Relief for toothache

Rooting out the problem

The sudden, stabbing pain of a toothache can, and should, send you scurrying to your dentist for treatment. Dental pain could mean anything from a cavity to an abscess, but occasionally it can signal other serious problems, such as a heart attack, an ear infection, or a sinus problem. Any pain or soreness within or around a tooth or the jaw should be evaluated, especially if it’s accompanied by a fever; chest, shoulder, or arm pain; a foul discharge; trouble breathing or swallowing; or if the pain lasts longer than one or two days.

But while you’re dialing that number and waiting to get an appointment, pain relief can begin right at home. Natural remedies can take the edge off without interfering with subsequent treatment the way traditional painkillers can.

For fast relief, try activated charcoal powder, which you can find in some health food stores and through numerous online sources. Mix about 2 teaspoons of the powder with just enough water to make a paste. Apply the paste to gauze and bite down.

For another effective remedy, head to your local health food store and pick up some clove oil. Mix two to three drops with 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil. Apply some to a cotton ball or dab it directly on the sore spot. One note of caution: Don’t use clove oil in large quantities, or if you have diabetes, kidney and liver disease, bleeding disorders, or if you are pregnant or nursing.

Other natural alternatives to acetaminophen include oil of oregano, goldenseal powder, Echinacea tea, and wintergreen oil. They can all provide temporary relief until you can arrange to see your dentist.

Breathing easier just got sweeter

Q: Do you have any information on asthma? I am 53 years old and have just had a bout of asthma and would appreciate any help you can offer.

JVW: A nasal spray called Xlear (pronounced Klear) that is made with the natural sugar xylitol can help control asthma if it’s used regularly. The spray rinses away pollutants from the back of the nose that can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks. Xlear is available from the Tahoma Clinic Dispensary, natural food stores, and compounding pharmacies.

What is…xylitol?

Xylitol is a natural sugar that can be found in plums, raspberries, corn, and in our own bodies (we make it every day). Produced from wood and wheat grass, it looks and tastes like ordinary table sugar but has a significant twist: It wards off infections.

One study found that as a nasal spray, xylitol blocks the ability of more than half of all harmful bacteria from sticking to the cells lining the back of the nose and sinuses, reducing ear and sinus infections by a remarkable 93 percent when used on a regular basis. In addition to its commercial use as a sugar substitute, one controlled study found that xylitol use aids in the re-growth of dental enamel, in effect reversing and healing existing cavities.

Another study showed that breast-fed children whose mothers chewed xylitol gum during their pregnancies produced children who had less cavities than the children of mothers who had fluoride treatments.