COVID-19: Home Remedies For Oral Health Care
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COVID-19: Home Remedies For Oral Health Care

There is no denying in the fact that these are uncertain times. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has made massive disruptions in our life. With postponing of non-emergency dental treatment, it has become extremely significant for individuals to take utmos

Post by on Monday, May 3, 2021

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DR.JANHVI P. MAMTORA

GENERAL & COSMETIC DENTIST

MUMBAI

There is no denying in the fact that these are uncertain times. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has made massive disruptions in our life. With postponing of non-emergency dental treatment, it has become extremely significant for individuals to take utmost care when it comes to oral hygiene. However, toothache or other dental issues are bound to happen. In this regard, one can rely on dental home care by applying proven tips.

Dental pain is one of the most common symptoms of untreated oral problems, with negative consequences to the quality of life. Dental pain may be associated with multiple causes like ulcerations, tooth injuries, tooth eruption, sensitivity, but, most common is with decayed tooth/teeth. Toothache can range from mild irritation to severe or agonising pain. This pain may be constant or may come and go.

Below are certain very simple home remedies to temporarily cure your toothache until you visit your dentist.-

1)  BRUSHING AND FLOSSING -  Brushing and flossing helps remove the lodged food particles in between the teeth thereby reducing the pain.

2)   GARGLES A) Saline water gargles -

                               B) Hydrogen peroxide gargles – with 1:1dilution.

                                C) Antiseptic mouthwash.

   3) CLOVE OIL – Numbs the tooth. Soak a small pallet of cotton in the clove oil , dab it so as to remove the excess oil, and place in that particular tooth only . DO NOT TOUCH THE SURROUNDING TISSUES / GUMS ELSE IT WILL GET INFLAMED.

4) GARLIC – When crushed releases a chemical known as ALLICIN. It has a numbing effect too. But it should be fresh garlic either crush it and apply directly on the affected tooth or crush between your teeth and let it remain there for a couple of minutes. Although your mouth will have a bad odour. But definitely, worth trying.

5) VANILLA EXTRACT- from vanilla bean contains alcohol and antioxidants , the alcohol will have numbing effect and antioxidants have healing effect .This may heal the toothache for a prolonged time.

6) There are many herbs effective for such dental pain like papaya leaves, eucalyptus oil, guava leaves, thyme, coconut , bark of a mango tree, tobacco  leaves .

7) TROPICAL ANESTHETICS- That are easily available at the counter can be applied to the affected tooth or gums but they give relief for very short duration.

8) ICE -In case of swelling apply ice packs from outer aspect. If only tooth pain , Apply ice on the particular tooth and gums for 7 -10 minutes, so that the tooth and the surrounding area is numbed.

9) PEPPERMINT OIL/ TEA BAGS – used and chilled peppermint tea bags will soothe your toothache.

10) ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATION- ACETAMINOPHEN OR IBUPROFEN( should not be allergic)   also can give relief .

11) PRESSURE POINTS-  Find a comfortable position, relax yourself by closing the eyes and breathe deeply. Massage the points till no pain

A)  small intestine 18 pressure points ie. cheekbone crevice, draw a line directly from the outer corner of the eye down to the hollow of the cheekbone . 

There are many such points present .Also called cheekbone cavity.

B) Gall Bladder 21 – is located top of the shoulder . It’s the centre point between the shoulder end and side of the neck.

This point is used to cure neck pain, headache, facial pain.

C) Stomach 6- it is used typically to relieve oral and tooth ailments.

For this, clench your teeth naturally together .

It is located halfway between the corner of the mouth and the base of the earlobe .

Or it’s the same muscle that flexes when u clench your teeth.

12) In case your teeth are sensitive- Either because gums have receded or enamel has worn out , causing exposure of the dentine(dentinal tubules) , use a medicated toothpaste containing  potassium nitrate that blocks the dentinal tubules thereby decreasing the activity of sensory nerves and prevent or reduces the sensory signals from reaching the brain.

But this is not spontaneous but takes a minimum of 1-2weeks to act like -Take  a pea size toothpaste and apply over the sensitive tooth /teeth and leave on for 5 minutes and then brush your teeth .

          All the above are remedies that you can use but are only temporary or prolong your visit to your dentist , but you should contact or visit your dentist if-

1)  Your pain is worsening or unbearable.

2)  Having high temperature or fever.

3)  Swelling in mouth , gums , face, or neck.

4)  Difficulty in swallowing or breathing .

5)  Bleeding gums.

6)  Pus discharge.

Does Mouthwash Kill Covid-19?

Drjanhvi Mamtora

Oral mouthwash is an important regimen for maintaining good oral hygiene. There are many such oral rinses available over the counter for the same with different medicaments, fluoride, alum , etc. depending on the condition of the oral cavity.

• Most prevalent mouthwash to prevent Covid-19 is the one containing Chlorhexidine Gluconate (0.2percent) , as it directly disrupts the cell wall of the virus preventing the colonization in the oropharynx within 30 sec of its contact and eventually the spread , without damaging the oral mucosal cells . Usage – 10ml concentrated, squish in mouth for 30sec to 60sec twice a day for a minimum 4 days.

• There are other oral rinses like betadine containing povidone iodine and Proxol that contains hydrogen peroxide, these only are antiseptic and anti-microbial but it does cause damage or irritation to the surrounding mucosal cells at the same time doesn’t disrupts the cell wall like Chlorhexidine Gluconate. But yes, do help to some extent.




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