When you're suffering from a toothache, it's hard to imagine anything more painful. And the discomfort can be more than just a pain in the mouth; at its most severe, it prevents you from concentrating on work, enjoying play, and indulging in sleep. Here are some tips for instant (if temporary) toothache relief.
Instructions
Killing the Pain
1. Think of the pain in your mouth as Count Dracula. What is the best deterrent? (No, not wooden stakes.) Garlic will provide immediate relief when placed directly on the source. Crush a clove, mix it with a little peanut butter to form a paste and place on the trouble spot. Five minutes later, you should be a happy camper. How does it work? When you slice a clove of garlic, allicin is released. Allicin is powerful stuff---an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal,and anti-viral weapon. Be careful, though: Raw garlic can be harsh. If it starts to burn even a little, try one of the other suggestions below, or mix in more peanut butter.
2. Pour on the sauce. As Gramps would say, "Nothing like a little whiskey to cure what ails you." That is if your grandfather is a turn of the century gold prospector. Soak a cotton ball with whiskey, and apply directly to the source of the pain. Hold it there until the whiskey is completely absorbed. If you don't have whiskey on hand, bourbon or brandy can work in a pinch. The alcohol will clean the tooth and gums, kill the bacteria and relieve the pain. Failing that, it might succeed in making you feel a little less tense.
3. Get spicy! Oregano has a reputation the world over for soothing mouth pain. There are a few ways to use it: Grab a bottle from your spice rack and shake some flakes into your mouth or chew some oregano leaves. Alternatively, you can make an oregano tea. Take the spices or leaves, add to a cup of water, microwave for a couple of minutes or until desired temperature and drink away the pain. Bonus: Oregano is also known as an effective tooth cleaner!
4. Get back to the root. Root vegetables, that is. The trusty onion has been used for thousands of years to soothe toothaches, all the way back to the ancient Egyptians. Some swear that just biting into a raw onion will cure the pain. If not, its pungent taste certainly will distract you. The key is to chew directly on the area that hurts. The juice of the onion will reduce pain and swelling.
5. Ice ice baby. Go for the good, old-fashioned frozen remedy. Dip some washcloths in water, and place them in the freezer for an hour. Once frozen, press them to the offending tooth. You can also use frozen broccoli or a frozen peach wedge. The cold will numb the area and relieve the pain at least temporarily.
Tags: directly source, onion will, peanut butter, relieve pain, your mouth