Toothaches can happen due to multiple reasons. If you experience a shooting pain in your tooth or gums due to a stuck food particle, decay or bacterial infection, broken tooth or damaged fillings, address them at the earliest. While chronic tooth pain must be clinically diagnosed, certain pains can be relieved by following some home care for tooth pain. Home remedies are simple methods you can try at home to relieve tooth pain.

Pregnant women and those who are undergoing treatment for any other disease must consult a dentist before using the following toothache home remedies:

Warm salt water mouthwash
Warm salt water gargles can be the first thing you do if you experience tooth pain. Stir about half a teaspoon of table salt into 8 ounces of warm water. Sip a mouthful, lift your head up and swish it within your mouth for 60 seconds. Do not swallow the water. It can help remove any food particles stuck in your teeth or gums. Do it about three to four times a day before eating. It can reduce inflammation and also serve as a disinfectant. If you have an ulcer, it can prevent more ulcers from forming.

Gargling with hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has antibacterial properties. It can remove bacteria that form out of plaque or gum disease. Always use low-concentration 3% hydrogen peroxide for toothache relief. You can find them in many stores. Combine 1 part of hydrogen peroxide with two parts of water. Sip a mouthful of this liquid, tilt your head backwards and swish it in your mouth for 60 seconds. It is important to count the time as doctors do not recommend gargling with hydrogen peroxide for more than 90 seconds.

A cold compress or ice pack
Dentists generally advise an ice cream after extracting a tooth for children or adults. This is because the ice cream acts as a cold compress and reduces any swelling that may be causing the pain. If gasses are trapped in your tooth, a cold compress contracts the gasses and stops the pain. Ice or a cold compress reduces the inflammation and the associated pain. You can use a readymade cold compress, a frozen food pack or wrap some ice cubes on a towel and use it on the cheeks for about 20 minutes. You can do this several times for toothache relief.

Garlic
Garlic is one of the most powerful pantry items with anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains allicin which is a compound with antibacterial properties. It is most effective for toothache caused by bacterial infection and cavities. Crush two garlic pods, mix them with a pinch of salt and apply it to the affected area

Cloves
Cloves are rich in eugenol, an anesthetic, and contain anti-inflammatory properties. It can reduce pain and inflammation. Cloves are a trusted remedy if you look for home care for tooth pain. Push a dry clove to the corner of your mouth or hold it between the teeth, causing pain. Hold it in and allow the juices to seep in. Do not chew it in a hurry. Alternatively, you can also soak a piece of cotton in clove oil and place it on the affected area.

Essential oils
Essential oils can provide toothache relief and reduce your discomfort. Always use essential oils that have the necessary certifications. Following are some of the essential oils that can reduce tooth pain:

Dip a peppermint tea bag in water and place it on the affected tooth
Rub a drop of Frankincense oil on the tooth that is causing pain

You can also mix the oils with a carrier oil, soak a piece of cotton in the essential oil mixture and place it on the affected tooth to relieve the pain. You can also soak a piece of cotton in bourbon or vanilla extract and place it on the tooth to reduce the pain.

If you don’t feel better or do not see any improvement in the tooth pain, or if the pain increases, contact your doctor or dentist to prevent worsening of symptoms.

Emergencies where you cannot use toothache home remedies
Though home care for tooth pain can help bring toothache relief, it is important to know when to try home care and when you must go to the doctor. Do not try home remedies for toothache relief and go to a doctor in the following situations:

Facial swelling that affects your speech or vision
Inability to open your mouth
Loss of consciousness or vomiting
Swelling in your face, eye and neck with tooth pain
Continuous bleeding after a tooth extraction
Bleeding due to an injury or trauma
Bleeding after your tooth falls out
Any pain that is unresponsive to painkillers

If you still cannot get instant toothache relief by following the above-mentioned home remedies, consult a dentist to get it checked. Untreated dental problems can worsen over time, leading to other complications.