Tooth extraction can be a painful but necessary procedure. Many of us have had our wisdom teeth removed, while some may have had other teeth removed to reduce crowding or pain in the jaw. No matter the reason, it’s important to look after yourself afterwards. Here are 15 home remedies for tooth extraction healing that can help you reduce discomfort while you’re healing.
Keep in mind that tooth extraction is still surgery, and that the remedies listed below aren’t definitive. If you find that you’re experiencing serious side effects from the procedure, contact your dental surgeon straight away.
1. Tea Bags
If you’re experiencing a lot of bleeding after your tooth extraction, try using a teabag to reduce the symptoms and kick-start healing.
How to Apply
Wet the teabag and put it in place over the site where the tooth was extracted and bite down. Hold the teabag in place for at least an hour.
Why Does It Work
The tannic acid in tea helps your blood clot, stopping the excessive bleeding that might have been causing you discomfort.
2. Clove Oil
If you find that you’re in pain as your tooth extraction healing is taking place, but you don’t want to use traditional painkillers, give clove oil a try.
How to Apply
Dip a Q-Tip or cotton ball in the clove oil, and be sure to only use a few drops. Gently wipe it over the site of your tooth extraction. Be careful not to swallow any clove oil.
Why Does It Work
Clove oil contains eugenol, which has natural painkilling and anti-bacterial properties. It also reduces inflammation.
3. Arnica
Arnica, a plant with a large yellow flower, has pain-relieving properties and could be a useful tooth extraction healing remedy if you’re feeling discomfort.
How to Apply
Arnica can be used in tablet form. Take the pills with a full glass of room-temperature water. Use only the amount recommended on the label.
Why Does It Work
Arnica reduces inflammation, which is useful if you’re suffering from inflamed or sore gums after your tooth extraction. It can also help you reduce swelling
4. Garlic
Garlic can help with inflammation while you’re going through tooth extraction healing, and can reduce pain.
How to Apply
Peel a clove of garlic, then gently chew it, being careful not to get any of it in the site of your tooth extraction. Do not swallow. Once you’ve finished chewing, spit it out and rinse your mouth with warm water.
Why Does It Work
Garlic is a member of the allium family. It has natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe pain and discomfort caused by tooth extraction.
5. Calendula
If you find that your mouth is dry and uncomfortable after tooth extraction surgery, try using calendula, a member of the marigold family, to restore moisture and reduce pain.
How to Apply
Calendula tincture can be used as a mouthwash. Add a few drops to warm (but not hot) water, along with a pinch of salt, and swish it around your mouth as gently as possible.
Why Does it Work
Calendula has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which means that it can minimize swelling and reduce pain in your mouth. Using it as a mouthwash helps keep your mouth moist, which is important if you want to avoid side effects like dry socket.
6. Mustard Oil
Mustard oil is full of nutrients and vitamins and can help stimulate bloodflow, improving healing times.
How to Apply
Add a couple drops of mustard oil to your fingertips and gently massage the oil into your gums, being careful not to irritate the extraction site.
Why Does it Work
Mustard oil contains omega-3 fatty acids and anti-oxidants, which can help promote better healing.
7. Hydrogen Peroxide
If you don’t want to use harsher mouthwashes, gently rinsing with warm water and hydrogen peroxide can help.
How to Apply
Mix 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with warm, clean water and rinse gently around your mouth for 30 seconds.
Why Does it Work
Hydrogen peroxide can kill bacteria in the mouth and promote faster healing from tooth extraction surgery.
8. Castor Oil
Castor oil can provide effective relief from soreness after tooth extraction. Here’s how to use it.
How to Apply
Gently rub castor oil on your gums for half a minute, being careful to avoid the surgery site. Do not swallow the oil. Rinse your mouth with warm, clean water.
Why Does it Work
Castor oil has natural painkilling and antibacterial properties, helping reduce pain and inflammation in your gums after surgery.
9. Guava Leaves
Guava leaves can be used as a natural painkiller after tooth extraction.
How to Apply
You can boil the guava leaves in water and let the solution cool, then use it as a mouthwash, or gently chew on the leaves for pain relief. Always rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Why Does it Work
Guava leaves are anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory because they are full of powerful flavonoids.
10. Peppermint Leaves
Peppermint leaves can help with post-surgery pain. Here’s how you can use them.
How to Apply
Wash peppermint leaves and place them over the extraction site for 20 minutes, then remove the leaves.
Why Does it Work
Peppermint leaves provide natural pain relief and help freshen breath.
11. Turmeric
Turmeric isn’t just for curries – here’s how it can help with tooth extraction healing.
How to Apply
Mix turmeric powder with water to create a paste, then gently apply the paste to your gums. Rinse your mouth with warm water after half a minute.
Why Does it Work
Turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which reduces swelling and helps your gums heal faster.
12. Omega-3 Supplements
Promote faster healing by supplementing your diet with omega-3 fatty acids.
How to Apply
After surgery, take omega-3 supplements once a day with meals. Fish oil supplements are best.
Why Does it Work
Omega-3 reduces inflammation, helping you heal faster from the surgery.
13. Vitamin B6
If you’re experiencing excessive swelling after surgery and compresses aren’t helping, try using Vitamin B6.
How to Apply
Take a Vitamin B6 supplement once a day with meals.
Why Does it Work
Vitamin B6 helps reduce swelling and fluid retention quickly so that you can rest easier after surgery.
14. Vitamin C
Promote faster healing after surgery by using Vitamin C.
How to Apply
Take a Vitamin C supplement once a day, either in pill form or by dissolving a tablet in water.
Why Does it Work
Vitamin C has been shown to speed up healing times after tooth surgery, which is important because new tissue needs to grow over the site of the extracted tooth.
15. Lemon and Salt Solution
Keep your mouth clean and fresh after surgery by rinsing with a lemon and salt solution.
How to Apply
Add a teaspoon of lemon juice and a pinch of salt to warm water, then gently rinse around your mouth for 30 seconds. Do not swallow.
Why Does it Work
Lemon juice and salt have antiseptic properties, helping you keep your mouth free of bacterial and reducing the risk of infection.
Summing Up
Tooth extraction healing doesn’t have to be a painful process; use some of these natural remedies to heal faster and reduce discomfort. What other natural tooth extraction healing remedies have you tried?
Image from depositphotos.com.
