Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsClove Oil CompressGarlicPeppermint OilApple Cider VinegarTurmericWhite Willow BarkFeverfewBaking SodaCinnamonCoconut OilCayenne PepperVanilla ExtractGreen TeaHoneyOregano OilTea Tree OilEchinaceaSalt WaterSafetyFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Clove Oil Compress
Garlic
Peppermint Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar
Turmeric
White Willow Bark
Feverfew
Baking Soda
Cinnamon
Coconut Oil
Cayenne Pepper
Vanilla Extract
Green Tea
Honey
Oregano Oil
Tea Tree Oil
Echinacea
Salt Water
Safety
FAQ
Home toothache remedies can offer some relief when you’re trying to stoptooth painfast. They may ease a throbbing ache (or a sharp stabbing) until you can see a dentist for professional care of your tooth decay, gum disease,tooth abscess, or an impacted tooth.
Tooth pain, however, can also be connected to another diagnosis, so it may be important to see your healthcare provider. Dental health issues have been associated withdiabetes,liver disease,Alzheimer’s disease,arthritis,cancer, and more.You also may need to seek immediate care if your tooth symptoms are part of a broader accident or sports injury.
This article offers tips on 18 home remedies to try to ease toothache pain. Although scientific support for home remedies is limited, they may help get rid of toothache pain. They range from a simple cold compress to soothe the tooth and jaw, to common herbs and medicinal plants.
Peter Dazeley / Getty Images
An oil said to possess pain relief properties,clove oilhas long been used as a folk remedy for toothache. It contains a natural pain reliever calledeugenol.
In a survey published inComplementary Therapies in Medicinein 2017, researchers surveyed practicing dentists in Germany and found that clove was one of the most commonly recommended plant extracts.
That said, there is no compelling evidence of its benefits.Some proponents suggest dipping a cotton ball in one drop of pure clove oil that has been diluted in one teaspoon of olive oil and placing the compress beside the tooth. But it’s highly toxic if ingested and can lead to liver damage, so don’t drink or swallow it.
A patch test should always be done to determine if you have a sensitivity to the oil. Applying it to the mouth can cause irritation, and gum damage is possible.Eugenol also affects blood clotting and may raise the risk of bleeding. It’s also not recommended for children and pregnant people.
Clove oil can cause an allergic reaction. It also can cause lower blood sugar levels, so people living with diabetes should be careful with clove oil.
You can find out more about clove oil, but if you’re considering using it, it’s a good idea to consult your dentist or healthcare provider for guidance.
You can find out more about clove oil. But if you’re considering using it, or any other home remedy, consult your dentist or healthcare provider for guidance due to the potential for drug interactions or adverse effects.
Can Clove Oil Help With a Toothache?
Garlic is available as chewing gum, toothpaste, mouthwash, gels, and other forms used for dental care. Apart from basic oral hygiene, some studies suggest that it is effective in treatingperiodontitis(advanced gum disease) and other dental conditions.They include oral cancer and mouth sores.
This is becauseallicin, a compound in garlic, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can make garlic paste and use it to manage tooth and gum pain at home.
15 Remedies for Wisdom Tooth Pain Relief
Researchers are developing new products like peppermint lozenges to ease tooth pain after dental surgery, too.
Studies of apple cider vinegar suggest benefits in dental care, including dental plaque removal and the ability to reducegingivitis(gum disease) that leads to pain.Other uses include tooth whitening.
With its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties,apple cider vinegarcan kill toothache-causing bacteria and relieve pain. Simply dip a cotton ball in the vinegar and apply to the achy area.
Mouthwash or gels made withturmericcan be used to reduce gum inflammation and related tooth pain.You can buy a turmeric product or apply turmeric paste.
How to Get Rid of Gingivitis Without a Dentist
White willow barkcontainssalicin, a compound similar to acetylsalicylic acid used in aspirin. It can be applied to the gums as a paste to relieve pain.However, it comes with some of the cautions that apply to aspirin use, including that it shouldn’t be used in children.
Feverfew is also known as the bachelor’s buttons flower. It has antiseptic properties and as a tea, is sometimes used for toothache. Although there’s no robust evidence to suggest it’s effective, neither are there serious side effects, though its use should be avoided in pregnant people.
Dietary Supplements in the United States
Mix 2 teaspoons of baking soda with lukewarm water, swish it around your mouth for about 30 seconds, then spit it out.
Is Brushing Teeth With Baking Soda Safe for Whitening Teeth?
Cinnamon has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies find it can help prevent cavities (and the pain that comes with them) along with reducing the risk of fungal infection.
Coconut oil can help remove pain due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. In traditionalAyurvedic medicine, swishing around 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in the mouth for 10 to 20 minutes (called oil pulling) is believed to reduce bacteria in the mouth and improve oral health.
Results are mixed, but some studies found benefits when people rinsed twice a day for seven days.Try swishing 1 tablespoon of coconut oil around your mouth for about 30 seconds, then spit it out.
Benefits and Side Effects of Oil Pulling
Cayenne pepperis a great source of capsaicin, a compound that blocks the sensation of pain from traveling between your brain and nerves. There’s some evidence for its use in tooth pain.
Try mixing 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper with 1/2 cup of coconut oil, swish it around your mouth, then spit it out.
Vanilla extract has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, as well as analgesic effects for pain relief. It can be used to ease toothache while its antimicrobial action works to kill bacteria.
Dab a cotton ball in vanilla extract, then apply it to the ache to clean the area and relieve pain.
Green tea containspolyphenolscalled tannins that reduce inflammation. Green tea mouthwash also has been shown to limit bacteria growth that leads to dental plaque and bad breath.
Try heating a green tea bag in water as though you are making tea, cooling the tea bag off in the fridge, then applying it to your achy tooth to ease pain and swelling.
Oregano oil is a natural antiseptic sometimes used to prevent tooth decay, and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help relieve pain. Studies of oral gel made withoreganoconfirm its antimicrobial properties and suggest a role in preventing dental infection.
Oregano oil is very concentrated, so you don’t need a lot. Simply apply a small amount to a Q-tip and apply it to the ache.
Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making it effective for relieving pain and healing infection. It is considered safe to use, although more research on its benefits is needed.
You can apply a few drops of tea tree oil onto your achy tooth with a cotton swab as needed to relieve pain.
Echinaceahas been used in Native American traditional medicine for a host of reasons, including toothache. Studies confirm its antibacterial benefits when used to limit the severity of gum disease and prevent cavities.
You can try making echinacea tea and applying it to your toothache for relief.
Echinacea: Everything You Need to Know
Saltwater Rinse for Gums and Teeth: Using a Saline Solution
Risks of Home Remedies for Toothache
At-home and herbal remedies can have side effects, as is the case with clove oil. Vinegar and baking soda may cause burns, for instance. Echinacea can cause digestive issues, like nausea.
Feverfew is among the herbal remedies used most often in adult dental patients, but it can interfere with blood clotting. So can garlic, another commonly used remedy.Essential oils such as oregano, cinnamon, and tea tree oils should be used only in extremely small amounts and shouldn’t be ingested.
Speak with your healthcare provider if you’re considering trying any natural or home remedy to ensure that they’re safe for you to use.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
The American Dental Association recommends seeing a professional immediately for all emergencies that can cause toothache pain, including:
All other toothaches should be evaluated for a proper diagnosis. Keep in mind that prompt care can prevent the loss of a tooth. It also may lead to treatment for a different health condition, like diabetes. While it may be tempting to try a natural or home remedy (or wait to see if your toothache improves), you shouldn’t self-treat or avoid or delay standard care.
Preventing a ToothacheCareful oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing, can help you to prevent a toothache. Other practices that can protect your teeth include:Never use them as tools, like opening a food package.Always wear a mouth guard when playing sports.Don’t chew hard foods, like popcorn kernels.
Preventing a Toothache
Careful oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing, can help you to prevent a toothache. Other practices that can protect your teeth include:Never use them as tools, like opening a food package.Always wear a mouth guard when playing sports.Don’t chew hard foods, like popcorn kernels.
Careful oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing, can help you to prevent a toothache. Other practices that can protect your teeth include:
Oral Hygiene Tips
Summary
Toothache pain is hard to ignore, but you can’t always get to a dental care professional right away. You can treat your toothache with home remedies made from common herbs, oils, and salt. In some cases, there’s research evidence to suggest benefits in preventing inflammation and infection.
Keep in mind that herbs and supplements can have side effects, too. Nor should they be considered definitive care. It’s important to seek treatment for your tooth and understand oral health conditions like gingivitis that can lead to tooth pain.
It’s also possible that your tooth pain is a symptom of a broader health issue, like diabetes or liver disease, that needs diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cayenne pepper contains a compound called capsaicin that blocks pain signals between your brain and nerves. Try dabbing a little cayenne pepper onto the ache, or mix 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper with 1/2 cup of coconut oil, swish it around your mouth, then spit it out.
To treat toothache pain quickly, you will need to reduce swelling and keep the area clean. Try applying apple cider vinegar, baking soda, vanilla extract, tea tree oil, or another home remedy with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties to the affected area as needed.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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