Tooth pain does not wait and strike only during your dental clinic working hours. Several reasons, including gum disease, cavities, allergic reactions, or sports injuries, can cause immense tooth pain. In such situations, you would certainly like to take steps and reduce the discomfort temporarily until you meet your dentist for a check-up.
As a dental treatment expert, we wish to recommend the following eight oils that have proved effective for controlling toothaches.
- Frankincense oil
Also referred to as olibanum, frankincense essential oil is extracted from Boswellia tree resin.
What differentiates frankincense oil is the ability to relax strained muscles in the mouth. The oil hinders the action of the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme and reduces inflammation.
When used in combination with myrrh essential oil, it can help in reducing pain, offering relief from toothache. As per studies, frankincense oil has antibacterial properties that make it perfect for fighting gum disease and cavities.
Patients might experience allergic reactions, including rashes if they use raw, undiluted frankincense oil. Thus, it’s best to mix it with chamomile oil or tea tree oil. Use the mixture as a hot compress.
- Cinnamon oil
Cinnamon oil has antimicrobial properties. So, besides preventing tooth decay, it can also help in treating gingivitis. Menthol present in this oil makes it a good mouth freshener.
Steam distillation procedure is used for extracting cinnamon oil from cinnamon inner bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum).
Add three drops of cinnamon oil to a glass of water and rinse your mouth. It’s a perfect mouth freshener.
Pregnant women are advised not to use cinnamon oil. It is crucial to note that overuse can cause convulsion.
- Clove oil
Clove oil helps in easing discomfort with a numbing effect. It is known for its analgesic and antiseptic properties. Most importantly, it helps in controlling dental erosion.
The compound called eugenol present in the oil helps in relieving toothache.
You can mix coconut oil with clove oil and apply it to the affected tooth or gums for quick relief. Several procedures are used for extracting clove oil from the clove plant dried bud.
The main compound, eugenol, is a blood thinner. Thus, you should avoid applying it on the tooth extraction site as it can interfere with the blood clotting process.
- Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil has a fragrance that’s quite refreshing and rejuvenating.
Well known for its relieving properties, peppermint oil helps in reducing inflammation. The oil’s antibacterial property helps control tooth decay. The presence of menthol plays a crucial role in pain-relieving.
Add eight drops of peppermint oil in a glass of water and swish the mixture in your mouth for 30 seconds to five minutes. Spit the mixture out without swallowing a single drop.
What are the side effects? Well, too much use or a high dose can result in mouth ulcers or burning mouth syndrome.
Steam distillation helps in extracting peppermint oil from the Mentha piperita plant.
- Chamomile oil
Chamomile oil has a calming effect on gums.
Chamomile, a superb medicinal herb, has been popular for several centuries. It is used as a botanical remedy for treating several medical conditions. As far as dentistry is concerned, Chamomile oil helps in controlling gingivitis.
No points for guessing, the oil is retrieved from the chamomile plant. Its herbaceous fragrance can refresh your mind and ensure your mouth remains super-healthy.
You can use it as a mouthwash. Just mix two drops of peppermint oil and three drops of chamomile oil in a cup of water.
Chamomile oil can result in nausea, drowsiness, and even vomiting if consumed in large quantities.
- Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is another entry in the list of oils that help in easing inflammation pain. It also reduces swelling due to its anti-inflammatory property.
Tea tree oil can prove helpful for patients with dental cavities and decay due to ant-septic properties.
The oil is extracted from Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) grown abundantly in Australia. You will undoubtedly love the oil’s camphoraceous fragrance.
Add around eight drops of tea tree oil to a glass of water. Then, mix it with eight drops of peppermint and clove oil. Swish it in your mouth without swallowing for a few seconds for the best results.
However, using it in more than the recommended quantity can result in irritation, swelling, and even instability. Avoid swallowing the oil.
- Eucalyptus oil
Dentists recommend the use of eucalyptus oil due to its ability to stimulate new gum tissue growth. It is also known as an anti-inflammatory germicide.
The oil helps in soothing receding gums. Eucalyptus is known for improving medical ailments naturally and healing wounds.
The steam distillation process helps in extracting this oil from Eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus globulus) leaves.
You can add two drops of eucalyptus oil to any ADA-approved toothpaste or mouthwash. Breath tastes fresher, and the mouth feels a lot cleaner due to eucalyptus oil.
Using undiluted oil can result in reactions on the skin. Ingesting this oil can result in serious health problems for the patient.
- Ginger oil
Ginger is a crucial element in the oral health regimen. It helps in reducing harmful bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities.
Ginger oil is extracted from Ginger plant roots using steam distillation. The presence of raffinose and gingerol compounds in ginger helps it reduce pain and inflammation temporarily.
Ginger supplementation is always a part of non-surgical periodontal therapy. Studies have already proved it is effective in improving the periodontal status and controlling inflammation. Overall, ginger is used for treating several medical conditions due to its health-promoting qualities.
Oral health experts suggest patients mix five drops of ginger oil with one tablespoon of coconut oil. Apply this mixture of two oils to the affected tooth. Let it remain there for ten minutes. Then, simply gargle with warm water.
Avoid high doses as the oil can trigger allergic reactions. You can chew boiled and peeled pieces of ginger. Opting for ginger tea can be a good idea.
The endnote:
These oils act as an essential ingredient in over-the-counter painkillers, skin products, lotions, and soaps.
Remember, these oils are not a substitute for dental treatment and examination. They can offer temporary pain relief until you wait for your dentist’s appointment.
You can always approach your dentist and seek natural remedies-based treatment for oral health issues.