You take a bite of your grilled cheese sandwich or your BLT and ouch! There’s a sharp pain that becomes unbearable with each bite. Most of have experienced the agony of tooth decay or tooth infection.
It can be agonizing, unbearable and make life hell. The causes for tooth infection can vary from cavities and decay to more serious gum infections.
While it is advisable to see the dentist on first signs of tooth distress, it is not necessary to pop pain killers and other allopathic medication immediately. You can start by making sure you stay away from caffeinated products, sugary sweets or tobacco. There are some simple home remedies that can help give you relief and even aid recovery from minor tooth infections. Take a look at these natural at-home cures for tooth problems.
Ten Effective Home Remedies For Tooth Infection
Calendula
With beautiful yellow and orange flowers, calendula is as beautiful as it is useful. This multipurpose herb has been used for centuries by traditional healers to treat a range of illnesses and conditions. It is especially helpful in healing wounds and infections.
The flowers of calendula have powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat a range of pestilences. For tooth infections, as well, calendula can prove highly effective.
You can make a simple gargle by boiling the flowers and using the water, after cooling, to rinse the mouth. Hold the liquid on the affected tooth for some seconds, and then rinse it out.
Cloves
This is a folk remedy that has been helpful in treating tooth problems for millennia. Cloves have natural pain-suppressing properties that make them a wiser substitute than commercial pain-killers.
They have the compound eugenol that makes them so effective in treating tooth infections and abscesses. Clove also has antibacterial properties that can help fight off infection. You can directly put some whole cloves on the infected tooth for relief.
If you cannot get whole cloves, you can put some powdered clove in an empty tea bag or coffee filter and put it on the affected tooth. Another way is to put some drops of clove oil on a Q-tip or cottonball and apply it to the tooth.
Warm Water And Salt
A simple gargle of salt and warm water can give you tremendous relief from the pain of tooth infection. You need to mix about two teaspoons of non-iodized, or kosher, salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water.
Make sure that the water is not too hot or too cold, as that can further irritate the tooth. Use the solution to rinse your mouth. Swish the mixture inside the mouth, focusing more on the affected tooth or gum area.
The salt has antiseptic properties that can help fight off the infection. It can also draw out fluids and reduce any swelling.
Raw Onion
Onion’s layers are metaphoric for the multitude of illnesses and medical conditions that it has proven to be useful in treating. If you are prone to toothaches, make sure your kitchen is stocked up with this pungent root.
It has strong sulfur compounds, which also make us cry, that give it incredible antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This means the onion will not only fight off infection, it will also help reduce swelling. You can directly apply a freshly-cut slice of onion on the infected tooth or gum area for immediate relief.
Tea Tree Oil
Known for its goodness for the skin, tea tree oil is also an effective remedy to treat superficial infections. This essential oil has been traditionally used in remedies for several mouth ailments, including tooth aches and infections.Tea tree oil has powerful antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties that can help disinfect tooth abscesses and wounds.
Its anti-inflammatory qualities allow it to reduce the swelling around the infected tooth and give you relief. You can directly apply tea tree oil, using a Q-tip or cottonball, to the affected area. Or you can make a gargle of a few drops of tea tree oil in a 5-ounce glass of water.
Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is hailed for its nutritional and health benefits. From being a detoxifier to lowering high blood pressure and healing wounds, wheatgrass is believed to be highly beneficial. It is also known to be effective in treating tooth infections and abscesses.
Wheatgrass is known to not only reduce pain from tooth decay, but also remove bacteria from the infected area. You can make a gargle of wheatgrass powder and water.
Garlic
This is another pungent root, besides onion, that is good for your palate as well as your body. Garlic is popular in home remedies for tooth infections and toothaches.
Because of its antibiotic properties, this root can help fight off infection and clean the affected tooth or gum area. It also has anti-inflammatory qualities that can take away swelling.
Simply put a sliver of fresh raw garlic on the infection and let it stay there, chewing on it from time to time. You can also make a gargle of garlic root and water and rinse your teeth and gums with it.
Ginger
Ginger has long been praised for its myriad of health benefits. It has been traditionally used to treat the common cold, flu, digestive disorders, inflammations and a lot more.
It’s no wonder then that ginger root is also helpful in treating tooth infection. This powerful root has strong anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling of the gums. The root also has germicidal compounds that can help fight off infection. You can put a fresh slice of ginger directly on the affected area and bite down for relief.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal has been used by Native American tribes in treating numerous health problems for millennia. From skin diseases to digestive disorders, this herb is known for its healing properties. Among its benefits is its use as a remedy for tooth infection.
Because it has powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory compounds, goldenseal is highly effective in remedies for teeth and gum problems. Put some powdered goldenseal directly on the affected area for relief.
Oil Of Oregano
If you are prone to tooth infection and toothache, make sure you have some oregano oil handy. Known to be beneficial in treating various problems, oil of oregano can help in treating infections in teeth. This herb’s oil has powerful anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and pain-killing compounds that can provide great relief from pain and swelling that can result from an infection.
Mix a few drops of oregano oil in virgin olive oil and apply it to the infected tooth. Alternatively, you can also put some drops of the oil on a wet tea bag and place the bag on the affected tooth for relief.
Photo Credit: http://www.curetoothdecay.com/Tooth_abscess.htm
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.
