Dental issues are no joke. One of the most unsettling experiences that can instantly derail your day is a toothache. The intense pain that accompanies tooth decay or an infection can make even the most mundane tasks unbearable.
Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which is released when the garlic is crushed, chopped, or chewed. Allicin has been shown to have potent antimicrobial properties, which can help combat the bacteria that often cause toothaches.
1. Peel and crush: Start by peeling a garlic clove and then crushing it to release the allicin. 2. Apply: Place the crushed garlic directly onto the affected area. Be careful; it will sting a bit at first. Its natural compounds, including allicin, may help reduce pain and inflammation. Some people add a pinch of salt to the crushed garlic for added antimicrobial properties.
Multiple studies corroborate the efficacy of garlic in dental care. A study in the "Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine" reported that garlic had comparable effects to that of antibiotics in fighting dental bacteria (Rahmani et al., 2015). Another research review published in "Pharmacognosy Reviews" validated the broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of garlic (Mikaili et al., 2013).