A variety of problems can cause mouth pain, but they're not all dangerous. Cavities, gum inflammation or mouth ulcers all cause similar sensations that niggle at us. The pain is often worse at nighttime because lying down increases blood pressure to your head, so elevate your head higher to alleviate the throbbing.
Advanced tooth infections, however, can be very dangerous. The bacteria can spread into your gums, jaw, tongue, throat -- and even into your blood stream. That's why it's important to know the symptoms of a tooth infection, identify it early and make an informed decision about your course of action. No matter what you decide to do, immediate treatment is vital. You do, however, have the choice between going to the dentist and treating it naturally, so we'll first explain how to identify a tooth infection and then give you six natural treatment options.
Advertisement
Symptoms of tooth infection
- Redness of the mouth, face or gums
- Inflammation of the gums
- Pain, including when you chew or swallow
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully
- Pus drainage
- Bad breath
- Greater mouth sensitivity to hot and cold
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Fever or chills
- Redness of the mouth, face or gums
- Inflammation of the gums
- Pain, including when you chew or swallow
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully
- Pus drainage
- Bad breath
- Greater mouth sensitivity to hot and cold
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Fever or chills
Six natural remedies for tooth infection
1) Black tea. This is a common one; black tea is packed full of antioxidants so it's the ideal ingredient for absorbing toxins and pus, according to Daily Health Post. Simply soak the tea bag in warm water and apply to the sore tooth, keeping it in your mouth for as long as you can. It's important to rinse afterward with salt water to remove the bacteria you've dislodged. Use tea that contains echinacea, which is both an antibiotic and antihistamine. It supports your immune system to kick the infection and reduce inflammation. The same goes for chamomile tea. Chamomile reduces gum swelling and bleeding and is effective at killing streptococcus bacteria strains.
1) Black tea. This is a common one; black tea is packed full of antioxidants so it's the ideal ingredient for absorbing toxins and pus, according to Daily Health Post. Simply soak the tea bag in warm water and apply to the sore tooth, keeping it in your mouth for as long as you can. It's important to rinse afterward with salt water to remove the bacteria you've dislodged. Use tea that contains echinacea, which is both an antibiotic and antihistamine. It supports your immune system to kick the infection and reduce inflammation. The same goes for chamomile tea. Chamomile reduces gum swelling and bleeding and is effective at killing streptococcus bacteria strains.
2) Salt water. Salt water is an effective mouthwash all on its own, according to WebMD. It is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, and it can kill the bacteria causing the infection. Mix half a teaspoon of salt into 6 ounces of warm water until it has dissolved, then use as a mouthwash. Directly swish it around the affected tooth. Make sure you spit it out when you're done. You can also try flossing gently around the affected tooth, as sometimes food gets stuck in abscesses.
3) Oregano oil. According to Bare Natural Health, this oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties that make it ideal for clearing infections. It kills the bacteria in the pus while numbing the localized area for pain relief. Apply oregano oil directly to the tooth on a cotton swab, or mix five drops of the oil into 1/4 cup of warm water and use as a mouthwash. Keep the oil in your mouth for at least five minutes, and use multiple times a day while the infection is active.
4) Garlic. Although more research is required, studies have shown that garlic oil can treat diseased teeth in children. WebMD explains that when you crush garlic you release allicin, an oily liquid and natural disease fighter. The garlic must be raw, so chew on a clove or place pre-crushed pieces onto your tooth. Apart from your breath, there's no risk. Garlic is a totally safe superfood.
5) Oil pulling. No doubt you've heard of this one. Used for millennia in Ayurvedic medicine, this practice is just taking off in the Western world. Twice a day, take two teaspoons of virgin coconut oil and swish it around your mouth for 10 to 20 minutes. The auric acid in coconut oil is antibacterial, and this method has been shown to reduce dental plaque and treat gingivitis. Spit the oil out when you've finished.
6) Hydrogen peroxide. WebMD explains that hydrogen peroxide is a powerful and proven germ fighter. Dilute it with water or it can harm your teeth and gums, rinse your mouth vigorously for a couple of minutes then spit it out. Daily Health Post recommends using it in combination with baking soda, which has been shown to increase alkalinity in the mouth -- bacteria hate it! You can also make a paste of these two ingredients and apply it directly to the tooth, leaving it on for several minutes and then rinsing thoroughly afterwards.
Advertisement
It's important to understand the symptoms of tooth infection and identify it early so that you have time to try some natural remedies at home. However, if you have caught the infection too late or if it has continued to worsen, WebMD warns that there are particular symptoms for which you should seek immediate medical attention. This includes if the pain is so bad you cannot manage it at home, if you develop vomiting, diarrhea, fever or chills, and if you have any trouble breathing. Catch it early, however, and stop your infection from progressing the natural way.