by Aaron Nelson

Created on: August 05, 2011   Last Updated: August 11, 2011

Tooth pain can be excruciating.  When it becomes bad enough it can cause your face to swell, your jaw and throat to ache, and even your ear.   Regardless of how it happens, there will come a time in your life when you will experience tooth and jaw pain that is indicative of a cavity or abscessed tooth.  Invariably the evil monster will rear it's ugly head at the most inopportune time when going to the dentist is impossible.

Here is a Top Five list of tried and true home remedies that are drug (and alcohol) free.  These remedies have been used for centuries to help alleviate tooth pain, and all of them are excellent in easing the symptoms. Keep in mind, that some may be a little spicy on the palate, but there are techniques that can be used to help keep the flames down as well as the pain.  If you can handle a little heat, it's well worth the relief provided.

#1 Cayenne Pepper & Ginger Compress- A compress of these two herbs is excellent in relieving serious tooth pain caused by infection and abscess.  Mix equal parts of the two herbs with a little bit of warm water to make a paste and apply it directly on the tooth using a Q-Tip.  Covering it with a small cotton ball will help keep the spices away from your tongue and gums.  The effect is instantaneous and lasts around half hour to an hour.  Cayenne pepper contains salicylates, which are aspirin-like chemicals that block the actions of Substance P (a short-chain polypeptide that functions as a neurotransmitter especially in the transmission of pain)

#2 Toothache Tree - Zanthoxylum Americanum also known as the Prickly Ash tree has an anesthetic quality in the bark.  You can chew the bark, or steep it in water to make a tea.  Either way will provide a numbing sensation in your mouth that will help to reduce the pain.  It doesn't completely take it away, as does the cayenne & ginger paste, but it will definitely take the edge off.  The tree itself can be difficult to find in some areas, but most herbal stores carry the dried variety, which works just as well.

#3 Willow Tree Bark - Similar to the toothache tree, Willow bark will also cause a numbing of the mouth and gums.  While it works well, it doesn't last near as long as the first two methods, but the tree is easier to locate than the Prickly Ash. Simply chew the bark and then pack it down on the infected area will do the trick.

#4 Rhubarb - The Chinese have been using Rhubarb to cure tooth ailments for centuries.  I haven't personally tried this method, but I'm told it works well and is pretty easily obtained.  Fry it up, soak in rubbing alchohol and apply with a cotton ball. Leave for five minutes, remove the cotton and then rinse your mouth out.

#5 Sesame Seeds - Another tip from the Chinese herbalists is using Sesame seeds.  According to folk legend boil one part Sesame with two parts water until half the liquid remains.  Allow to cool enough to handle and apply the tincture directly to the tooth.  This method is also said to help prevent gum disease.

Before applying the above solutions a warm-as-you-can-handle salt water rinse is also good for relieveing tooth pain and it also doubles as a antiseptic rinse.  Keep in mind that these are not long-term fixes, but will offer relief from that pesky ache.  As always seek dental care as soon as possible since toothaches can be symptoms of more severe problems such as infections, which untreated can lead to more serious problems.

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