Pandemic dental care is a vital part of oral health hygiene. Staying at home during lockdown can’t make your life stagnant and static. Now, the biggest priority is health as the entire nation is fighting a health crisis COVID-19.

Dental problems may arise during the lockdown

As you can’t visit your dentist for a routine check-up, you need to take good dental care. In the history of a century, this is the first time when you are quarantined due to some contagious viral infection. And all of you are subjected to minimal physical activity.

Though you are in this situation, most of you are still having a normal life, working from home, exercising, eating, cooking, etc. In the midst of all these, you may neglect an important part of your body, the teeth.

Mostly, dental problems like toothache, swollen gums, minor irritation, discomfort, and sensitivity can be taken care of at home with some home remedies. There can be some serious dental problems like a cracked tooth, gum infection, cavities, abscess, etc. which need to be consulted to a specialist.

But before visiting the dentist for an emergency, try a few home remedies to attain some relief from the teeth pain.

 

7 natural HOME remedies for toothache

1. Salt-water for Toothache

The most common home remedy for toothache is salt-water rinse for almost all dental problems. It is a natural disinfectant that works wonders for tooth sensitivity. It helps in maintaining the pH balance of the mouth so that an alkaline environment is created inside. In this state, harmful bacteria cannot survive for long.

It also helps in removing the food particles that get stuck in your teeth while eating. This natural antiseptic gives instant relief to tooth pain and reduces inflammation.

You need to make a concoction using 1 teaspoon of salt mixed with a cup of boiling water. All you need to do is to take a sip of it and swish it in your mouth for a few seconds. After rinsing with a salt solution, throw it in the washbasin.

 

2. Garlic for Toothache

Garlic is considered a superfood with plenty of medicinal properties including antibacterial and anesthetic properties. It is quite effective and beneficial for oral health including gum pain and toothache. It contains allicin that can kill bacteria responsible for tooth plaque.

You need to crush a clove of garlic and apply the paste on the affected tooth or painful gum for some time. You can also chew a garlic clove for instant relief.

 

3. Clove or clove oil for Toothache

Sometimes, toothaches are such nagging pain that you can’t concentrate on anything else. When you think of essential oils, clove oil is best with its germicidal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. It is ideal for oral infections, numb pain in the tooth, and gum problems when using it in limited quantity.

The supreme way to use clove oil is when you combine it with coconut oil or almond oil. Then, apply two to three drops of it on the affected tooth and massage it on the gums. Rinse your mouth with warm water so that it gets washed off.

 

4. Herbal tea for Toothache

Herbal teas are popular for their wonderful and multiple health benefits. Some teas contain tannins that can decrease gum pain caused due to bacterial infection.

Peppermint tea, hibiscus tea, green tea, and black tea are packed with tannins that can provide you the necessary numbing effect on the affected tooth.

You can prepare peppermint tea by boiling peppermint leaves in water for 20 minutes. You can swish it around in your mouth and then throw it or swallow it.

Another magnificent way is to dip the herbal tea bag in boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove the bag from the water and let it cool for some time. Then, directly place the warm tea bag on the affected area.

 

5. Cold compress for Toothache

When you are experiencing toothache accompanied by swollen gums, it is recommended to use an ice pack. Ice has the quality of numbing the nerves connected to the affected tooth. The cold compress allows a cooling effect on the nerve-endings and helps in reducing inflammation.

Take some ice-cubes in a plastic bag and wrap it with a cloth. Place it against the cheek which is directly over the irritated tooth.

 

6. Ginger for Toothache

Ginger is a fantastic toothache remedy hiding in your kitchen. It is packed with anti-bacterial elements that can soothe you from painful scenarios.

Place a half-inch sized ginger slice on the affected tooth and bite it down. Let the ginger juice swirl around the area and get absorbed in the root. You can also crush fresh ginger to make a paste and apply it to the gums.

 

7. Guava leaves for Toothache

Guava leaves contain flavonoids like kaempferol, quercetin, and rutin which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. It provides great relief from tooth sensitivity and pain.

One way is to chew one or two guava leaves and throw it away. Another way is to boil four or five leaves in water and use it as a mouthwash.

 

How to maintain good oral hygiene?

• Brushing your teeth thoroughly

  Spend some quality time in brushing thoroughly. Take two to three minutes to brush your teeth in a circular motion. Be gentle in brushing to avoid any damage to your gums.

•  Brush two times daily

  Plaque is responsible for tooth decay and gum problems. It gets deposited in every 12 hours. So ideally, brush your teeth twice daily would prevent dental problems.

• Floss it daily

  Flossing is crucial to clean in-between your teeth. It prevents Gingivitis and cavities that may arise in between your teeth.

• Fluoride toothpaste

  When you are using fluoride toothpaste, it gets absorbed in the enamel. Thus helping in teeth repair by providing the necessary calcium and phosphorous to make your teeth strong.

• Avoid sugary drinks and acidic foods

  When you are eating sugary food or drinking sugary drinks, you are inviting the bacteria to cause tooth decay. Constant snacking sticky or acidic food over a period can expose your teeth to various acids causing cavities.

• Drink plenty of water

  Drink lots of water to keep your mouth clean and prevent tooth decay. Water helps your mouth to wash off the residual food particles. It also dilutes the acids in the mouth that are produced by the bacteria.

To avoid potential dental emergencies, you can take a little bit of oral care. During the COVID-19 lockdown, health hygiene can be achieved at home with good nutrition and proper care.