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How to Get Rid of Toothache Pain

Amanda Gurton 7 min read Beginner
Home Remedies For Toothache pain

Quick summary

This article offers home remedies to temporarily relieve toothache pain while waiting for dental care. It recommends warm salt-water rinses, peppermint tea, a hydrogen-peroxide mouthwash, ice compresses, and chewing raw onion or garlic to reduce bacteria and numb irritated nerves. The guide also covers sleeping with head elevated, avoiding sugary foods, and seeking a dentist promptly if pain lasts more than a day or comes with swelling or fever.

Key Takeaways

  • Warm salt water rinses help clean debris and reduce bacteria around an aching tooth.
  • Peppermint tea and ice can numb irritated nerves and temporarily ease discomfort.
  • Avoid sugary and acidic foods while healing to prevent further irritation and bacterial growth.
  • Persistent toothache, swelling, or fever means it is time to see a dentist.

Anyone who has ever experienced a toothache will agree that it is quite painful,  it can make one lose weight because of failure to eat, it will give one sleepless night, it pains and leaves no room for breathing.  Well, today there are several toothache home remedies that have been used  effectively as a remedy for this condition:Home Remedies For Toothache pain

  • First, boil some water, leave it to cool and add a pinch of salt. Swish the saline solutions  as many times possible to sanitize the debris as well as to minimize the pain.  The saline should be warm so that in the process of swishing it around the mouth, any micro-organisms that might be present are also done away with. This is what results into a toothache are the smelly fluids that accumulate in between the teeth.   The process should be repeated for as many as the pain disappears.
  • Another way to get rid of toothache pain is through using soda ash that is basic in nature. Its baseness makes it effective in neutralizing the acidic PH that is generated in the mouth as a result of the accumulation of the dirty fluid. In return, after the neutralization, toothache will now reduce.
  • Did you know that peppermint tea is one of the best home remedies for toothache? This is mainly because it numbs the nerves, hence no message will be sent to the brain, including what the body feels e.g. pain.

The procedure is as  simple as;

  • Boil one cup of water
  • Put a teaspoonful of peppermint into the glass of water
  • Stir for thirty minutes
  • Swish the tea around in the mouth and spit the tea after swishing. For others who can’t swish can consider biting a teabag in between the affected tooth.
  • In a glassful of pure water, add three teaspoonful of hydrogen peroxide and swish around in the mouth. Do not swallow the mixture as this might be harmful. Moreover, do not put excess amounts of hydrogen peroxide thinking that it would help relieve the pain sooner, this can affect the teeth. Hydrogen peroxide is best known for mouth washing abilities. It helps in cleaning the debris, thus reducing the pain.  After swishing it around the mouth, it is necessary that the mouth should be rinsed with clean water.
  • Ice cubes can also be used to make the tooth or the nerves numb and in return, this will help reduce the pain. After making an ice cube, take one piece, wrap it in a clean piece of clothe then bite it in between the affected tooth for thirty minutes.  But, according t researchers, the hands are closely connected with the teeth, hence, when the ice is rubbed on the hands, a numb message will be sent to the brain then reducing the pain.
  • Well, another most effective way of reducing toothache is through brushing the teeth regularly using the right brush with quality brittle and the right toothpaste. Then rinse the teeth with clean water.

Home remedies for toothache pain

According to researchers,  the affected tooth should be wrapped using a bandage or a clean piece of clothe then again tied around the head to  warm the cheeks thus, reducing toothache pain.  According to a few individuals who have suffered from this kind of pain,  one can gargle garlic solution by grinding garlic cloves and mixing with warm water or putting a few drops of alcohol.   This solution should be gargled two to three times a day and on a daily basis over a period of time.

Some people use chloroform, others use arsenic while others just use the ice cubes to kill the pain. The choice depends on the available resources and what one prefers using.

Did you know that you can fill a broken tooth from home? Well, do not be surprised, it is possible and this is one of the best remedies to kill a toothache pain from home.  Just take soften chewing gum and use it to cover the holes.  But, this will be a temporary solution as the gum can only be held in place for a few hours since an individual cannot eat with that gum in between the teeth.

Have ever tried out acupressure to kill toothache?   Well, applying pressure can only work for individuals who are not pregnant as much pressure on an expectant can be harmful to the baby.

It is always better to prevent than to cure, how about putting in place preventive measures such as doing away with sugary foods such as sweets, ice creams, sodas, and licking sugar among others and instead consider taking things like milk, carrots, boiled maize among others. Well, this is one of the best ways to ensure that the teeth remain in good condition no matter what.

Moreover, one should also avoid misusing the teeth using the teeth to open a bottle of soda, tearing a piece of cloth, biting plastics, to mention but a few. Even though one feels convenient to use the teeth anyhow, but, the impact is felt later when there are holes all over the teeth and the pain cannot be helped.

Whenever there is a strong toothache, one should avoid chewing using the side of the affected side to reduce pain because when food particles enter the holes, the teeth tend to pain a lot. Moreover, they also accumulate inside the hole thus, leading to formation of more bacteria that will definitely trigger the pain.

Onions can also be used to quell the toothache pain because it comes with antimicrobial properties  that can easily relieve the pain.  This is possible because these properties help in killing the germs causing infection.  It is important to choose a fresh and mature onion because immature ones may also lead to gum problems.  Chew the onions for ten to twenty minutes to relieve the pain.  In case one is unable to chew,  it is possible to grind a piece of onion and place it on the affected tooth and wait for ten minutes.

Common Causes of Toothache Pain

Understanding what triggers toothache pain can help you choose the right remedy and know when professional care is needed. Cavities are the most frequent culprit, created when bacteria eat away at enamel and expose sensitive inner layers of the tooth. Gum disease, a cracked tooth, an abscess, or a damaged filling can also produce sharp or throbbing discomfort. Inflammation around the roots or trapped food particles between teeth often makes the pain feel worse after meals or at night.

How to Sleep Better With a Toothache

Toothache pain often intensifies when you lie down because increased blood flow to the head raises pressure around an inflamed tooth. To make sleep easier, rinse with warm salt water and brush gently before bed, then avoid eating sugary or acidic snacks. Keep your head elevated on an extra pillow, and place a cold compress against your cheek for ten to fifteen minutes before turning out the light. If you use peppermint tea or clove oil, apply it shortly before bedtime so the numbing effect lasts through the night.

When Home Remedies Are Not Enough

Natural remedies can calm mild toothache pain, but they do not replace dental treatment. Seek professional care if pain lasts more than one or two days, if you notice facial swelling, fever, a bad taste in the mouth, or difficulty opening your jaw. These signs may point to an infection or abscess that requires prompt attention. A dentist can clean the affected area, prescribe antibiotics if needed, and repair the underlying problem so the pain does not return.

For related advice, see [Home Remedies for Sore Throat Pain and Cough](/home-remedies-for-sore-throat-pain-and-cough), [How to Get Rid of Knee Pain](/how-to-get-rid-of-knee-pain) and [How to Get Rid of Lower Back Pain](/how-to-get-rid-of-lower-back-pain).

Dentists commonly recommend starting with gentle salt water rinses and careful oral hygiene when mild toothache pain appears, since these steps reduce bacteria and inflammation without irritating the gums. They also caution that home remedies should never delay professional evaluation when pain is severe, swollen, or long-lasting, because treating the underlying cause is the only way to prevent complications and achieve lasting relief.

Amanda Gurton Expert opinion

Conclusion

Toothache pain can disrupt eating, sleeping, and daily life, but several home remedies can offer short-term comfort. Warm salt water, baking soda, peppermint tea, hydrogen peroxide rinses, ice, garlic, and onions each target different causes of discomfort, from bacteria to nerve sensitivity. Using the right remedy for your symptoms, along with gentle brushing and careful eating habits, can help you manage the pain until you receive proper dental care.

Home treatments are a helpful first step, yet they are not a permanent fix. Pay close attention to warning signs such as swelling, fever, or pain that refuses to fade, and schedule a dental appointment promptly. Combining smart home care with professional treatment is the most reliable way to get rid of toothache pain and protect your long-term oral health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rinse with warm salt water two to three times a day, or after meals, to reduce bacteria and loosen debris between teeth. Swish gently for about thirty seconds each time.
It is safer to dissolve baking soda in water and rinse with the solution rather than applying dry powder directly to the tooth or gums, which may irritate sensitive tissue.
Lying down increases blood flow to the head, which raises pressure around an inflamed tooth and can make throbbing pain feel more intense.
Crushed garlic has natural antimicrobial properties, but it can burn or irritate the gums if used too often. Mix it with warm water or apply it briefly, and stop if irritation occurs.
See a dentist if pain lasts more than one to two days, or if you have swelling, fever, a bad taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, or trouble opening your jaw.

Last updated

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed dermatologist or healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.

A
Amanda Gurton

Beauty & Hair Care Editor

Amanda Gurton is a beauty editor and researcher with a focus on translating dermatology and trichology insights into clear, actionable advice. She covers skincare routines, hair health, ingredient science, and everyday beauty habits.

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