Using Vanilla Extract to Ease a Toothache

Using Vanilla Extract for a Toothache

When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you (learn more)

If you want to relieve toothache pain permanently, it is essential to identify the source of trouble and treat this directly. Some toothaches will require a dentist or other health professional, but others can be treated at home with little difficulty. So, what are the most common causes of a toothache?

What Causes a Toothache?

Most toothaches result from a cavity that exposes a portion of the tooth below the enamel or possibly the root. When food or liquids touch the cavity, you feel pain. Tooth decay is the leading cause of such cavities, so protecting your teeth by regularly brushing and flossing can help prevent this sort of toothache.

Other causes of toothache pain include receding gums which expose the root of the tooth, an abscess (an infection at the root or near the gum that results in the formation of a pocket of pus), a cracked or broken tooth, or wisdom tooth problems. All of these can become very painful if not treated quickly. But what do you do while you are waiting to see the dentist? How can you alleviate this pain until you can have the cause of your pain treated?

While using homemade remedies may not always be able to cure the cause of your toothache pain, it can help you live with your dental problem until you can visit your dentist. Several at-home remedies work well for treating toothache pain, and you probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen or bathroom to make most of them right now.

Vanilla Extract for Toothaches

Vanilla extract is an extremely helpful tool for treating your toothache at home. This natural product naturally contains alcohol which, when applied to the source of your tooth problem, can dull pain. Vanilla extract can also help to fight infection because of this alcohol content, which means it can help you start to solve problems caused by microbes. For minor infections, using this home remedy may even be enough to cure your problem and thoroughly relieve the cause of your toothache.

Vanilla extract contains a compound known as eugenol, which is commonly found in temporary fillings that are used by dentists around the world. Eugenol is a natural anesthetic, so it dulls pain and reduces sensitivity in whatever tissue it touches. In addition, vanilla’s scent is very calming, which can help relieve the tension that is common with toothaches and other types of pain.

If you have a toothache and need to find relief, using vanilla extract can help. There are several ways you can apply this remedy to relieve your toothache pain.

You can dab a small amount of extract onto your finger and then gently rub the liquid into the painful area. Gentle massage can sometimes provide pain relief while the alcohol from the extract soaks in and numbs the pain.
You can also use a cotton square soaked in vanilla extract to apply it to the painful area. This works well in hard to reach areas or if you want to leave the treatment on the tooth for a while.

When choosing extract, be sure that it is genuine vanilla extract and not imitation, as it will not have the same analgesic and antimicrobial properties. Use this remedy with caution on young children and babies because of the alcohol content. You can repeat the application as many times as you need until you can see your dentist or resolve the source of your toothache.

Additional Natural Toothache Remedies

salt for toothaches

Some people may not have vanilla extract at home or my wish to try additional treatments to relieve their toothache. The following are other effective ways of treating mouth pain at home.

Salt Water

A time-honored treatment, rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can be an effective treatment for many oral problems. As a natural disinfectant, salt water can help treat minor infections that are causing tooth or gum problems. The saltwater rinse can also loosen any particles that may be causing pain by lodging between teeth or at the gumline. Saltwater can reduce inflammation and heal wounds inside the mouth, as well. Gargle or swish with a mixture of warm water and one-half teaspoon salt for best results.

Ice Pack

Another effective treatment for certain types of toothaches is ice or cold compresses. If your pain is because of a broken or cracked tooth, trauma to your face or mouth, or comes with a lot of inflammation, the cold from a compress or ice pack can reduce swelling, numb the area, and reduce your pain. Ice should be wrapped in a towel, or it can stick to the sensitive skin of your mouth and cause more problems. Try to keep ice on the affected area for at least 20 minutes. You can freeze wet washcloths and use these for areas in hard to reach places in the mouth, as well.

Additional Advice Regarding Toothache Treatment

While you are treating your toothache at home or waiting to see the dentist, here are a few additional tips that can help you reduce your pain and be more comfortable while your problem is healing.

Drink plenty of water to keep the area moist and to remove microbes from the wound. If cold water is too sensitive, try warm or lukewarm beverages. Staying hydrated will ensure your mouth is producing saliva, which protects you from further problems.

Be sure you are brushing and flossing your teeth after every meal to keep the infection from spreading or worsening.
Stick to soft foods while your tooth is healing. Avoid eating sugar, which can feed microbes and make it hard to kill the infection.
Call your dentist to discuss your problem and get advice on how best to treat your pain while you wait to be seen. If the pain continues for several days or gets worse, you should see your dentist as soon as possible.

If you have a medical condition, are pregnant, have an artificial implant (such as a knee or hip), or are breastfeeding, you should talk with your doctor or dentist about your problem before using herbal treatments.