Do Home Remedies For a Toothache Really Work?

Suffering from sudden, jabbing tooth pain can quickly leave a person scouring the internet searching for miracle home remedies to ease pain and discomfort until a dentist can see you.

Certain friends or relatives may swear by a home remedy that once worked for them. However, if you're experiencing tooth pain, it's more than likely your body's way of telling you that something is amiss internally that requires more attention than clove oil and a cotton ball.

Let's dive into a few home remedies that may help you temporarily manage tooth pain at home until your dentist can see you.

Temporarily Managing Tooth Pain At Home 

No home remedy for tooth pain is scientifically proven to ease your tooth pain with long-term results. The only way to successfully treat a toothache is to see your dentist so the tooth can be appropriately diagnosed and fixed. 

Even so, many people believe in the power of alternative healing and remedies for reasons like:

• Fear of the dentist and dental anxiety.
• Belief in natural remedies and homeopathic treatments.
• Not having dental insurance.
• Not having money to cover unexpected dental expenses. 

Temporary Tooth Pain Remedies To Try 

The most successful home remedies for toothaches have been around for generations and may even be suggested to you by a grandparent who swears by them. Some of the more common remedies include:

Clove Oil

Apply a drop or two of clove oil onto a cotton ball and apply it directly to the throbbing tooth to numb the affected area. 

Does it work?

While clove oil may successfully numb an area temporarily, the short-term relief you feel will only last for a few minutes. Clove oil can also make the pain worse if it comes into contact with other sensitive areas of your mouth your tongue. 

Peppermint Tea Bags

Apply a chilled tea bag directly to the throbbing area, keeping the bag applied for at least 20 minutes. Peppermint has numbing properties similar to cloves. 

Does it work?

The numbness you experience from applying a tea bag may work temporarily. However, as soon as you remove the tea bag, the pain will return. 

Salt Water Rinse

Mix a teaspoon of salt with warm water to create a liquid, and rinse your mouth with the solution for 30 seconds, spitting the rinse out afterward. 

Does it work?

Saltwater rinses are great for cleaning out infected areas, loosening debris, and eliminating bacteria in your mouth. While it's not a long-term solution for tooth pain, it may provide you with some much-needed temporary relief. 

Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse

Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water, and use the mixture to rinse your mouth for 30 seconds, spitting the rinse out afterward. If ingested, it can cause stomach or intestinal problems. 

Does it work?

Much like a saltwater rinse, hydrogen peroxide helps kill bacteria that may be causing inflammation and tooth pain. 

Vanilla Extract

Apply a small amount of extract to your fingertip and rub the affected tooth and gum area, or apply a small amount of extract to a cotton ball and place it on the tooth that's causing you discomfort. 

Does it work?

Alcohol is one of the active ingredients in vanilla extract, and as such, it acts as a numbing agent. While vanilla extract can offer temporary relief, it's not a long-term solution for tooth pain. 

Managing Toothache Pain at Home is Only a Temporary Solution

Regardless of how you attempt to find temporary pain relief from a toothache, remember that your ultimate goal should always be to have the underlying cause diagnosed by a dentist. While your pain may go away temporarily, more severe concerns demand professional help. If you have a cavity, an abscess, or gum disease, your tooth will need to be appropriately evaluated and treated by a dentist to regain long-term comfort.  

Contact Your Dentist At the First Sign of Persistent Pain 

Putting off a dental appointment for tooth pain may only lead to the problem growing and ultimately requiring more invasive treatment.

For this reason, we always recommend scheduling an exam at the first signs of any persistent pain. If you're suffering from a sudden toothache, contact Elite Dental & Denture PC to schedule an appointment.