How to soothe a toothache naturally?
What is a toothache?
This colloquial term clearly evokes the violence of this dental pain.
Toothache is not preventable! Toothache is a brutal pain in the tooth that is so intense that it is very difficult to bear. It is mainly due to an overpressure inside the tooth and an inflammation pulpaire . Clove oil can calm the pain, but a visit to the dentist should be made as a matter of urgency.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms are a stabbing pain*, which may be accompanied by a throbbing pain*, in one of your teeth or in your gums, after contact with cold, hot or sweet food . The pain can also radiate* into the jaw, sinuses or inside the ear. Depending on the individual, the pain may be transient or continuous, and may cause a fever.
Stabbing: a pain felt as a sharp twinge
Throbbing: rhythmic pain that beats like the pulse.
Radiating: pain that radiates from a point of higher intensity
What causes the onset of pain?
Toothache is often the result of a deep cavity that has reached the dental nerve. But toothache can also be caused by an abscess in the gum or any other bacterial infection (gingivitis, periodontitis...).
In addition to infections, an inflammation of the dental pulp, called pulpitis, can also cause acute pain.
Caries
Caries is a destruction of the enamel caused by bacteria, whose acidic excretions dissolve the calcium of which the tooth is made. It becomes painful when the dissolution goes beyond the dentine and reaches the pulp.
Pulpitis
Pulpitis is an inflammation of the pulp, the central part of the tooth just below the dentin. It is usually the result of untreated tooth decay. The pulp is highly innervated, so when decay reaches its tissues, the pain is intense, commonly referred to as toothache.
Dental abscess
A dental abscess is caused by a bacterial infection that results in a build-up of pus on the tooth or gum.
What are the risk factors?
There is no age for this severe pain, unfortunately even a child can suffer from it. Infections and inflammations do not make a difference between a baby tooth and a permanent tooth.
The people most affected are:
- Those at high risk of caries* and not followed up.
- Those with poor oral hygiene ;
- Those who drink alcohol regularly;
- Those who frequently consume sweet products;
- Those who smoke tobacco;
- Those who are often stressed;
- Those who have undergone a change in eating habits.
- Pregnant women because of hormones, estrogen levels, morning sickness, or acid reflux...
* Caries risk is considered high when risk situations are identified during the examination: accumulation of bacterial plaque, high proportion of cariogenic bacteria, high sugar diet, frequent snacking, reduced salivary flow, reduced salivary buffering capacity, absence of fluoride intakes.
How long does a toothache last?
Dental pain continues until treatment by a health professional takes effect. In other words, the longer you wait to seek help and make an appointment with your dentist, the longer the pain will remain. So it depends on how quickly you take the situation seriously.
How to soothe a toothache naturally?
It may take some time for the symptoms to subside, but enduring a dental crisis is never a good choice and can lead to complications and even the need to extract your tooth if the necrosis or infection is too severe. It is therefore essential to make an appointment with your dentist to determine the cause of the pain and treat it accordingly .
While waiting for your appointment, you can still ease the pain with our recipes.
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As a mouthwash
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Dilute 3 drops of clove oil in a little alcohol or a mother tincture *, and dilute again in water. 12 years old
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Massage
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Mix 2 drops of spike lavender essential oil with 2 drops of St. John's wort vegetable oil, and massage with your fingertip directly into the painful area and nearby gums. Repeat as many times as necessary. 12 years old |
Do not take an anti-inflammatory drug without seeing a dentist, as the pain may be caused by an infection or abscess. Taking an anti-inflammatory drug will mask and flare up the infection, which may make the situation worse.
What can be done to avoid toothache?
To avoid dental complications and the onset of toothache as much as possible, we advise you to have proper regular dental hygiene, i.e. brushing your teeth at least twice a day. Floss at least once a day, ideally after each meal combined with brushing, but most importantly at night before bedtime.
You can also reduce your sugar intake as it promotes acid secretion and bacteria growth. Try brushing your teeth after eating sugary products. If you cannot do this, chew gum. Choose a sugar-free gum that contains xylitol: a natural sugar that does not cause cavities.
Make regular appointments with your dentist, especially if you identify with any of the risk factors listed above.
Disclaimer: This article is intended as a guide only and is not a substitute for the advice of a physician, pharmacist or other health care professional.
For any therapeutic use, consult a doctor or a pharmacist. Refer carefully to the contraindications and precautions for use of each essential oil. In case of doubt, consult a health professional.
Source: Extracts from the books "Aromatherapia, tout sur les huiles essentielles" and "huiles essentielles, huiles végétales & hydrolats : Mes indispensables", by Isabelle Pacchioni, published by Aroma Thera
