Oral Pain Relief

If you're experiencing oral pain, you might be searching for some alternative or home remedies. Mouths can hurt for a variety of reasons, and several remedies can help alleviate your symptoms. You might even benefit from aromatherapy. Despite the effectiveness of these alternative therapies, it's important to know when to call your doctor.

Oral Pain Relief

• If your oral pain comes from grinding your teeth, you might experience some relief from simple lifestyle changes. According to "The Doctors' Book of Home Remedies for Women," grinding your teeth is detrimental to your mouth. To help reduce the tendency to grind your teeth before bedtime, try an herbal tea or warm milk. Herbal tea or warm milk could help relax you, while alcoholic drinks tend to exacerbate the grinding. Teeth grinding is often a result of stress, so consider adding exercise to your day. Exercise helps to combat stress and causes your brain to release endorphins, the natural feel-good hormones.

  If you're experiencing oral pain because of canker sores, consider trying aromatherapy to ease your symptoms. Valerie Ann Worwood, author of "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy," suggests making your own mouthwash. Dilute two drops of peppermint oil, four drops of lemon oil, two drops of geranium oil and two drops of thyme into 2 tsp. brandy. Take 1 tsp. of this mixture at a time. Swish it around in your mouth, but don't swallow. You can also make a gel to soothe the irritated area. Place two drops of chamomile and one drop of thyme into 1 tbsp. aloe vera gel or liquid.

  Sometimes a toothache can cause a tremendous deal of oral pain. If you're experiencing a toothache, consider applying an ice pack to the outside of your cheek for some relief. Avoid heat, though, because if your ache is caused by inflammation, heat could actually make the ache worse. Regularly flossing can reduce your chances of getting a toothache, as flossing prevents food from getting trapped under your gum line. Trapped food can lead to an abscess.

When to See a Doctor

• If you tend to grind your teeth, see your doctor if your jaw frequently hurts in the morning, or if you experience headaches. In addition, make sure to check with your dentist to see if you're harming your teeth. Your dentist could fit you with a mouthpiece that will keep you from grinding your teeth.

  According to "The Doctors' Book of Home Remedies for Women," any time you have a toothache, it's important to call your dentist immediately. Even if your pain subsides, bacteria may still be multiplying.