Rubbing aspirin on your gums to numb an aching tooth isn't
a good idea. In fact, it'll do more harm than good, says Dr. Chris Kammer of
the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry.
"Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which can burn and damage
gum tissue," Kammer says. For general pain relief, its a better idea to simply
swallow the aspirin. Or stop by a pharmacy for pain-relieving gels like Anbesol
or Orajel. Other home remedies for a toothache include rinsing your mouth with
salt water or dabbing some clove oil directly on the bad tooth, Kammer says.
Clove oil has bacteria-slaying properties, along with a remarkable numbing effect.
"We've used clove oil in dentistry for years," Kammer says.
"Clove oil is responsible for that stereotypical dental office smell. Years ago,
wed dab clove oil over a tooth before putting a filling on it, but now we have
better ways of decreasing the sensitivity."
For another home remedy, there's numbing power in cooled
peppermint tea. Swish, then swallow if you like the flavor. "People can try
putting some ice on the hurting area, but the temperature of the ice could
send them over the edge," Kammer warns.
Most challenging are toothaches that stem from inside a
tooth, he adds. But in cases where a lost filling or a broken tooth is causing
the pain, "caulking" the sore tooth with softened chewing gum can ease the pain --
covering the sensitive area until its able to be repaired.
These are among the dental home remedies found in a new book
by Readers Digest, 1,801 Home Remedies: Trustworthy Treatments for Everyday Health
Problems. Its an easy-to-read reference book that uncovers folk cures used by early
American pioneers, as well as healing methods of tribal shamans.
Advice is offered for everything from hiccups to insect
bites, sore throats to constipation. Dental home remedies in the book were
overseen by Kammer, the books dental adviser. "Any problem that can be handled
or comforted at home is a great option for people," Kammer says. "For starters,
it saves the cost of an office visit."
Besides that, this is the decade of seeking information on
the Internet and being active participants in our health, he says. Fortunately,
this collection of home remedies from Readers Digest separates fact from fiction,
offering the science behind why some tried-and-true remedies are effective.
"There's an incredible amount of information here with lots of choices for people,"
Kammer says.
For example, if swishing cold water in your mouth doesn't work
for bad breath, try munching the sprig of parsley that's left on your plate. Water
dislodges bacteria that cause bad breath, and parsley contains chlorophyll, which
is a germ-fighting breath deodorizer. Another option is to eat an orange. Citric
acid increases the production of saliva, which allows foul-smelling bacteria to be
carried away.
If bad breath still lingers, remember that a cinnamon stick
is an effective antiseptic, or consider Kammer's suggestion of breath control
products that are proven to be dentally effective, such as chlorine dioxide rinses.
Brand names are TheraBreath or ProFresh. These rinses break down sulfur compounds,
which often are the culprits behind breath odor. "Bacteria thrives on our tongues,
so just the physical action of rubbing your tongue across your teeth will loosen up
odor-causing bacteria," Kammer says.
He especially likes how this new reference book goes beyond
home remedies and talks about prevention as well. "If you can focus on these
preventive aspects, then you may not be in the situation where you need a remedy,"
he says. For example, health experts within the book suggest that people with
frequent canker sores check to see if their toothpaste contains sodium lauryl
sulfate, or SLS. Its a foaming agent that's been linked in some studies to the
development of canker sores. "Toothpaste that doesn't contain SLS usually makes
a big deal about it by saying SLS free on its label," Kammer says.
Another preventive measure for canker sores is to avoid eating
chips and other jagged foods that can cause tiny cuts and scrapes, which can be an
entry way for a virus to set up shop in your mouth. Besides that, stay away from
foods that trigger canker sores. Potential troublemakers include whole wheat, rye,
barley, shellfish, pineapple, chocolate and tomatoes. |
Center for Cosmetic Dentistry
