The most common home remedy for a toothache is an over the counter pain reliever such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin). They are often effective in reducing dental pain. Some patients combine them and rotate taking a different OTC every two hours. However, taking two or three of the OTCs should only be done temporarily.

         An ancient home remedy for a toothache is Oil of Cloves. It reduces tooth pain when placed directly into the tooth decay. Apply the clove oil to the tooth by placing a small cotton ball soaked in the clove oil directly into the cavity. Many older dental offices smelled like oil of cloves because it used to be used extensively.

         Another home remedy for a toothache is placing ice or ice water on a tooth which reduces the inflammation and can possibly help with the pain. A herbal tea of 5 grams of fresh peppermint boiled in a cup of water with a dash of salt or biting and sucking on a teabag is sometimes helpful.

         If your home remedy for a toothache does not immediately reduce your pain or if the dental pain is caused by dead tooth or a dental abscess, visit a dentist immediately. Deadly super bacteria which are resistant to antibiotics have been occassionally appearing, so it is very important to manage dental infections early when they are easier to treat successfully. To consult with Dr. Jeffrey Stephen Smith or Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky, call 404-874-7428.