After arriving home after a root canal, you may wonder if there is anything you can do to naturally treat the achy feeling and prevent infection. If so, use one or more of the following natural remedies for taking care of your root canal site at home.

Cleanse the Area with a Pick Streaming Salt Water

One remedy you can use to gently cleanse your tooth is to use a water pick that is streaming salt water. Salt helps kill germs in and around the root canal site that could invade the exposed pulp and possibly lead to an abscessed tooth. 

Not only does it prevent infection, but salt can also help relieve any discomfort you may be feeling. Salt helps draw out inflammation, helping to decrease gum swelling around the infected tooth.

For this remedy, mix together a cup of cool water and two tablespoons of salt. Place the mixture in the reservoir of your water pick, and directly spray the tooth with the salt water.

You can use this remedy after every meal to flush away food particles and liquid residue. Also, use it after brushing your teeth when you get up in the morning and before going to bed. If you wish, follow the cleansing with one or both of the remedies discussed below.

Place a Cold Chamomile Tea Bag on Your Tooth

This natural home remedy uses the properties of chamomile to further cleanse the tooth, relieve your pain, and kill bacteria. When used cold, the temperature of the cool tea bag also reduces swelling and the throbbing sensation by reducing blood flow to the gums.

For a more potent treatment, this remedy adds drops of chamomile essential oil to the prepared tea bag. This addition gives you a more direct application of the herb.

To prepare the remedy, steep one chamomile tea bag in hot water for 15 minutes. Then, place the bag on a saucer or in a small bowl, and put it in the refrigerator for about an hour.

Once the bag has fully cooled, add two or three drops of chamomile oil to the center of the bag. Place this area directly on your tooth, and bite down gently to keep it in place for 10 to 15 minutes. 

You can use this remedy every few hours when you feel discomfort. After using this treatment, you can follow it with the remedy discussed in the next section.

Apply Gauze Infused with Peppermint Oil

When used in conjunction with the above remedies or as a standalone treatment, applying gauze infused with peppermint oil to the root canal site can help numb the pain and kill any leftover bacteria around the area.

To prepare this remedy, place a two-by-two inch gauze pad on a small saucer. Then, sprinkle 10 drops of peppermint oil on top. If you wish to take advantage of cold therapy, place the pad in the refrigerator for about half an hour. This also gives the oil time to fully soak into the fibers.

When you are ready, fold the gauze in half, and place it on your tooth for about 5 to 10 minutes. After you have removed the gauze, try not to eat or drink anything for about an hour. The residual oil will continue to work.

Using the above remedies along with your prescribed treatment can help ease any discomfort and keep your tooth from becoming infected. However, if you have any questions or start having increased pain and swelling, contact dentists like David B Anderson, DDS, PC who perform root canals so they can advise you on what needs to be done.