Toothaches can intervene with every mouth function, from eating and drinking, to smiling and talking. Tooth pain can also interfere with sleep, due to pressure on the jaw exacerbating the pain. Conversely, grinding the teeth during sleep, a condition known as bruxism, can lead to muscular tension and tooth pain, warns the Mayo Clinic. Individuals experiencing tooth pain should consult a primary care provider or dentist, to rule out any larger health care conditions.
Causes
Eating sugar without frequent tooth care can lead to an accumulation of bacteria on the teeth, which eat through the outer enamel. These cavities serve as tunnels for the bacteria to reach the inner dentin, notes the Mayo Clinic. Trauma to the teeth can chip or crack the enamel, creating a pathway for bacteria. Moreover, muscular tension around the temporal-mandibular joint, or TMJ, can refer pain into the teeth, states the National Institutes of Health, or NIH.
Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is antibacterial and antifungal, states the American Herb Association, or AHA, noting the oil's ability to kill bacteria, such as Salmonella, and prevent mold formation on grains in storage. The AHA adds that oregano oil can be useful for treating headaches, toothache, and muscle and joint pain. According to the AHA, the species known as Turkish, or black, oregano essential oil contains the most distinctive flavor and greatest therapeutic value.
Usage
Individuals above 12-years-old can ingest oregano oil, according to "Alive" magazine. However, they must know the product's proportion of carvacrol, an antibacterial chemical, to prevent toxicity. At most, individuals should ingest 50 milligrams of oil daily, equivalent to 37 to 43 mg carvacrol, for up to three weeks. For muscle strain, mix one drop oregano oil with three to five drops of carrier oil, then apply sparingly to the skin, recommends Hedd Wynn Essentials.
Oregano Red Flags
Oregano oil should not be substituted for mouth hygiene. Moreover, use of oregano oil can impair the growth of lactobacilli, microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract which help fight pathogens, notes "Alive" magazine. The magazine suggests limiting the course of the therapy and taking a probiotic afterwards. Oregano oil should not be used by pregnant or lactating women, due to potential toxicity with the fetus and the potential to stimulate uterine contractions, notes the UK website Baby Centre.
Toothache Red Flags
Severe tooth pain with fever or swelling may indicate the dentin has become infected, a tooth abscess, notes the NIH. If the infection is left untreated, it can spread across the jaw, or into other regions of the body. Sudden toothache, or persistent toothache, which seems to "throb" may also indicate a serious health condition and warrants immediate care by a medical provider.
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