A toothache, whether it is a dull or sharp pain, can really put a damper on your day and make it a lot more difficult to concentrate on your everyday activities. When you feel that pain in your tooth, all you want to do is lie in your bed until it goes away. If you can't see a dentist right away, you can do some things at home to ease the discomfort. Here are seven effective ways to alleviate a toothache:

Try Tea

The tea in your cupboard has more uses than just soothing a sore throat; it can also make your toothache feel much better. The tannins in tea are very effective at reducing inflammation, alleviating your sore tooth. After you steep the tea bag in boiling water for about 15 minutes, put it against the affected tooth until the pain subsides.

Give Clove Oil a Chance

Derived from the clove plant, clove oil can alleviate a sore tooth. According to the New York Times, the oil's analgesic and antibacterial properties can get rid of bacteria, reducing your tooth pain. Just put a few drops of clove oil on a cotton ball and apply it directly to your sore tooth. Leave it on your tooth until the pain goes away. Be careful not to swallow any of the oil, as it can lead to harmful side effects, like liver damage.

Do a Salt Water Rinse

Another way you can take some of the pain away is to rinse your mouth out with salt water. It will take some of the swelling down and wash away bacteria, alleviating discomfort. Put a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water and swish the solution in your mouth for about 30 seconds. After you spit it out, your tooth should feel better. Feel free to repeat this treatment several times a day.

Combine Ginger and Cayenne

Mixing ginger and cayenne together can also help you get relief from your toothache. After you combine equal parts of these spices in a small bowl, put enough water in there to make a paste. Then, dip a cotton ball in the paste and place it directly on your sore tooth. Leave it on your tooth until you feel the pain subsiding. These spices will likely burn after a few minutes, so you may have to take breaks.

Use a Piece of Gum

If your toothache is due to a crack or lost filling, you can use a piece of gum to temporarily subside the pain. Just place softened gum on the affected area and leave it on there until you can see a dentist.

Get a Cough Drop

If you have any cough drops in your medicine cabinet, pop one in your mouth. A cough drop has some anesthetic properties, so it can help with a toothache. After you suck on the cough drop for a few minutes, you should feel the pain going away.

Try Garlic

Garlic contains antibacterial properties, so it can be a lifesaver when you have a toothache. After you crush a clove of garlic, put it on your sore tooth to reduce the pain. You can also chew on a clove of garlic.

If you follow these helpful tips, you can get relief from your sore tooth and go about your day as normal. However, you should recognize that these treatments are only temporary. You should see a dentist from a clinic like Hernandez Dental as soon as possible. A dentist can look at your sore tooth and determine what exactly is causing the pain. Whether it's an abscess or cavity, your dentist can treat your tooth right there.