subject: Natural remedies for toothache [print this page] Natural remedies for toothache Natural remedies for toothache
Toothache can be excruciating, at its worst dominating eating, sleeping and working habits and making it very difficult to lead a normal life. Over-the-counter painkillers work well for some people, while for others they simply serve to take the edge off until dental treatment can be sought. Natural remedies can relieve the pain for some people and for those whose bodies don't respond to painkillers, they might be worth further investigation.
Diet, dental hygiene and lifestyle are the three most likely variables that will ultimately determine the everyday health of your teeth and gums. Simple and dentist-recommended ways of minimising the risk of tooth decay, erosions and gum disease include eating a varied diet that's rich in vitamin C and calcium (both of which are essential for strong bones and teeth), cutting down on the intake of fizzy drinks and sugary foods, stopping smoking and brushing twice a day with a good toothbrush and paste.
If tooth pain occurs and you are unable to secure an appointment with your dentist straight away, your first port of call will probably be the high street chemist, but assuming that what they give you doesn't work, try chewing cloves or rubbing clove oil on the affected area. This is believed to have pain relieving qualities but it's worth noting that this is not scientifically proven. For those that find the taste of cloves unpleasant, chewing on fresh spinach is also said to relieve pain, as is the juice from wheat grass, a few drops of vanilla extract (not essence) or whole garlic cloves, all of which can be applied to the affected tooth or area of gum and are said by some to provide pain relief.
It's also worth trying more traditional methods of pain relief such as applying a hot water bottle, wheat pack or ice pack to the part of the cheek nearest to the painful tooth. Rubbing an ice cube between the thumb and forefinger is based on the same theory; the cold overwhelming the pain sensors in your body. Also try exercising which results in an increase in blood flow around the body which in turn may ease pain by flushing harmful toxins away more quickly and delivering fresh oxygen to the affected area.
While none of these natural remedies are proven to work in 100 per cent of cases, some people swear by them and it can be worthwhile giving them a try until you are able to see your dentist if painkillers don't work. Nothing betters a trip to a dental professional when you are experiencing dental pain and most practices will offer emergency appointments to minimise waiting times. If you are worried about the costs of dental treatment, a health care cash plan might be the way to put your mind at ease by ensuring that you are able to afford routine treatments, including trips to the dental hygienist to minimise the risk of further problems.
Talk to a Financial Services Authority (FSA) approved company to see if the dental benefits offered as part of a health care cash plan could be right for you as an alternative to a dental plan, helping make routine dental health care affordable.
