DadiKaKehna

Toothaches seem innocuous but they take the wind out of your sail when they strike. There are some instant home remedies to dull the pain till you get to a doctor, says Roshani Devi

A toothache can happen either due to cavity, infection, gum disease, loose filling or other problems in the mouth. But until you can see the dentist, here are some home remedies that can provide relief

• Clove: Put two drops of clove oil on a cotton ball and place it against the tooth itself until the pain recedes. Or take a pinch of powdered clove or a whole clove and place it on the tooth. Chew the whole clove a little to release its oil and keep it in place up to half an hour or until the pain subsides.
• Saltwater: A teaspoon of salt dissolved in a cup of boiling water makes a pain-killing mouthwash which will clean away irritating debris and help reduce swelling. Saltwater cleanses the area around the tooth and draws out some of the fluid that causes swelling.
• Peppermint tea has a nice flavour and some numbing power. Put one teaspoon dried peppermint leaves in one cup boiling water and steep for 20 minutes. After the tea cools, swish it around in your mouth, then spit it out or swallow.
• Ice cubes: Place a small ice cube in a plastic bag, wrap a thin cloth around the bag, and apply it to the aching tooth for about 15 minutes to numb the nerves. Alternatively, that ice pack can go on your cheek, over the painful tooth.