3 easy cures for a toothache
If a toothache strikes someone in your family, your first step should be to dial a dentist.
Toothaches indicate a problem that likely won't go away-a lost filling, a cavity, or a serious infection. After you've made an appointment, try these home remedies to deal with the pain.
PEPPERMINT TEA: Because of its anti-inflammatory compounds, peppermint has a soothing ability. Make a cup of the tea, let it cool to room temperature, take a sip, then swish as needed. Another kitchen-cupboard option: cloves. For decades, clove oil was a mainstay in dentists' offices for numbing pain. Take three to five whole cloves and tuck them between the gum and the sore tooth. A pinch of ground cloves also works.
ICE: Canadian researchers found that rubbing an ice cube on people's hands can dull the pain of a toothache in about half of those tested. Wrap the ice in a thin washcloth and rub it into the fleshy part between your thumb and forefinger. The sensation seems to crowd out the pain messages going to your brain from your tooth.
CHEWING GUM: If you've lost a filling or cracked a tooth, fill the exposed area with a piece of softened sugarless chewing gum. This will protect the sensitive area until you get the tooth fixed.
