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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

Toothaches are pretty much any soreness in or around your teeth, or in the jaw. However, the majority of toothaches are because of tooth decay. This means that any home remedy for a toothache should be used as a short term measure only, until you can get to a dentist. There is no known technique to completely remove tooth decay other than conventional dental practice.

However, there are some toothaches, like the pain you feel when your wisdom teeth are coming in, or childhood tooth shedding, that are temporary and not to be worried about. It is also not always possible to visit your dentist right away. For these situations, there are a number of common options when you need a good home remedy for a toothache.

Natural Pain Reliever
Clove oil contains a natural pain reliever and an antibacterial substance called eugenol. Due to this, it is commonly used in oral surgeries like root canals, to prevent bacterial growth. It's also good for home use.

Simply mix two to three drops of the oil with a quarter teaspoon of olive oil, and soak a cotton ball with the mixture. Then simply place it inside your mouth, or bite gently down on the cotton ball. Do not sleep with it in your mouth though as you might choke. You can also chew whole cloves for some pain relief as well.

Activated charcoal, mixed with water to make a paste, and applied to gauze, can really help if you bite down gently on the gauze. You can get activated charcoal at many health food stores.

Kill Bacteria
Chewing a clove of garlic with a little bit of rock salt can help kill the bacteria which causes tooth decay, slowing down the action of the decay and giving you a little relief. You may also be able to use a small piece of onion as a home remedy for toothache by placing it against the bad tooth.

Cavity Pain
Pepper mixed with clove oil can help alleviate a toothache caused by cavities, as well as being an excellent substance to brush your teeth with when mixed with salt.

Bay berry bark can be powdered and mixed with vinegar. Then it can be applied to the gums for toothache relief.

Asafoetida, a strong smelling spice used in Indian cooking, has been traditionally used for toothache. Grind it in lemon juice and warm the mixture, then soak a cotton swab in it. Applied directly to the tooth or gum around the tooth, it can help to relieve the pain.

Remember, if you have a toothache you cannot explain, go to your dentist as soon as you possibly can. Dental cavities usually do not go away on their own. However, if you have to wait for a while before your appointment, a home remedy for toothache can make the waiting much more comfortable.