Effective Tooth Pain Relief Methods and Foods to Avoid

Tooth pain is certainly one of the discomforts that everyone has experienced at least once in their life, affecting mood and daily life. How can you relieve the pain quickly without medication? Are there simple tips to help you escape this discomfort? In this article, The East Rose Dental Clinic will discuss 10 effective home remedies for tooth pain relief and explore foods to avoid in order to prevent the pain from getting worse.

Causes of Tooth Pain You Need to Know

Tooth pain can stem from various underlying causes. Understanding the reasons behind the pain helps not only in finding effective relief but also in preventing more serious issues in the future. Below are some common causes of tooth pain:

• Tooth Decay: Tooth decay is the leading cause of tooth pain. Bacteria attack the enamel and create cavities, which can stimulate the nerves inside the tooth and cause pain.
• Pulpitis: Inflammation or infection of the tooth pulp due to bacteria or trauma can cause severe pain, even when drinking water, especially during eating or chewing.
• Wisdom Teeth: The eruption of wisdom teeth often causes discomfort due to a lack of space for the tooth to grow properly, leading to swelling and gum inflammation, especially in the 7th molars closest to the wisdom teeth.
• Gingivitis or Periodontitis: Inflamed gums or infected tooth roots due to poor oral hygiene can cause widespread tooth pain, accompanied by persistent discomfort.
• Enamel Erosion: Consuming highly acidic foods or grinding teeth over time can wear down tooth enamel, making your teeth sensitive and prone to pain.
• Tooth Abscess: An abscess is a serious infection at the root or gum, causing swelling and pain and potentially leading to dangerous complications if not treated promptly.
• Trauma or tooth fractures: Accidentally cracked, broken, or impacted teeth can expose the tooth pulp, causing sharp pain when touched.

10 Effective Home Remedies for Tooth Pain

Tooth pain can occur suddenly and disrupt your daily activities. However, you may not always be able to visit a dentist immediately. Below are some natural remedies to effectively relieve pain at home.

Rinsing with Warm Saltwater

Warm saltwater is a natural, safe, and easy solution for tooth pain relief. The main component of saltwater is sodium chloride (NaCl), which creates a hypertonic environment that helps draw water from swollen cells and reduce pressure on the surrounding tissues. Saltwater also stimulates blood circulation, aiding the faster recovery of damaged cells.

Applying a Cold Compress

Ice reduces the temperature in the affected area, inhibiting the activity of sensory nerves in that region. As the temperature drops, pain signals to the brain are reduced or interrupted. Additionally, the cold constricts blood vessels in the inflamed area, reducing blood flow, slowing down swelling, and alleviating pressure on the nerves. Therefore, dental clinics commonly use this folk remedy to effectively relieve patient pain.

Using Clove Oil

Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural compound with local anaesthetic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. It helps relieve tooth pain by inhibiting inflammatory mediators and killing bacteria in the infected area. You can apply a drop of clove oil to a clean cotton ball and place it directly on the painful tooth for 5–10 minutes, or you can mix a few drops of the oil with warm water to use as a mouth rinse.

Chewing fresh guava leaves.

Guava leaves contain flavonoids and tannins, two compounds that have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and pain-relieving properties. They help reduce gum inflammation and limit the growth of bacteria that cause tooth pain. Specifically, these compounds inhibit enzymes that cause inflammation in the affected area, soothing the pain and reducing swelling. You can chew a clean guava leaf directly or boil it to use as a mouth rinse 2-3 times a day.

Drinking Peppermint Tea

The main ingredient in peppermint, menthol, has a cooling and mild numbing effect, helping to soothe tooth pain. Menthol also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, preventing the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Therefore, this is an effective remedy when you're experiencing toothache.

Fresh Ginger

Ginger contains gingerol, a compound with strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It inhibits enzymes that cause inflammation, helping to reduce pain and prevent swelling. Additionally, ginger stimulates the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections. You can chew a slice of fresh ginger directly or crush it and apply it to the painful tooth for a few minutes.

Using Onion

Onion is a common ingredient in every Vietnamese household and is effective in relieving tooth pain. It contains quercetin, a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. It helps reduce swelling and effectively alleviate tooth pain. Like fresh ginger, you can chew it directly or crush it and apply it to the painful area.

Chewing Garlic to Relieve Tooth Pain

Garlic is not only a familiar spice in the kitchen but also a "natural remedy" with effective tooth pain-relieving properties. This folk method is popular due to its simplicity, safety, and high effectiveness.

Allicin in garlic is a strong antibacterial that helps get rid of bacteria that cause infections in the mouth, especially Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus, which are two of the main bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory effects, reducing swelling and pressure on the nerves around the painful tooth. Garlic also helps prevent secondary infections in the mouth.

Using Over-the-Counter Painkillers

People commonly choose over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen for quick toothache relief. However, this is only a temporary method, and you should avoid overusing it. It’s best to visit a dentist for a thorough examination and treatment of the underlying issue.

Elevating your pillow while sleeping

Elevating your pillow while sleeping is also a simple way to reduce tooth pain effectively. Lying with your head higher than your heart helps decrease blood pressure in the painful tooth area, reducing swelling and relieving discomfort. This will help you fall asleep more easily and feel more comfortable.

Foods to Avoid When You Have a Toothache

Toothaches are not only uncomfortable but can also worsen the condition of your oral health if you're not careful with your diet. Certain foods can increase pain, irritate the affected area, or promote bacterial growth. To reduce pain and support the healing process, you should avoid the following foods:

• Sugary foods and drinks: Candy, pastries, sodas, and sweetened beverages contain high amounts of sugar, creating a favourable environment for bacteria to grow and increasing the risk of cavities and infections.
• Hard or chewy foods: Hard nuts, crusty bread, or chewy meats like dried chicken can further damage the affected tooth area and exacerbate the pain.
• Extremely hot or cold foods and drinks: Ice cream, iced beverages, hot water, or freshly cooked foods can trigger nerve sensitivity in the affected tooth, causing sharp pain.
• Spicy, sour, or highly acidic foods: foods like chilli, lemons, oranges, and vinegar can irritate and worsen inflammation in the affected area.
• Alcoholic and stimulant drinks: Alcohol, beer, and coffee can dry out the mouth and hinder the healing process, increasing the risk of infection.

At-home tooth pain relief is only temporary. If not treated promptly, the condition can persist and impact your quality of life. If the pain doesn't subside, please visit The East Rose Dental Clinic for a proper examination and timely treatment to avoid unnecessary risks.