How To Ease Root Canal Pain: 17 Natural Ways

Suffering from a root canal pain can be quite miserable. Root canal refers to the innermost part of the tooth where the living tissue and nerves are present. When this living tissue is infected due to a decay, root fracture or abscess, then it leads to throbbing pain. Swollen gums, redness, and sensitivity to cold or hot drinks are few symptoms the root canal pain.

Whenever you have tooth pain, it is better to consult the doctor. Meanwhile, you can try home remedies to control the pain and other symptoms caused by the infected root canal.

How to Get Rid of Root Canal Pain at Home?

Here are the most effective home remedies to treat root canal pain. These remedies can either be used together or stand-alone treatments for dealing with the pain.

1. Ice Pack

Ice is one of the best ways to soothe the inflamed gums and root canal pain. The radiating effect of ice penetrates deep into the bone level and calms the pressure and inflamed nerves. This is also a great home remedy for teething pain.

• Wrap few ice cubes in a plastic bag or cloth.
• Gently apply the compress on the affected tooth.
• Leave it for few minutes and remove it.
• Repeat several times a day to get relief the root canal pain.

Note: Avoid direct application of ice as it can cause frostbite. Avoid leaving the ice pack on the tooth for more than 20 minutes at a time.

2. Salt Water

Though it looks like a very simple process but it is very effective in treating the root canal pain.

• Add 1 tablespoon of salt into a glass of water and stir it well.
• Take a sip of the solution and hold it in your mouth (especially on the infected area) for a minute.
• Spit it out and repeat the process again.
• Continue the same for few minutes.
• Follow the process several times in a day for effective results.

3. Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree oil is one of the effective ways in providing relief from pain caused by root canal or any other tooth problems. Tea tree oil works for receding gums too!

• Add 3 – 4 drops of tea tree oil in warm water.
• Using this mixture gargle and spit it out.
• Repeat the process 3 – 4 times in a day.

4. Onion

Though it sounds weird, this particular method has proven results in treating pain caused by a root canal.

• Cut an onion into slices.
• Place an onion slice in the mouth.
• Suck the juice coming from it.
• Remove the onion after few minutes.
• Repeat the process few times in a day.

Note: Use only freshly cut onions for the process to get maximum benefits.

5. Garlic

The antibacterial properties of garlic help in dealing with bacteria causing the infection and stops its further growth. It is a very good antibiotic to provide relief from the pain.

• Peel and crush a garlic clove.
• Keep it on the affected tooth.
• Leave it on for few minutes.
• Spit out the garlic and rinse with water.
• Repeat the process regularly.

Note: You can also chew the garlic clove directly with the infected tooth.

6. Clove

When it comes to tooth problems, clove is the most effective and safe methods to deal with it. Here are different ways of cloves for treating root canal pain.

• Take a drop of clove oil and massage it on the infected tooth.
• Blend a clove with water to make a paste. Apply it on the affected tooth. Rinse it off after few minutes.
• Place a clove on the infected tooth and suck it for some time.
• Repeat any process regularly to get relief from the pain.

Note: Keeping cloves in the mouth for a longer period of time can cause harm to tooth and gums. So, avoid leaving it for no longer than 5 – 10 minutes.

7. Vinegar

For this process, either normal household white vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used. The acidic properties of vinegar balance the pH levels which creates an unfavorable environment for bacteria to thrive.

• Dip a cotton ball in enough amounts of vinegar.
• Place it on the infected tooth.
• Leave it on for 15 minutes and remove it.
• Repeat the process regularly.

8. Cucumber

The pain relieving and cooling properties of cucumber are helpful in dealing with root canal pain. You can achieve a quick relief from root canal pain with cucumbers.

• Take a cucumber slice and place it on the affected tooth.
• Leave it on for as long as possible and remove it.
• Repeat the process regularly to achieve best results.

9. Baking Soda

The antibacterial properties of baking soda deal with infection causing the pain. Apart from that, it balances the pH levels of the mouth.

• Add a little amount of baking soda into a cup of water.
• Use this solution to swish your mouth.
• Repeat this process regularly.

Alternative: You can dip a cotton ball in the solution and place it on the infected tooth.

10. Pepper and Salt

The combination of pepper and salt possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which help to provide relief from root canal pain no time.

• Grind pepper into powder.
• Combine pepper powder, salt, and water to make a paste.
• Apply the paste on the affected tooth.
• Leave it on for few minutes and rinse with water.
• Repeat the process 2 times in a day to get relief.

11. Olive Oil

Olive is considered one of the safe and effective ways to treat root canal pain. It soothes the inflamed nerves to get relief.

• Dip a cotton ball in olive oil.
• Place it on the affected tooth.
• Leave it on for few minutes and remove it.
• Repeat the process several times in a day.

12. Alcohol

Using alcohol beverages like beer, scotch or whiskey is one of the effective ways to treat a root canal pain.

• Sip a small amount of any alcohol beverage.
• Gargle for a minute and spit out.
• Repeat the process several times in a day to get relief.

13. Asafetida

When it comes to dental problems, asafetida is one of the safe ways to deal with. It also helps to reduce the pain caused by root canal infection.

• Combine a pinch of asafetida and few drops of lemon juice.
• Warm up the mixture and dip a cotton pad in it.
• Place the soaked cotton ball on the affected tooth.
• Leave it on for few minutes and remove it.
• Repeat the process 2 times in a day to get relief.

14. Plantain Leaves

Plantain leaves contain demulcent, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties which help to provide relief from the root canal pain.

• Bend few plantain leaves with water to make a paste.
• Apply the paste on the affected tooth.
• Leave it on for 10 – 15 minutes and rinse off with water.
• Repeat the process regularly.

15. Tea Bags

Instead of tossing out the tea bags, it can be used as a warm compress to treat root canal pain. The astringent properties of tea leaves help to reduce the swelling and make the area numb for few minutes.

• Brew some tea using tea tags.
• Wring out the excess and place it on the affected tooth.
• Remove the tea bag after some time.
• Repeat the process regularly.

16. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide contains natural disinfectant properties which kill the bacteria causing infection. It also provides relief from pain and inflammation.

• Combine 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon of warm water.
• Using this solution swish your mouth and spit it out.
• Repeat the process regularly until you notice the results.
• Alternatively, you can dip a cotton ball in the solution and apply it on the affected area. Remove the cotton ball after few minutes and rinse with water.

Note: If the solution tastes too bitter, then you can add more amounts of water.

17. Potato

Potato is one of the effective ways in reducing the pain, swelling and other discomforts caused by root canal infection.

• Cut a potato into slices.
• Place a slice on the affected area.
• Leave it on for 15 minutes.
• Remove the potato slice and rinse with water.
• Repeat the process regularly.

Tips and Precautions:

• Maintain proper hygiene to treat and prevent tooth infections.
• Avoid eating too many sweets or sugary items to prevent tooth decay.
• Rinse your mouth after each meal to remove the food particles stuck in between the teeth.
• Avoid eating spicy food as it can increase a toothache. It is better to eat less spicy food.
• Drinking raw milk and food rich in protein helps in curing the infection early.
• While sleeping, elevating the pillow also helps to ease the pain as it provides elevation to blood flow in a particular direction.
• Applying extracts of any ingredient like almond, peppermint, vanilla or lemon also helps to ease the root canal pain.
• Eating yellow butter especially raw butter also helps to reduce the pain and swelling.
• When your tooth is paining, chewing solid food can increase the pain. So, it is better to go on a liquid diet. You can take juices, milk or even porridge.
• Avoid taking too cold or hot beverages until you treat the root canal pain completely.
• Seek medical help if your tooth is discolored or fractured.
• It is recommended to have a dental check once in 3 – 6 months to eradicate tooth decays or other dental problems in early stages.

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