Essential oils for oral health

Nature has a wealth of medical solutions for treating pain, tension, stress, and other disorders that affect our bodies. Fans of herbs and spices are discovering that these beautiful plants and mixtures can help in the kitchen and on the buffet table and have remedies and medical properties which spread far and wide. The oils of these amazing herbs and plants are used in cooking and drinks too but lets look t how they can help our oral health.

Alternative home remedies for toothache pain have quickly gained popularity, with herbal and essential oils being the most popular and convenient pain relievers.

Clove oil

The Oil of Clove is the most widely accessible over-the-counter remedy in pharmacies.

Clove oil is extracted from the buds of the blooms of the Clove Plant, which can be found in Madagascar and Indonesia. Eugenol, a component found in clove oil, is analgesic and antibacterial in nature. Oil of clove is a particularly powerful source of dental pain treatment, among its numerous benefits. It relieves discomfort caused by sore gums, mouth sores, and mouth ulcers by numbing the area around the damaged tooth.

How to use it

Soak a cotton ball with a few drops of Oil of Clove and apply to the afflicted area to relieve toothache pain. Reports of it being used for this purpose date back more than 300 years. In China, it has been used for multiple purposes for more than 2,000 years, including as an antiparasitic agent. It may also work to prevent dental infection thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics but there needs to be more research around this. Do not ingest it.

Clove oil has also been applied to the skin as a topical anaesthetic. It’s sweet and aromatic, and it’s frequently used in toothpaste and even exotic foods as an ingredient and flavouring.

Note: Because this extract is harmful to human cells in large amounts, it should be used with caution. If you are using it in cooking it is better to opt for the dried spice. Clove oil is contraindicated in people who are hypersensitive to clove oil or eugenol. Clove oil should not be used while teething. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Please do your research. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/clove.html

Topical. There are a couple of ways to apply clove oil to your skin if you want to use it for pain relief, wound healing, or to ease itching:  Dilute clove oil in carrier oil, such as jojoba, coconut, or olive oil. To avoid life-threatening consequences, it should not be consumed or ingested in significant quantities.

Coconut Oil

It is said that gum disease and cavities can both be prevented with coconut oil. The secret, according to researchers, is the lauric acid in it, which reacts with chemicals in saliva. It cleans while also reducing plaque adherence and build up. It also has antibacterial characteristics, making it efficient against cavity-causing bacteria and the ability to keep gums moist, which is a key health benefit for people who suffer from dry mouth. Add a few drops of peppermint oil and brush your teeth or use the coconut oil for oil pulling to clean the teeth and tissues of the mouth.

Eucalyptus oil

This is used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, kill germs, speed up healing, and get rid of bad breath. It’s yet another traditional treatment with a long list of advantages. According to research, it possesses antibacterial and anti-plaque qualities, making it useful in the fight against gum disease and decay. It’s been used to help heal wounds, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation in the past. It has a flavour that is both powerful and refreshing. When combined with the other oral health benefits, it fights bad breath on multiple levels.

Lemon oil

This is another essential oil that can be used as an alternative home treatment. Scurvy was once a frequent and deadly disease that afflicted coastal communities. Spongy gums, bleeding gums, and loose teeth are all symptoms of this illness. As discovered by ancient sailors, Citrus and lemon is an excellent source of toothache relief as well as energising a tired mind and body. Lemon oil is frequently used as an antiseptic because it contains antibacterial and antifungal properties. To relieve toothache pain at home, combine 5 drops of this oil with warm water and gargle as needed.

Myrrh

Myrrh is another common essential oil that can be used to help relieve dental pain. It is mostly used to treat mouth sores; a gargling solution may be made by mixing 1-2 drops of this oil with water to relieve sores and toothache discomfort.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree can also be used as a home treatment to relieve discomfort. Apply a few drops of tea tree oil to a cotton ball and apply immediately to the afflicted area. After each meal, repeat the technique at least three times.

Rock Salt

To dislodge food particles lodged between teeth and gum areas, rinse your mouth thoroughly with a glass of lukewarm water with a pinch of rock salt. This also helps to cleanse and sterilise. Make your own cup of warm saline solution and gargle and rinse to flush ut toxins and calm things down.

Homemade saline solution

Saline solution is easy to make and can be done using things you already have in your kitchen.

You’ll need:

• Filtered or bottled water but can be tap water as you are going to boil it.
• table salt or preferably fine sea salt (iodine-free)
• a heat proof pot or pan with a lid
• a clean jar
• a measuring cup and teaspoon
• baking soda (optional)

Before you begin, prepare a jar to store your saline solution in. Wash the jar and lid thoroughly with hot water and soap or run it through the dishwasher. This will help prevent bacteria from contaminating your solution.

Stovetop method / kettle

• Boil 2 cups of water and cover for 15 minutes.
• Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Add 1 teaspoon of salt.
• Add 1 pinch of baking soda (optional).
• Stir until dissolved.
• Refrigerate in airtight container for up to 24 hours. (After that, it should be discarded.)

Distilled method

• Add 8 teaspoons of table salt to 1 gallon of distilled water.
• Refrigerate for up to 1 month.

The best way to use the solution for healing pain though is to use it when warm and keep flushing out the area, gargle for sore throats, but try to hold it on the area for as long as you can, each time it cools and you feel the heat goes out of the mouth, spit it out and repeat, until the liquid is used up. Its not the greatest taste and takes a bit of practise to hold, gargle hold but it works a treat.

Note: Do take care like everything, not to swallow it, might upset your tummy and take your time to avoid any choking hazards.

There are a huge range of home cures for toothache pain and oral health that are readily available. We don’t have to seek too far; if we simply look in our cabinets to find a simple toothache pain reliever, you may be surprised that you already have some of these on hand. If you don’t have access to a dentist, these essential oils may provide effective relief from toothache discomfort. If pain persists after using a variety of essential oils and various home remedies, a visit to the dentist is recommended to out rule and treat if necessary a more serious issue.