Almost everyone has had a toothache at one point in their lives. These seemingly small problems can be an incredible inconvenience to normal daily life and possibly lead to more serious issues. Hot and cold foods will be difficult to eat, one may experience headaches and an inability to concentrate and the pain will be an annoyance all day long. While eventually a visit to the dentist may be the only option, in the meantime there are many natural tooth pain relief methods that can be used to help.

There are several reasons that one might be experiencing a toothache. The most common cause of a toothache is the dreaded cavity which, if left untreated, will grow and eventually cause more problems for the tooth. Tooth abscesses are infected sores in the mouth, just below the root of the tooth, and usually exhibit more of a throbbing and pulsing pain. Gum disease is a more serious problem which is not related to the tooth but can feel very much like a normal toothache. Wisdom teeth coming in will create pain as well, though unless they are impacted this is normal, if a bit uncomfortable. The pain from a toothache can often extend beyond the tooth or gums and into the cheek, ears, and jaw of a sufferer. Toothaches produce varying degrees of pain, from mild to severe, though the level of pain is not always equal to the seriousness of the problem.

There are many natural home remedies that help with tooth pain relief.

• Clove oil – A mixture is formed by using a few drops of pure clove oil with 1/3rd of a teaspoon of olive oil. The mixture is then soaked into a cotton ball and placed beside the tooth.
• Activated charcoal – 2 teaspoons of activated charcoal powder mixed with water into a paste. The paste is applied to gauze and placed on the tooth.
• Cold Ice Pack – Will numb the tooth, alleviating the pain and relieving any swelling that may occur.
• Garlic – A very old and traditional cure, garlic can be mashed into a paste and placed on the tooth.
• Onion – A small piece of onion, placed over the area will help to reduce pain. This has the added bonus of killing germs in the mouth.
• Lime – Eating a raw lime, including the peel
• Wheat grass – When chewed, wheat grass will draw the toxins from the gums and relieve the pain.
• Bay Berry – A paste of bark of bay berry made with vinegar and then applied to the tooth. Also helps to strengthen the gum.

The best way to help with toothaches is, of course, to avoid them. Such practices as limiting sugar intake, eating ‘detergent foods’ such as raw veggies and whole grains, and making sure to have enough calcium and vitamin C will all work towards preventing cavities. Of course, brushing teeth regularly is always a smart choice as well.

If left untreated for too long, a toothache may end up turning into an emergency dentist visit. Home remedies will help with symptoms, but it is essential to visit a dentist and find the root cause of the problem. Recurring or severely painful toothaches should be taken care of permanently and not just alleviated.