Toothache is one of the most annoying and difficult to bear pains. If you are worried about your tooth and are looking for a remedy capable of giving you quick relief, know that there is a cure-all that can soothe the pain and kill particular germs: clove essential oil. If the pain has lasted for more than two days or if you notice signs of a possible infection, see your dentist right away. Additional therapy may be needed to prevent any complications.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Apply Clove Essential Oil
Step 1. Buy a 100% pure oil preferably organic
Only a pure oil of excellent quality can relieve toothache, so don't settle for a mediocre product. Check the label and read the ingredients list to make sure clove essential oil is the only component.
You can buy clove essential oil at a herbalist's shop or online
Step 2. Soak a cotton swab in oil and wipe it over the tooth and gum
Clove essential oil can be applied directly to the tooth to ease pain. Dip the tip of the cotton swab into the oil and apply it directly on and around the tooth where you feel pain.
- Be especially cautious in the nerve area in case it is discovered.
- Clove essential oil doesn't taste good, but you will get used to it over time.
- Try to ingest as little oil as possible.
Step 3. Wait 20 minutes, then rinse your mouth with salt water
Leave the essential oil on the tooth and gum for 20 minutes. Start the timer and don't eat or drink anything in the meantime. Also try to ingest as little oil as possible. At the end, rinse your mouth with a saline solution prepared with 180 ml of hot water and 3 g (about half a teaspoon) of salt. Finish the treatment by rinsing your mouth with warm water only.
Salt water also helps to relieve toothache. You can use it to rinse your mouth every 2-3 hours
Method 2 of 4: Make a Clove Essential Oil Tablet
Step 1. Rinse your mouth with salt water before using the tablet
Prepare the saline solution by dissolving 3 g of salt (about half a teaspoon) in 180 ml of hot water. Sip the water and swirl it around your teeth and gums. When finished, spit it into the sink and rinse your mouth with hot water. This step is to clean the mouth and pre-treat the aching tooth.
- The salt performs a disinfectant action.
- Keep the leftover saline solution to rinse your mouth after treatment.
Step 2. Pour half a teaspoon (about 3ml) of olive oil into a bowl
It will be used to dilute the essential oil of cloves, since in excessive doses it could irritate teeth and gums, and to mitigate the not very pleasant taste. Measure half a teaspoon (about 3 ml) of olive oil and pour it into a bowl.
If possible, use extra virgin olive oil
Step 3. Add 2-3 drops of clove essential oil
Use a reusable dropper pipette if your essential oil bottle doesn't have one. Pour the drops of essential oil into the bowl with the olive oil, being careful not to add too many. Mix the two oils with a spoon.
Step 4. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture
Wait until the cotton is saturated to ensure effective action on the tooth.
The cotton ball must be able to cover both the tooth and the gum
Step 5. Place the cotton ball on the tooth and gently close the jaw to hold it in place
Make sure the entire tooth and surrounding gum are in contact with the oil-soaked cotton wool. Gently bite into the cotton to hold it in place. Don't squeeze too much to avoid pain.
Step 6. Leave the tablet on for 20 minutes
Start the timer and try to relax while the oil does its job. When the time runs out, discard the cotton and rinse your mouth with the leftover saline. Finally, perform a final rinse with hot water.
Method 3 of 4: Alternative Uses of Cloves
Step 1. Try using whole cloves
In the absence of oil, you can use the cloves that you keep at home among the spices. Take a couple and place them on the teeth next to the sore one. After a few minutes the saliva will have made them softer and you can bite them gently to make sure that they release their oils. Hold them on the area where you feel pain for 20 minutes.
- At the end, rinse your mouth with a saline solution prepared with warm water and salt as indicated above.
- Whole cloves have a very strong taste and can cause a slight tingling in the mouth. This is a normal effect that should wear off within ten minutes along with the taste of cloves.
- You can buy whole cloves from the supermarket in the spice department.
Step 2. Use ground cloves
In addition to whole cloves, you can use powdered cloves to soothe a toothache. Pour 1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves into a bowl and add 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil. Stir, dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it directly to the aching tooth and surrounding gum.
- Let the clove powder infused oil sit for 20 minutes. At the end, rinse your mouth with a saline solution prepared with warm water and salt as indicated above.
- If you are in a hurry, you can apply a pinch of clove powder directly to the area where you feel pain. The powder will combine with the saliva and coat the tooth.
- You can find powdered cloves at the grocery store next to whole ones.
Step 3. Prepare a solution to rinse with
Create an infusion to use to soothe a toothache. Put 10-15 whole cloves in a pot of water. Let the water simmer on a low heat for 15 minutes, then turn off the stove and wait for it to cool down to room temperature. Strain the infusion, pour it into a cup and use it for rinsing. Swirl it around your gums and teeth for a minute. When finished, spit it into the sink.
- You can use the advanced infusion to rinse in the following days. Keep it in a bottle and use it whenever you have a toothache.
- This infusion relieves toothache and is also useful for killing bacteria and freshening the mouth.
- If the water tastes too strong, you can add a sprig of sage or thyme.
Method 4 of 4: Knowing When to Go to the Dentist
Step 1. Go to the dentist if your toothache has lasted for more than two days
If the pain does not go away, the tooth in question is most likely in need of treatment. It could be a cavity, a broken tooth or a missed filling. If you don't take action, the problem could become serious and cause unpleasant and costly complications. The dentist will be able to diagnose and treat the disorder by putting an end to the pain.
- Contact your dentist and describe all symptoms.
- When you go to his office, let him know that you have used cloves to ease the pain.
Step 2. See your dentist right away if you have a fever or suspect you have an infection
In some cases, a diseased tooth can become infected. When this happens, it is important to take prompt action to prevent the infection from spreading or worsening. Your dentist will prescribe a treatment or intervene directly to help you heal as quickly as possible. Call him if you have any of these symptoms that may indicate an infection:
- Fever;
- Swelling;
- Pain when you chew
- Red gums
- Unpleasant taste near the painful area
- Respiratory difficulties;
- Difficulty swallowing.
Step 3. Undergo the necessary tests to diagnose the tooth problem
The dentist will observe the tooth and may tap it with a special tool. He will look for any signs related to the presence of a caries. He or she will likely want to take an x-ray so that he can make a more accurate diagnosis.
- In some cases, when the problem is obvious to the naked eye, taking an x-ray may be unnecessary. However, it can be helpful in determining how best to intervene.
- Radiography is a simple and completely painless examination.
Step 4. Discuss possible treatments with your dentist
After he explains what the problem is, the dentist will show you the best options for treating it. It will generally intervene in one of the following ways:
- If you have cavities, it will remove the deteriorated part of the tooth and perform a filling.
- If the toothache is due to a missed filling, he will replace it.
- If the tooth is broken, he will fill it or apply a crown or dental capsule. In severe cases it will be necessary to devitalize the tooth before covering it.
Advice
Clove essential oil soothes toothaches because it contains eugenol, a substance that acts similar to anti-inflammatory drugs. Eugenol also has antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal and antioxidant properties
Warnings
- Clove essential oil should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding because it can cause unwanted effects.
- In general, clove essential oil can be considered safe, but in some cases it can cause an allergic reaction. If you notice that your gums become irritated or if you experience any other unwanted symptoms, consult your doctor to rule out the possibility that it is an allergic reaction.
- Do not ingest clove essential oil because in large quantities it could lead to serious complications, such as liver or kidney problems.
- Do not use clove essential oil on a child, especially if he is under two years of age, as it can be dangerous, especially if he were to ingest it.
