If you have a persistent toothache, only a dentist can diagnose the problem. But for temporary discomfort that’s not the result of a serious condition or to augment professional treatment with natural pain relief, these homeopathic remedies may help relieve your symptoms.
What Are the Best Options for Managing Tooth Pain With Homeopathy?
Of the dozens of homeopathic options for relieving tooth pain, these are among the most effective:
• Salt Water Rinses
Salt is a natural disinfectant that reduces gum inflammation. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt into four ounces of warm water and use it as a mouthwash four times daily. I actually find this one to be the most effective treatment for my own mouth pain, especially if I start using it as soon as I feel a problem.
• Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is a nutrient-packed superfood with healing properties. Blend it into a smoothie once daily for all-over pain relief or use the juice as a mouthwash. It’s a topical antiseptic.
• Chamomile
Chamomile has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Used as a mouthwash, it soothes nerve hypersensitivity and can ease pain better than over-the-counter analgesics for some people.
• Hypericum perforatum
Also known as St. John’s Wort, Hypericum perforatum dulls pain that follows a nerve’s path. It’s an excellent choice if you suffer from a persistent tooth or jaw ache for weeks after a filling.
• Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse
A popular ingredient in toothpaste, hydrogen peroxide is a mild disinfectant that reduces inflammation and can help heal bleeding gums. But don’t swallow it. Mix 3-percent peroxide with an equal part of warm water and use it as a mouthwash in the morning and evening.
• Cold Compresses
A cold compress applied to your cheek relieves pain and swelling by causing blood vessels in the area to constrict. Apply a towel-wrapped bag to the affected area for 10-20 minutes every few hours.
• Calendula
Calendula comes from marigolds and has been used for centuries to treat pain and infection. Taken orally as a tincture, it’s a potent anti-inflammatory. When applied to the gums, it kills bacteria and promotes healing.
Can I Place Anything Topical on the Area That Hurts?
Topical homeopathic remedies speed relief right to the source. Options you may already have in your kitchen include:
• Peppermint Tea Bags
Peppermint is an age-old remedy with antiseptic and analgesic properties. It numbs pains and soothes sensitive gums. Apply a moistened tea bag to the affected area — use it warm or chilled.
• Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract contains antioxidants and alcohol. Put a dab on a clean finger or a cotton swab and apply it directly to the painful area every six hours.
• Clove Oil
Clove contains eugenol, a natural antiseptic and antifungal treatment. The relief doesn’t last long, but it can numb nerve pain on contact and can be used as often as necessary for severe discomfort.
Rub a drop directly on the tooth or add it to water to make a mouthwash. If you don’t have clove oil handy, you can mix a dash of ground clove from your spice rack into a drop of vegetable oil.
• Ginger Root
Ginger root is the go-to homeopathic treatment for a wide range of uncomfortable maladies. For a toothache, bite on it with the affected tooth, letting the juice reach the irritated nerve or tissue. It also has antibacterial properties and could help ward off infection.
• Garlic
Garlic is nature’s wonder drug. A natural antibiotic, it may address both the symptoms and root cause of dental pain. Bite a fresh slice over the tooth or apply a poultice of crushed garlic and salt mixed in olive oil.
Are There Any Risks to Homeopathic Medicine in My Mouth?
Most homeopathic treatments are made with ingredients you can eat, so if you tolerate them in food, there’s little risk to using them therapeutically. Caution is warranted, however, since some dosages are concentrated.
It’s also possible to develop an allergic reaction to a substance that could cause localized irritation. The effects shouldn’t be systemic unless the medicine is swallowed.
A good rule is to start with low doses and assess your response — homeopaths call it “proving.” Treatments should be used as directed and discontinued if they don’t help or when the pain stops.
What Are the Possible Reasons for My Tooth Pain?
There are many causes of tooth pain, but the most common are:
• Decay
Cavities caused by decayed tooth enamel allow air and liquids to penetrate the tooth where they irritate the nerve.
• A Cracked or Broken Tooth
Like decay, fractures in teeth create an easy pathway for hot and cold liquids to trigger nerve pain.
• Abscess
An abscess is a localized infection deep beneath your tooth. The pressure causes pain, and left untreated, bacteria can enter the bloodstream — a dangerous condition known as sepsis.
• Sleep Bruxism
Grinding your teeth at night can cause tooth and jaw pain ranging from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing sensation. Over time, it wears down enamel and leaves teeth more prone to injury or decay.
When Should I Go See the Dentist?
If the pain doesn’t respond to home care, see a dentist as soon as possible.
Worrisome symptoms include:
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Trouble breathing or swallowing
• Thick, yellow discharge from around the affected tooth
Early treatment may prevent conditions from worsening.
