A toothache refers to pain that occurs in the area of the teeth, jaws and gums. Toothaches may be caused by a variety of problems such as dental cavities, exposed tooth rot, a cracked tooth, gum diseases, and so on. Pain from a toothache can vary from mild to severe and from sharp and sporadic pain to dull and persistent. It does pay to be prepared with toothache first aid because toothaches can strike without warning. Toothache pain can very often be excruciating and this may be further aggravated by exposure to cold or hot foods. Toothache remedies are highly sought after because they can offer significant toothache pain relief and are particularly useful for those who cannot turn to pharmaceutical products, as would be the case of some suffering a toothache during pregnancy. A toothache remedy may be unlikely to cure the problem but the relief it offers can help greatly, particularly in the absence of any immediate treatment for toothaches.



Toothache home remedies are commonly sought after information because tooth aches are a very common problem and can occur without warning. Teeth are an amazing balance of form and function, aesthetic beauty and engineering. Good teeth are an important part of one's health and appearance.



Toothache remedies at home can be particularly useful for pregnant women because while pregnant, most pharmaceutical and over the counter pain medications are off limits. The appearance of wisdom teeth is quite commonly a cause for toothaches and tooth pain in adults and toothache medications and over the counter toothache remedies may offer some relief. Unfortunately most toothache home remedies for wisdom teeth that are available over the counter will only offer temporary relief. In most situations in fact you would need to visit a dentist and in some cases tooth extraction may be necessary as many individuals suffer great pain on account of the appearance of more teeth than there is space for.



Gumache remedies or sore gum remedies and toothache remedies for kids or children can be quite useful for some quick relief as it isn’t always possible to rush to a dentist immediately. Keep in mind that home remedies for toothaches in children are not an alternative to dental care. Whether you are using home remedies for a tooth abscess, home remedies for swollen gums, home remedies for cavities, or home remedies for a wisdom tooth, none of them will offer a permanent cure. Home remedies for toothache swelling or gum infections simply treat the symptoms, to reduce discomfort and pain. Most of us hate having to make dentistry appointments because of the high costs of dental care and the discomfort of most dental treatments. This is unfortunately unavoidable and delaying treatment with ineffective remedies or simply neglecting it can only cause the problem to increase drastically making the necessary dental treatments even more expensive and invasive. Neglecting dental care poses a lot more serious problems as at t times dental plaque can also enter the bloodstream causing heart blockages, increasing your risk of a heart attack.

Symptoms of Toothache

Toothache symptoms

A toothache may be sharp, throbbing, shooting, or constant. If the tooth is not properly treated, it will eventually have to be extracted. Toothaches in general cause a lot of pain, but this may vary in severity and also in the type of pain. In most cases hot or cold stimuli produce severe pain and inflammation. The pain from a toothache may radiate, extending to the cheek, ears and jaws. Because of the various possible causes of toothaches the symptoms that you observe may also vary slightly. Some of the common toothache symptoms include increased pain, or pain with chewing, bleeding and discharge from the gums or around a tooth, inflammation or swelling of the gums or jaws, increased sensitivity to heat and cold, and redness around the gum line of a tooth.



The symptoms of a toothache are not always easy to tell apart from other mundane health conditions like sinusitis and ear and throat infections, as these conditions also cause pain in the facial area.

Causes of Toothache

Toothache Symptoms, Causes, Remedy and Diet

Tooth Decay, Consumption of Soft Drinks, Refined Carbohydrates and Sugar

The main cause of toothache is tooth decay, which results from a faulty diet. Perhaps the greatest cause of tooth decay is the consumption of candy, soft drinks, pastries, refined carbohydrates and sugar in all forms. Bacteria in the mouth breaks sugar down into acids, which combine with the calcium in the enamel to cause decay or erosion.



The key to effective toothache treatment is through an accurate and prompt diagnosis. There are various possible causes of toothaches and it would be careless to neglect the condition or attempt a self diagnosis. In some cases the cause may be obvious, but a visit to the dentist would be necessary. An oral examination will help pinpoint and verify the source of the toothache and could include the use of dental X-rays. At times a toothache may actually have a cause that does not originate from the teeth or jaws. At times a toothache and pain around the jaws may actually be indicative of heart diseases like angina or even a heart attack. Inner or external ear infections and sinus problems can also be responsible for such toothaches.



Under normal circumstances where the toothache causes actually stem from dental problems the main source of the pain is actually from inflammation of the tooth pulp, which is basically the central portion of the tooth. This region contains nerve endings, which is why there is a greater sensitivity to pain. This painful condition may be brought on by the presence of a gum or tooth infection, dental cavities, dental abscesses, tooth rot, cracked tooth syndrome or from trauma.



Treatment for any tooth pain will quite naturally depend on the cause of the pain and could involve a root canal, tooth extraction, the fitting of braces or dentures or filing or capping of teeth. Toothaches may at times be caused due to dental procedures themselves, such as a toothache after filling, and will usually pass but should always be reported to the dentist.

Home Remedies for Toothache

Toothache home remedies and natural cures, Questions and answers

Remedies for Tooth Ache Using Garlic

Among the most effective home remedies for toothache is garlic. A clove of garlic with a little rock salt should be placed on the affected tooth. It will relieve the pain and, sometimes, may even cure it. A clove should also be chewed daily in the morning. It will cure the teeth making them strong and healthy.



Garlic does in fact hold a prominent place in traditional medicine and was even recommended by the great Hippocrates. It is included in most toothache home remedies and is very valuable because of it is inexpensive, easily accessible and offers effective toothache pain relief. Almost all traditional methods of toothache treatment with garlic involve crushing it, and applying or placing it against the affected tooth. Garlic may also very often be used with some other popular ingredients for toothache remedies like cloves or clove oil.



Although there is a lot of skepticism with good cause about the effectiveness of some home remedies it should be pointed out that the effectiveness of garlic is not inexplicable. Garlic contains a powerful compound called allicin, which exercises a powerful antibiotic effect. This compound is released upon crushing the garlic and it is believed that this could help slow down any bacterial activity. It should be stressed that this is not a cure however as garlic alone will not be able to halt or reverse dental decay or prevent further deterioration. In fact, all toothache remedies are meant to provide relief and are only temporary solutions that can not substitute medical treatment. Exercise caution when using garlic as it is quite strong and cause skin irritation.

Toothache Relief Using Onion

Latest research has confirmed the bactericidal properties of onion. If a person consumes one raw onion every day by thorough mastication, he will be protected from a host of tooth disorders. Chewing raw onion for three minutes is sufficient to kill all the germs in the mouth. Toothache is often allayed by placing a small piece of onion on the bad tooth or gum.



Onions are popular as traditional toothache relief treatment and you can simply place a slice over the affected area. Onions are high in sodium, rich in vitamins E and B12, and are low in fat or calories. Including onions in your daily diet and simply chewing on a few slices can help prevent and control toothaches.

Remedies for Tooth Ache Using Lime

Lime, as a rich source of vitamin C, is useful in maintaining the health of the teeth and other bones of the body. It prevents decay and loosening of the teeth, dental caries, toothache, and bleeding of the gums.



Eating a raw lime, along with the peel, can offer some much needed toothache relief. The effectiveness of lime for toothaches can probably be best explained by its rich composition of vitamin C and the lower levels of acidity as compared to lemons.

Toothache Cure Using Wheat Grass

The juice of wheat grass acts as an excellent mouthwash for tooth decay and cures toothaches. Wheat grass can be chewed with beneficial results. It draws out toxins from the gums and thus checks bacterial growth.



Wheatgrass does contain properties of a natural antibiotic, which can help offer some protection against bacterial infections of the gums and teeth.

Toothache Cure Using Asafoetida

The use of asafoetida has been found useful in curing toothache. It should be pestled in lemon Juice and slightly heated. A cotton swab should be soaked in this lotion and placed in the cavity of the tooth. It will relieve pain quickly.



Asafoetida has been widely used in traditional medicine since ancient times, particularly in the Indian sub-continent. You can fry some asafetida lightly in clarified butter to prepare it as a solution.

Toothache Relief Using Bay Berry

A paste of the bark of bay berry should be made with vinegar. This paste, applied on the affected tooth, will relieve the toothache. It can also be applied beneficially on the gums for strengthening them.



Cloves have been used to treat toothaches since ancient times and are included as an essential ingredient in almost all toothache remedies. Cloves are in fact included as an ingredient in almost all toothpastes and are therefore still the most widely used ingredient in dental care. The effectiveness of cloves can be attributed to a compound called eugenol, which is present in cloves. Eugenol is a powerful anesthetic that also possesses antiseptic properties. This means that it not only offers toothache pain relief, but it also helps fight off germs that could contribute to an infection.

Toothache Home Remedy Using Clove

Another home remedy for toothache is in the use of clove, which reduces pain. It also helps decrease infection due to its antiseptic properties. Clove oil, applied to a cavity in a decayed tooth, also relieves toothache.

Remedies for Toothache Using Pepper

A mixture of a pinch of pepper powder and a quarter teaspoon of common salt is an excellent dentrifice. Its daily use prevents dental cavities, foul breath, bleeding from the gums, painful gums, and toothaches. It cures the increased sensitiveness of the teeth. A pinch of pepper powder mixed with clove oil can be put on the cavities to alleviate the toothache.

Remedy for Toothache

Home remedies for severe toothaches work just like any other toothache medication or over the counter toothache medicines. Toothache remedies with salt water are quite a popular as home treatment for toothaches during pregnancy. Home remedies for toothache infections with oregano oil, garlic, clove oil, tea bags, and olive oil are also quite popular while pregnant.

Toothache Relief diet

Toothache : Home Remedies suggested by users

Proper Diet

Diet plays a vital role in dental health. The condition of the teeth after they are formed depends upon the foods one eats from day to day. Dental decay, the destruction of the bone around the teeth, and infection of the gums can be prevented with an appropriate diet. In fact, with a proper diet, the teeth and jaw bones can be made harder and healthier as the years go by.

Restrict Sugar Intake, Include Raw Vegetables in Diet

It is important to restrict one's sugar intake, and to ensure that the diet includes plenty of raw vegetables and wholewheat bread. Whole foods are ideal for the teeth. Fibreless refined foods allow particles to accumulate on the teeth in a sticky mass where they can do great harm. The gums need friction to keep them firm and whole foods also help remove plaque. They are therefore called 'detergent foods' by some dentists. In preventing tooth decay, what one eats is no doubt important but equally important is when one eats.



Increasing your intake of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables is important not just for the increased fiber content. These foods are rich sources of vitamin C, and can therefore help strengthen and make your teeth and gums less susceptible to dental decay and erosion. Calcium is probably the most important mineral in this regard and can be obtained from dairy products and also from canned fish like mackerels and sardines.

Avoid Frequent Small Snacks and Sugar Intake

Frequent small snacks are very harmful to teeth, as they produce an acid medium in which the bacteria thrive. The number of times one eats sugar is one of the most important factors in determining the rate of decay. For this reason, it is better to eat sweets at the end of a meal rather than between meals.

Other Toothache cure

Other Toothache Treatment

Proper cleaning of the teeth is very essential to prevent tooth decay and consequent toothache. There are many theories on how best to clean the teeth. The consensus of dental opinion however seems to back using a circular motion with the brush, so as to ensure that all dental surfaces are cleaned. One should not be afraid to touch the gums with the brush, as this gentle stimulation improves the blood circulation in the gums.

More information

Also check out more information on Toothache relief and Toothache Remedies.