Although the field of dentistry has moved on hugely from the days when the main aim of a clinic was to relieve pain, there is still no getting away from the fact that toothache is one of the most unpleasant experiences many people go through. Whilst the best dental care is aimed at preventing tooth decay happening, there are still times when it’s unavoidable, and these are the occasions which call for the most effective pain relief.
If you’re unfortunate enough to find yourself suffering from toothache, then the first thing you should do is visit a dental clinic in London. Pain such as this may have an underlying cause which a dentist will be able to pin point and offer the correct treatment for, but for many patients, the overriding concern, initially, will be accessing pain relief which is safe and effective. The phrase ‘dental massage’ may, at first, sound a trifle outlandish, but all it actually amounts to is applying a substance with anaesthetic and anti-biotic qualities to the area which is causing problems. A range of over the counter medications of this type is available, but many patients now like to opt for the natural solution offered by clove oil.
Clove oil is an essential oil which comes from the clove plant, and has been found to have some qualities which make it perfect for the controlling of dental pain. Although it has a strong taste and odour which some people may find unpleasant, clove oil was used by dentists for many years before commercial variations were developed and, as it is entirely natural, some people still prefer to utilise it now.
The active ingredient in clove oil is known as eugenol and it is this which, as well as providing the oils distinctive smell, acts as a numbing and disinfecting agent. In 2006, the Journal of Dentistry published the results of a survey which investigated the effectiveness of clove oil. The study in question worked by dividing the patients involved into four separate groups. Each one of these groups had a different substance applied to their gums. These substances consisted of clove oil, a placebo based on clove oil, benzocaine and a placebo based on benzocaine.
After the substances had been applied to the gums, the patients then had needles stuck into the tissue, and reported on the degree of pain which they were feeling. The patients who’d used the two placebos reported no numbing effect, whereas those who used both benzocaine and clove oil felt no pain when the needles were applied.
The effectiveness of clove oil, then, is easily demonstrated, and the application is simply a matter of applying it to the affected area using tissue, a swab or even the gentle application of the tip of a finger. Although clove oil is effective and easily available from most health shops, doctors do warn that it may cause some side effects if used in too high a quantity. If too much of it manages to enter the patients’ blood stream, there is a small chance that it may cause liver or respiratory problems.
Although effective as a pain killer in the short term, clove oil should not be used for longer periods of time, since on-going pain in the teeth or gums is usually indicative of some deeper underlying problem. Whilst pain relief might be a patient’s immediate priority, discovering what is causing the pain and dealing with it is much more important in the long term.
Dental pain is often a sign of some deeper problem, such as erosion of enamel or the presence of cavities, and so it should always be investigated by a professional. Initially, however, when dealing with the pain, applying a natural and effective medication can ease the symptoms and bring relief.