18 At-Home Remedies for Toothache Pain

Home toothache remedies can offer some relief when you're trying to stop tooth pain fast. 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 with diabetes, 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.

Clove Oil Compress

An oil said to possess pain relief properties, clove oil has long been used as a folk remedy for toothache. It contains a natural pain reliever called eugenol.

In a survey published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine in 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.

Garlic

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 treating periodontitis (advanced gum disease) and other dental conditions. They include oral cancer and mouth sores.

This is because allicin, 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.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil may help ease toothache pain. It also contains antibacterial properties that may promote dental health and prevent cavities. Some people will treat toothache by applying a wet peppermint tea bag to the affected tooth and gum.

Researchers are developing new products like peppermint lozenges to ease tooth pain after dental surgery, too.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Studies of apple cider vinegar suggest benefits in dental care, including dental plaque removal and the ability to reduce gingivitis (gum disease) that leads to pain. Other uses include tooth whitening.

With its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, apple cider vinegar can kill toothache-causing bacteria and relieve pain. Simply dip a cotton ball in the vinegar and apply to the achy area.

Turmeric

Mouthwash or gels made with turmeric can be used to reduce gum inflammation and related tooth pain. You can buy a turmeric product or apply turmeric paste.

White Willow Bark

White willow bark contains salicin, 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

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.

Baking Soda

Baking soda has anti-inflammatory properties that can relieve pain and swelling and anti-bacterial properties that can clean the infected area. It's an alkaline that could limit bacteria by neutralizing acids in the mouth.

Mix 2 teaspoons of baking soda with lukewarm water, swish it around your mouth for about 30 seconds, then spit it out.

Cinnamon

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.

You can try chewing or sucking on a cinnamon stick, or making a paste by mixing 1 teaspoon of cinnamon with 5 teaspoons of honey and applying it to the achy area.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can help remove pain due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. In traditional Ayurvedic 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.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is 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

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

Green tea contains polyphenols called 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.

Honey

Honey has powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Relieve toothache pain and swelling by dabbing honey onto the achy area as needed.

Propolis, a resin produced by honeybees, also may be used. It has strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, with some evidence for its use in treating gingivitis pain. More study is needed, though, especially because of the variables among honeybees and honey production.

Oregano Oil

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 with oregano confirm 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

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.

Echinacea

Echinacea has 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.

Salt Water

Saline (salt water) can reduce inflammation and kill toothache-causing bacteria. Make a saltwater rinse by combining 1 teaspoon of salt into a cup of water (8 ounces), swish it around your mouth, and then spit it out.

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:

• Cracked teeth
• Foreign objects that are stuck
• A knocked out or broken tooth

For tooth pain, the ADA advises that you rinse the mouth with warm water and, if possible, use dental floss to remove debris from between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on your tooth or nearby gums. Then see a dentist as soon as possible.

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.

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.