Home Remedy for Toothache from Alternative Medicine Practitioner

Over the years I have discovered a number of herbs and other natural substances that can be very helpful with managing tooth pain. Keep in mind that the advice that follows is for what we call in the trade "self-limited" conditions. In other words, these remedies can help manage pain and inflammation in conditions short of those needing professional medical attention. Any dental condition that involves high fever, extreme pain, seems to be worsening rapidly or doesn't improve in one week should not be treated with a home remedy for toothache. Of particular concern is pain that worsens at night or sensitivity to heat. This indicates an abscess may be forming. Since few conditions are as painful as a dental abscess, these are best nipped in the bud.

For milder conditions, a combination of the following items used on a regular basis can be very helpful as part of a home remedy for toothache. First, a calendula toothpaste such as Weleda brand seems to be very preventive in nature. Calendula has a long history of being used for the gums and teeth. Myrrh toothpastes are another option. Both of these herbs have astringent and antibacterial effects. A few drops of tea tree oil extract can be infused in water or put into a water pik. Cleansing the mouth with this solution can give rapid relief to inflamed gums. It is a very potent antibacterial. Thursday Plantation brand is very high quality.

Echinacea, the well known immune stimulant used for colds and flus actually has a very long history of use for pain and abscess. I have found it quite reliable as a home remedy for toothache due to its various traditionally observed actions. The most effective form seems to be a standardized extract in capsules from Nature's Plus or equivalent. Symptoms should lessen after a day at 1-2 capsules up to four times per day. But it is safe to take the dose for up to a week. Goldenseal, frequently combined with echinacea in cold formulas is also useful as a home remedy for toothache due to its antibacterial properties. Nature's Plus or Eclectic Institute are commonly available brands. Two capsules up to 4 times per day should be adequate.

Finally, willow bark can be useful for pain management. Nature's Plus makes a good standardized extract in both liquid and capsules. Take 2 capsules up to four times per day. As many people know, willow bark is a source of salicylic acid, the molecular basis upon which aspirin is created. It has mild anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. However unlike aspirin, willow bark has minimal effect on blood circulation. While this may seem to be a moot point when looking for a home remedy for toothache, Chinese medicine may have another perspective.

In Chinese medicine, acute pain and the tendency to develop painful conditions are both attributed to something called blood stagnation. Blood stagnation is treated with "blood moving" herbs. In fact, all herbs that treat sharp pain in Chinese medicine are said to move blood. According to medical theory, moving the blood does not just relieve the symptoms of pain, but can sometimes cure the problem altogether (if it is self-limited). While a number of chinese herbs could be used for this purpose, none is commonly available to the layperson. However aspirin is essentially a blood moving substance according to Chinese medicine and seems to work as well for a number of acute problems. If one is not hypersensitive to it, the best home remedy for toothache may still be, "take two aspirin and call me in the morning."

Todd Luger, Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist, has 14 years of clinical experience in Chinese Medicine, focused on chronic pain and illness, has been a professor of Herbology and Clinical Medicine at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine since 2000, and is director of the Chinese Herb Academy. You can read more of his articles on PulseMed.org, at the Chinese Herb Academy, or on his Health Weblog.