mouth.

Can salt stop toothache?

You probably know that gargling with warm salt water can help with a sore throat. But warm salt water can help your toothache too. Salt water can help gently rinse away food particles that are stuck between your teeth. And rinsing with salt water also serves as a disinfectant and helps reduce inflammation.

Why does milk help toothache?

Milk also contains a protein called casein – a substance that helps fight tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel. The calcium and phosphorous in milk also strengthen and repair tooth enamel that has dissolved due to acid.

How long can tooth pain last?

See a dentist if you have toothache that lasts more than 2 days. There are things you can do to ease it while you wait for an appointment.

What happens if you ignore a toothache?

A toothache is often a sign of a serious cavity or deep infection. If untreated, decay can spread to the center of the tooth and infect the pulp, causing the dental nerve to become swollen. Dental pain can mean you have developed an abscess, which is a sac where pus and bacteria collect.

Why does tooth pain hurt so much?

The pulp of each tooth contains lots of nerve endings that are highly sensitive to pain. This can cause the often constant throbbing pain that makes toothache especially unbearable.

How do you get rid of a toothache in 5 minutes?

How to do it:

Place some ice in a resealable plastic bag and cover with a damp towel.
Apply pressure with the cold compress on the swollen area.
Hold in the area for a few minutes until the pain subsides.
Repeat as necessary.

Why does holding water in my mouth help my toothache?

The cold water relieves that momentarily because it shrinks the gas for a short period of time. The pulp is dying and you need a root canal treatment. Just creating an opening in your tooth will immediately release the pain and pressure you’ve been feeling.

Can I pull my own tooth?

Even if you can do it, pulling your own tooth is never a good idea. You could cause significant damage to your mouth and end up with more problems than the tooth caused. Whether your tooth is broken, infected, or simply loose, it’s critical that you see a dentist for the extraction.

Is my tooth dying?

A dying tooth may appear yellow, light brown, gray, or even black. It may look almost as if the tooth is bruised. The discoloration will increase over time as the tooth continues to decay and the nerve dies. If you experience any symptoms of a dying tooth, it’s important to see your dentist right away.

Does cold water help toothache?

Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water will both soothe your toothache and disinfect your mouth. However, make sure the water is warm; cold water can further exacerbate a sensitive tooth.

Does ice help toothache?

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.

Why is toothache worse at night?

When you lie down to sleep, more blood is able to rush to your brain. More blood circulation means experiencing more tooth pain than if you were standing. This is because the increased blood flow exerts pressure on the painful tooth.