Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow to Use Clove OilEfficacySide EffectsContraindicationsAlternativesWhen to Call a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How to Use Clove Oil
Efficacy
Side Effects
Contraindications
Alternatives
When to Call a Provider
Clove oil is a natural remedy that has been used for centuries to treat toothaches. It is an essential oil derived from the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum) that contains a potent natural anesthetic calledeugenol. The oil derived from the clove stem contains the highest amount of eugenol, but the leaves and buds contain considerable amounts as well.
Clove oil is a natural alternative for treating mild mouth or tooth pain, but the scientific evidence for it is insufficient to replace seeing an oral healthcare provider for a toothache.Risks associated with using clove oil, include mouth sores and gum irritation. Poisoning can occur if clove oil is consumed.
This article will explain how clove oil is used for toothaches. It will describe the possible risks, side effects, and interactions associated with this highly fragrant essential oil.
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The Health Benefits of Cloves
How to Use Clove Oil for a Toothache
Cloves are popular in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine where they are commonly used to treat toothache. Today, the active ingredient (eugenol) is commercially used in a temporary filling cement called zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE).
When used in herbal medicine, clove oil is diluted with a neutral carrier oil to prevent irritation. The oil should never be applied to the gums undiluted.
To use clove oil for a toothache:
If you have more than one area of pain after a dental procedure, you can add a few drops of clove oil to 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and swirl it in your mouth to coat. Be careful not to swallow.
Some people apply ground cloves directly to their gums. However, the taste is not very pleasant, and it can cause a burning sensation if there are any cuts in your mouth.
Should You Use Clove Oil?The science behind using clove oil for dental problems is insufficient. Do not use clove oil or any other natural product as a substitute for dental care. If a toothache is not getting better or is getting worse, it’s important to seek treatment from a dentist.
Should You Use Clove Oil?
The science behind using clove oil for dental problems is insufficient. Do not use clove oil or any other natural product as a substitute for dental care. If a toothache is not getting better or is getting worse, it’s important to seek treatment from a dentist.
Benefits and Side Effects of Oil Pulling
Is It Effective?
Eugenol is the chemical that gives clove its spicy scent and pungent flavor. Depending on the source of the cloves oil (stem, bud, leaves), the concentration of eugenol can range anywhere from 60% to 92%.
Even so, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not believe that this over-the-counter remedy is effective for treating tooth pain. It downgraded it from a Category 1 drug (meaning one that is generally regarded as safe and effective) to a Category 3 drug (meaning that there is insufficient data to classify the drug).
Clove oil may offer short-term relief of tooth pain but does not treat the underlying cause (such as tooth decay, tooth fracture, or an abscess).
What Causes Tooth Pain?
Side Effects of Clove Oil
Clove oil is considered safe if used appropriately, but it can be toxic if you use too much or use it too often.
Common side effects of clove oil include:
You should never drink clove oil as it can cause liver damage,esophageal stenosis(the narrowing of the feeding tube), and other severe complications.
Allergic reactions affect roughly 2% of clove oil users. Most cases are mild and short-lived. Symptoms include a local rash, itching, swelling, and scratchy throat. Clove oil is generally not associated with a severe, whole-body allergic reaction known asanaphylaxis.
Clove Oil Contraindications
There are certain people who should not use clove oil. According to the National Institutes of Health, contraindications for clove oil include:
Why You Might Need to Avoid Herbal Supplements Before Surgery
Other Treatments for Toothache
Clove oil has long been a tried-and-true remedy for toothache, but it’s not for everyone. If you can’t tolerate the taste or experience an allergic reaction or side effects, there are some other ways to treat tooth pain at home:
Natural Ways to Treat a Toothache
When to Call a Healthcare Provider
Clove oil can be highly toxic if ingestion, leading to poisoning and even death. Doses as little as 10 to 30 milliliters (roughly 2 teaspoons to 2 tablespoons) can cause decreased consciousness or coma within hours and liver injury within 12 to 24 hours.
If someone has consumed clove oil, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 immediately even if there are no obvious symptoms.
Call 911 or rush to the nearest emergency room if someone has overt signs of clove oil poisoning, including:
To avoid accidental poisoning, keep clove oil well out of the reach of children and pets.
Summary
Clove oil has been used for centuries to treat tooth pain. Dabbing a little diluted oil on the gums may help ease pain and inflammation.
While eugenol, the active ingredient in clove oil, has long been used in Eastern and Western medicine, the FDA does not believe that the evidence supporting its use is strong. Clove oil should not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have bleeding a disorder, or have impending surgery. Children should also avoid clove oil.
How to Treat Sore Gums
5 SourcesVerywell 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.MedlinePlus.Clove.National Institutes of Health.Eugenol.Taberner-vallverdú M, Nazir M, Sánchez-garcés MÁ, Gay-escoda C.Efficacy of different methods used for dry socket management: A systematic review.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2015;20(5):e633-9. doi:10.4317/medoral.20589National Institutes of Health.Clove.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eugenol (clove oil).
5 Sources
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.MedlinePlus.Clove.National Institutes of Health.Eugenol.Taberner-vallverdú M, Nazir M, Sánchez-garcés MÁ, Gay-escoda C.Efficacy of different methods used for dry socket management: A systematic review.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2015;20(5):e633-9. doi:10.4317/medoral.20589National Institutes of Health.Clove.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eugenol (clove oil).
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.
MedlinePlus.Clove.National Institutes of Health.Eugenol.Taberner-vallverdú M, Nazir M, Sánchez-garcés MÁ, Gay-escoda C.Efficacy of different methods used for dry socket management: A systematic review.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2015;20(5):e633-9. doi:10.4317/medoral.20589National Institutes of Health.Clove.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eugenol (clove oil).
MedlinePlus.Clove.
National Institutes of Health.Eugenol.
Taberner-vallverdú M, Nazir M, Sánchez-garcés MÁ, Gay-escoda C.Efficacy of different methods used for dry socket management: A systematic review.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2015;20(5):e633-9. doi:10.4317/medoral.20589
National Institutes of Health.Clove.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eugenol (clove oil).
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