Toothache? 10 Foods That Can Help Relieve the Pain.

Introduction: I believe everyone has heard the saying: "A toothache isn't a disease, but it can feel like it's killing you." Many people have been tormented by toothaches. When a toothache strikes, it often makes food tasteless and sleep impossible, leaving one to rely on painkillers for relief. However, taking too many painkillers is not only bad for your health but can also lead to your body developing a resistance to the medication. In fact, you can also alleviate toothaches through diet. Below, we will introduce 10 foods that are effective in relieving toothaches.

1. Banana

Bananas are a beneficial fruit rich in starch. They are sweet in flavor and cold in nature, capable of clearing heat and moistening the intestines, and promoting intestinal peristalsis. However, they are not suitable for those with a weak spleen and tendency to have loose stools. According to the principle of "treating heat with cold," they are most suitable for people with "heatiness." For toothaches caused by "heatiness," eating a banana may help. Moreover, bananas are high in vitamin C, which helps maintain gum health. A severe deficiency can make gums fragile, prone to disease, leading to symptoms like swollen gums, bleeding, loose teeth, or even tooth loss.

Bananas are rich in potassium and magnesium. Potassium helps prevent high blood pressure and muscle cramps, while magnesium has the effect of eliminating fatigue. Therefore, bananas are a top fruit choice for people with high blood pressure. Bananas also contain pantothenic acid and other components that act as the body's "happy hormones," reducing psychological stress and alleviating depression. Eating a banana before bed can also have a sedative effect. Dutch scientists believe that the banana is the most nutritious fruit that can bring a smile to your face. If that's true, let's all be happy!

Banana Smoothie

2. Onion

Onions contain prostaglandin A, which can reduce peripheral vascular resistance and blood viscosity, and can be used to lower blood pressure, refresh the mind, relieve stress, and prevent colds. Additionally, onions can remove oxygen free radicals from the body, enhance metabolism, fight aging, and prevent osteoporosis, making them a health food suitable for middle-aged and elderly people. The sulfur compounds in onions are powerful antibacterial ingredients. In vitro experiments have shown that onions can kill various bacteria, including *Streptococcus mutans*, which causes cavities, with fresh, raw onions being the most effective.

It is recommended to eat half a raw onion daily. This not only prevents cavities but also helps lower cholesterol, prevent heart disease, and boost immunity. When making a salad, you can add a few fresh onion slices; or, you can add some raw onion shreds to a burger or sandwich.

Black Pepper Onion Roasted Beef

3. Garlic

The sulfur compounds in garlic have strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting and killing various cocci, bacilli, fungi, and viruses, making it the most potent natural antibacterial plant discovered to date. Many people have experienced their once-healthy teeth becoming "sensitive" without warning. When eating cold, hot, sour, or sweet foods, or even brushing with cold water, their teeth can become sore and soft. This is medically known as "dentin hypersensitivity," commonly known as "sensitive teeth." Rubbing raw garlic on sensitive teeth for 2-3 minutes daily can alleviate the symptoms. When a toothache occurs, you can rub garlic oil on the aching tooth or place crushed garlic cloves around the aching tooth and gums. After a few minutes, the pain will gradually subside.

Garlic Flavored Enoki Mushrooms

4. Cheese

Cheese contains essential minerals for the human body such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and sodium. Due to the needs of cheese processing, calcium ions are added, increasing the calcium content, which is easily absorbed by the body. Every 100g of soft cheese can meet 30%-40% of the daily calcium requirement and 12%-20% of the daily phosphorus requirement. The main components of teeth are trace elements like calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and manganese. A lack of calcium can also lead to tooth damage, loosening, and loss. Moderate consumption of cheese or its products can increase the calcium density of teeth, strengthening their function. Cheese is rich in alkaline substances, which can inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Regularly eating cheese can increase the strength of the tooth enamel on the tooth surface, repair damage, and thus make teeth strong and healthy.

Cheese doesn't have to be eaten directly; it's also great as an ingredient in meals. Simple daily uses include pizza, salads, steamed fish, as a filling for burgers and sandwiches, or mixed with natto.

Sweet and Savory Cheese Pie

5. Tea

The fluoride in tea can combine with the hydroxyapatite unique to teeth, providing an acid-resistant and cavity-preventing effect. Tea has many benefits. The alkaline tea water can neutralize the pH value in the mouth, reducing the growth of oral bacteria and thus minimizing bacterial damage to teeth. The rich tea polyphenols in green tea have strong antioxidant properties, not only clearing free radicals and preventing cancer and cardiovascular diseases but also having a good preventive and therapeutic effect on some dental diseases. Additionally, catechins in teeth are natural enemies of *Streptococcus mutans* in the mouth. Drinking green tea regularly can freshen breath and also reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

A person needs to drink 1200-1500 ml of water daily. If drinking tea, about 800-1000 ml is appropriate. However, when drinking green tea, remember to drink it clear and not too strong, and it's best not to drink too much at night to avoid affecting sleep.

Spiced Tea Eggs