Toothaches can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as cavities, irritated gums, tooth decay, teeth grinding, or overly vigorous flossing.
Whatever the cause, toothaches are painful, and you’ll want relief right away.
The majority of the time, you must make an appointment with a dentist as soon as you begin to experience tooth pain.
However, there are natural therapies that might help you feel better while you wait. Garlic is one of those treatments.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ Garlic emits an antibacterial and antimicrobial substance called allicin when it is crushed, chewed, sliced, or chopped, which might momentarily improve toothache pain.
✅ But a trip to the dentist shouldn’t be substituted for it.
✅ There are alternative home treatments you can attempt to relieve toothache pain if you are allergic to garlic or dislike the flavor.
Why garlic helps to treat toothaches
Although you might think of garlic as more of an ingredient in Italian food than a remedy for toothaches, it has long been praised for its therapeutic benefits.
Allicin, one of the most well-known components of garlic, has antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities that can aid in the destruction of some of the germs linked to toothaches. Fresh garlic contains allicin once it has been chopped or crushed.
Can garlic powder be used to relieve dental pain?
You might be tempted to use garlic powder to ease your toothache if you don’t have any fresh garlic on hand. However, because garlic powder lacks allicin, it is unable to relieve tooth discomfort.
Actually, allicin is not found in whole garlic either; rather, it is a short-lived compound that is produced when garlic cloves are crushed, chewed, chopped, or sliced.
Are there any negative effects?
In addition to being healthful, garlic can temporarily ease toothaches. Be aware of the possible negative consequences of consuming raw garlic before attempting this at home, including, bloating, foul breath, body odor, an upset stomach, heartburn, a burning feeling in the mouth, acid reflux, and allergic reaction.
How to treat toothaches with fresh garlic
Chew a bulb of garlic
- Gently chewing on a peeled clove of garlic with the tooth that is afflicted. Allicin will then be released, killing the germs that may be part of the cause of your pain.
- Let the clove that has been chewed rest on the tooth.
Paste together
- You can crush garlic using a mortar or the back of a spoon and combine it with a pinch of salt, which is also antimicrobial and could lessen inflammation.
- Using your fingers or a cotton swab, apply the mixture to the afflicted tooth.
Precautions
Particularly if there is a cavity present, refrain from pressing the garlic so deeply that it becomes trapped.
Garlic can cause allergies in certain people. If this applies to you, you should stay away from this treatment.
Although eating too much garlic might cause heartburn (even if you are not pregnant), it is generally considered safe to consume while you are pregnant.
More natural cures for toothaches
There are alternative home treatments you can attempt to relieve toothache pain if you are allergic to garlic or dislike the flavor.
Apply a cold cloth or ice pack
Ice packs can lessen the discomfort by constricting blood vessels. Ice also lessens inflammation and swelling.
Mouthwash with salt water
Saltwater is a disinfectant and may help remove food particles stuck in the damaged tooth. You can swish warm water with a half teaspoon of salt in it around the impacted tooth once the salt has had time to dissolve.
Pain Killers
Anti-inflammatory painkillers sold over the counter, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, might momentarily lessen the swelling and discomfort brought on by toothaches. But they are unable to address the source of the pain.
Caffeine-free tea
Peppermint may lessen swelling and numb pain. Put a warm (not hot) tea bag on the tooth that is giving you trouble. Alternately, for a cooling sensation on the tooth, soak the tea bag as usual in boiling water, then chill the bag before applying.
Thyme
Similar to garlic, thyme contains pain-relieving antibacterial and antioxidant effects. For pain relief, you can try softly chewing on fresh thyme.
Aloe Vera
An anti-inflammatory herb with high antioxidant content is aloe vera. It can lessen mouth pain and swelling. Aloe vera may, however, cause your blood sugar to fall dangerously low if you have diabetes or are on medicine to manage it.
Rinse with hydrogen peroxide
A mouthwash containing hydrogen peroxide may aid in healing bleeding gums, reducing plaque, and reducing dental pain and inflammation. Do not swallow the peroxide; instead, dilute it.
Cloves
Cloves contain eugenol, a well-known antiseptic, and help relieve inflammation. Do not drink clove oil; dilute it with a carrier oil (such as olive oil) and apply it topically to the impacted tooth using a cotton ball.
When do I go to see a dentist?
Home cures for toothaches can be helpful in reducing their immediate discomfort, but they shouldn’t be used in place of a trip to the dentist. As soon as a toothache starts to develop, schedule an appointment.
Effective home remedies aren’t meant to provide long-term treatment or pain relief; rather, they’re meant to ease some of the discomforts while you wait to visit a doctor.
Consult a dentist straight away if you encounter:
- lingering discomfort
- swelling
- Inflammation
- Fever
- Bleeding