A toothache is generally a symptom of a greater problem, such as tooth decay. It's very important to see a dentist about tooth pain as soon as it becomes an issue. That said, there are several folk remedies for toothaches that can ease pain until your dental appointment. These old home remedies generally focus on numbing the area rather than curing the problem.
Cloves
Cloves and clove oil have antibacterial properties that can kill anything that may be further irritating the sore tooth and gums. They also have some serious numbing power, which can come in handy. If you have whole cloves, slip two or three in your mouth and suck on them until they're soft enough to bruise between your back molars. Then, shift them over to the aching tooth and hold them in place with your tongue for up to 30 minutes at a time. If you're using clove oil, simply swab the tooth with a cotton ball soaked in the oil.
Garlic
Garlic's strong antiseptic and numbing powers can help a toothache in rear teeth. Slice a clove in half and place it in the center cavity of the tooth, biting down to hold it in place. You can also apply garlic to more narrow teeth by mashing two peeled cloves with a pinch of salt and spreading the compound on the surface of the tooth.
Salt and Alum
A mixture of salt and alum might provide immediate pain relief for throbbing toothaches. Mix 1/2 tsp. of salt with 1/2 tsp. of alum powder. Pack the mixture in and around your tooth, repeating every three to four hours for best results. Alum powder is available at most drugstores and health food stores.
Vanilla
The alcohol content in vanilla extract, mixed with the actual antibiotic properties of the beans, makes for a potent numbing solution that won't harm gums or teeth. Use a cotton swab to dab several drops of real vanilla extract on and around the tooth. Do not use imitation vanilla extract or alcohol-free vanilla extract, as neither of them will do the trick.
