TOP HOME DENTAL REMEDIES Part 2

As promised last time, today's blog offers three more dental remedies you can try at home if you have a toothache.  Cavities often cause tooth pain, along with fillings that have come loose, an abscess (pocket of infection at the gum line), cracked tooth, or a sinus infection.  One caveat before I begin, however, is that you should ALWAYS contact your dentist and arrange for an appointment at the very first sign of severe oral pain.  Never wait.  That being said, here are a couple of very popular tried and true remedies:

1. CLOVE OIL TO THE RESCUE - Cloves are traditionally used for numbing nerves; the primary chemical component of cloves is eugenol, a natural anesthetic.  You need to be careful to keep the oil off sensitive gum tissue and your tongue.  Put a couple drops on a cotton ball and place it against the tooth itself until the pain subsides.  You can also use powdered cloves or place a whole clove on the painful tooth.  Chew the whole clove gently to release its oil and keep in place for up to 30 minutes or until pain subsides.
2. SWISH SOME SALT WATER - A teaspoon of salt dissolved in a cup of boiling water makes a painkilling mouthwash, which helps to clean away irritating debris and help reduce swelling.  Swish for about 30 seconds.  Salt water cleanses the area around the tooth and draws out some of the fluid that causes swelling.  Repeat as needed.
3. COVER A CRACKED TOOTH WITH GUM - If you've broken a tooth or have lost a filling, you can relieve some pain by covering the exposed area with softened chewing gum.  This might work with a loose filling as well, to hold it in place until you can get to the dentist.  To avoid further discomfort, avoid chewing anything with that tooth until you can have it repaired.

These are a few of the most popular ideas you can use at home when experiencing tooth pain.  I hope you find this informational.  Remember, contact your dentist if you are experiencing severe pain.