Toothaches can vary in degree, ranging from a mild to severe. But regardless of how painful it actually is – you need to find out what’s causing the pain and get it treated.

Generally it is advised that if you have a toothache that persists for more than 2 days, you should visit your dentist. However in the interim the pain may be too annoying or too much to bear – in which case you can use some of these home remedies to give yourself a bit of relief:

• Rinse with salt water

Make your own salt water rinse by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Then, swish it around your mouth for about 30 seconds before spitting it out.

Despite how simple it is, this is one of the best home remedies for toothaches. It can not only loosen any debris lodged in cavities, but also reduce swelling, relieve sore throat, and promote healing.

• Use an ice pack or cold compress

If your toothache is caused by an injury or your gums are swollen, an ice pack or cold compress can work wonders. It will cause the blood vessels in the area to constrict and numb the pain as well as help the inflammation.

• Rinse with hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide rinses are a decent alternative to salt water rinses and can kill bacteria, remove plaque, and help heal bleeding gums. However you need to make sure that it is properly diluted if you use it and will normally want to mix a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution with equal parts water.

• Take over-the-counter painkillers

Taking over-the-counter painkillers is a simple and straightforward way to deal with toothaches. In most cases ibuprofen should deal with the pain effectively, or at very least take the edge off – but you must stick to the recommended dosage.

It is normally recommended that children take acetaminophen.

• Drink some peppermint tea

Peppermint tea is a surprisingly decent remedy for toothaches. It has mild numbing properties and can act as an anti-bacterial. Aside from rinsing your mouth with tea, you can also hold a warm, moist teabag against the tooth to deal with the pain.

• Apply garlic to your teeth

It may sound like an odd remedy, but crushing a clove of garlic then adding some salt can help with your toothache. The reason for that is because of the allicin that is present in garlic and has antibacterial properties.

It should be noted that none of these home remedies are meant to replace a dental appointment. At best they can provide some relief before you visit a dentist in Stroud or a nearby location.

At the end of the day you will still need to visit your dentist so that they can identify the root cause of the toothache and deal with it. Keep in mind that if the cause isn’t identified and treated it could lead to further complications and may even become life threatening.