Toothache: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

A toothache is a sharp, shooting pain in the teeth or mouth, typically caused by tooth decay, gum disease, cracked teeth, or infected gums.

The pain can radiate to the jaw, ear, or even the head, severely impacting daily activities and overall well-being. If left untreated, toothaches can lead to infections, abscesses, and even heart complications.

To alleviate toothache, herbal remedies like clove oil, which numbs the gum and tooth, and eucalyptus oil, which reduces inflammation, can be used. Additionally, warm tea made from chamomile or peppermint can help soothe the pain.

However, it is crucial to consult a dentist before using herbal remedies, and to use them in moderation to avoid interactions with medications.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of toothache, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of toothache?

The main causes of toothache are dental cavities, which are caused by the proliferation of bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans, leading to tooth decay and enamel destruction.

Additionally, gum disease, specifically periodontitis, can cause toothache due to inflammation and infection of the periodontal tissues surrounding the tooth. Other causes include cracked or fractured teeth, which expose the pulp and nerve endings to bacterial invasion, and tooth wear, which can expose the dentin and lead to sensitivity and pain. Toothache can also be caused by abscesses, which are pockets of pus that form as a result of bacterial infection, often as a complication of dental caries or gum disease.

Furthermore, toothache can be caused by tooth root infection, which occurs when the root of the tooth becomes infected, often due to gum disease or trauma to the tooth.

• Tooth Decay: Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, is the most common cause of toothache due to the bacterial breakdown of food particles, leading to the production of acid that dissolves tooth enamel and exposes the dentin, causing pain.
• Gum Disease: Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a common cause of toothache as it causes inflammation of the gums, leading to the destruction of the periodontal ligament, which connects the tooth to the jawbone, resulting in pain and discomfort.
• Cavitated Fissure: A cavitated fissure is a common cause of toothache as it is a small crack in the tooth enamel that can progress to the dentin, causing pain due to the exposure of the dentin to temperature and pressure changes.
• Tooth Abscess: A tooth abscess, also known as a periapical abscess, is a common cause of toothache as it is a bacterial infection that forms at the tip of the tooth root, causing inflammation and pain.
• Cracked Tooth: A cracked tooth is a common cause of toothache as it can cause pain due to the movement of the tooth fragments, which can irritate the pulp and cause inflammation and pain.
• Worn Out Filling: A worn-out filling is a common cause of toothache as it can expose the underlying dentin, causing pain due to temperature and pressure changes.
• Grinding and Clenching: Grinding and clenching of the teeth is a common cause of toothache as it can cause wear and tear on the teeth and jaw joint, leading to pain and discomfort.
• Tooth Root Fracture: A tooth root fracture is a common cause of toothache as it can cause pain due to the movement of the tooth fragments, which can irritate the pulp and cause inflammation and pain.
• Periapical Cyst: A periapical cyst is a common cause of toothache as it is a fluid-filled sac that forms at the tip of the tooth root, causing pain due to the inflammation of the surrounding tissues.
• Dental Work Complication: A complication from dental work is a common cause of toothache as it can cause pain due to the irritation of the pulp or the surrounding tissues, leading to inflammation and pain.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for toothache?

The main medicinal herbs used for toothache are Zingiber officinale, Mentha x piperita, Eucalyptus globulus, Echinacea purpurea, Syzygium aromaticum, Salvia officinalis, Cinchona officinalis, Aloe barbadensis, Melaleuca alternifolia, Calendula officinalis.

Zingiber officinale contains gingerols and shogaols, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, reducing pain and inflammation. Mentha x piperita or peppermint oil, contains menthol, which acts as a local anesthetic numbing the area, while Eucalyptus globulus has decongestant properties, reducing swelling. Syzygium aromaticum or clove oil has eugenol, a compound that numbs the area and has antibacterial properties, while Salvia officinalis has carnosic acid, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.

Aloe barbadensis soothes the mouth, Echinacea purpurea has antimicrobial properties, Melaleuca alternifolia or tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties, and Calendula officinalis has anti-inflammatory properties, reducing swelling and promoting healing.

• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale contains compounds that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce swelling and pain associated with toothache.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita, also known as peppermint, has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that help to alleviate toothache pain and reduce inflammation in the affected area.
• Eucalyptus globulus: Eucalyptus globulus contains eucalyptol, a compound that acts as a local anesthetic, numbing the pain and reducing inflammation in the gums and teeth associated with toothache.
• Echinacea purpurea: There is limited evidence to support the use of Echinacea purpurea for toothache relief.
• Syzygium aromaticum: Syzygium aromaticum, also known as clove, contains eugenol, a compound with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce pain and inflammation associated with toothache.
• Salvia officinalis: Salvia officinalis contains compounds that exhibit antimicrobial properties, which help to reduce bacterial growth and alleviate symptoms associated with toothache.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis contains quinine, a compound with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that help to reduce pain and inflammation associated with toothache.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis, also known as aloe vera, has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that help to reduce swelling and pain associated with toothache.
• Melaleuca alternifolia: Melaleuca alternifolia, also known as tea tree oil, contains compounds that exhibit antimicrobial properties, which help to reduce bacterial growth and alleviate symptoms associated with toothache.
• Calendula officinalis: Calendula officinalis contains compounds that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce swelling and pain associated with toothache.

What are the main herbal preparations used for toothache?

The main herbal preparations used for toothache are Decoction, Tincture, Salve, Capsule, Cream, Gel, Tea, Powder, Poultice, Oil.

Decoction of Willow bark (Salix alba) contains salicin, a compound similar to aspirin, which helps relieve toothache pain. Tincture of Clove oil (Syzygium aromaticum) is applied topically to numb the tooth, while Salve of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) reduces inflammation. Capsules of Turmeric powder (Curcuma longa) contain curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties, while Cream and Gel of Peppermint oil (Mentha piperita) help numb the tooth.

Poultice of Epsom salt (Magnesium sulfate) and Oil of wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) are also used to relieve toothache pain by reducing inflammation and numbing the area.

• Decoction: A decoction of plant materials like Echinacea purpurea helps with toothache by releasing its bioactive compounds that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce pain and inflammation in the affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue.
• Tincture: A tincture of plants like Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) helps with toothache by releasing its active compound eugenol, which has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties that numb the pain, reduce inflammation, and prevent infection in the affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue.
• Salve: A salve of plants like Calendula officinalis helps with toothache by releasing its bioactive compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which reduce pain and inflammation in the affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue, and prevent infection.
• Capsule: A capsule containing a standardized extract of plants like Willow bark (Salix alba) helps with toothache by releasing its active compound salicin, which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain and inflammation in the affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue.
• Cream: A cream containing a topical anesthetic like Lidocaine helps with toothache by numbing the pain in the affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue, providing temporary relief from toothache pain.
• Gel: A gel containing a topical anesthetic like Benzocaine helps with toothache by numbing the pain in the affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue, providing temporary relief from toothache pain.
• Tea: A tea of plants like Peppermint (Mentha piperita) helps with toothache by releasing its bioactive compounds that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce pain and inflammation in the affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue, and provide a calming effect.
• Powder: A powder of plants like Cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum) helps with toothache by releasing its active compound capsaicin, which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain and inflammation in the affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue.
• Poultice: A poultice of plants like Plantain (Plantago major) helps with toothache by releasing its bioactive compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which reduce pain and inflammation in the affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue, and prevent infection.
• Oil: An oil of plants like Oregano (Origanum vulgare) helps with toothache by releasing its bioactive compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which reduce pain and inflammation in the affected tooth and surrounding gum tissue, and prevent infection.