A toothache is never fun and always seems to happen at the most inconvenient times. If you’re suffering from sudden dental pain, your first step should always be to call your dentist ASAP. But if it’s the middle of the night or you are waiting for your appointment, you need relief now.

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Safe & Natural Home Remedies

Here is a guide to safe, effective home remedies to soothe your pain.

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Dental Myths: What NOT To Do

When you are in agonizing pain, it is tempting to try anything you read online. However, please absolutely avoid these dangerous internet myths:

If your toothache is accompanied by a high fever, swelling in your face or neck, or trouble breathing and swallowing, skip the home remedies and head to an urgent care clinic or emergency room immediately.

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful antibacterial agent that can help kill the bacteria causing your toothache and reduce painful inflammation. How to use it safely: Mix equal parts of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water. Swish the solution in your mouth for 30 seconds, then spit it out entirely. Do not swallow it. Rinse your mouth with plain water afterward.

Peppermint leaves contain menthol, which naturally numbs sensitive areas and cools inflamed gums. How to use it safely: Steep a peppermint tea bag in boiling water, then let it cool down completely (you can put it in the freezer to speed this up). Use the cool tea as a swishing mouthwash, or gently press the cooled tea bag directly against the aching tooth.

Baking soda has alkaline properties that neutralize acidic bacteria in your mouth, which can relieve the throbbing pressure of an infection. How to use it safely: Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda into a small glass of warm water and use it as a rinse. Alternatively, mix a tiny bit of water with baking soda to form a paste and gently dab it onto the sore gum.

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Mouthwash Myths That Make Pain Worse

Do not put these common household items on an aching tooth!

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1/2 teaspoon of table salt
• 1 glass of warm water

What to do:

1. Step 1: Mix the salt into the warm water until completely dissolved.
2. Step 2: Swish the solution gently in your mouth for 30 seconds, focusing on the infected area.
3. Step 3: Spit it out. Repeat as necessary to reduce inflammation and wash away irritating debris.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 teaspoon of pure, food-grade aloe vera gel

What to do:

1. Step 1: Ensure you have 100% pure aloe vera meant for oral/internal use (not sunburn gel with lidocaine).
2. Step 2: Use a clean cotton swab to gently apply the gel directly to the sore gum area.
3. Step 3: Leave it on to allow its natural antibacterial and soothing properties to calm the irritation.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 peppermint tea bag
• Hot water

What to do:

1. Step 1: Steep the tea bag in hot water for a few minutes.
2. Step 2: Remove the tea bag and place it in the freezer for a few minutes until it is comfortably cool.
3. Step 3: Apply the cool tea bag directly to the aching tooth. The menthol in peppermint acts as a mild, safe numbing agent.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 2 drops of clove essential oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of carrier oil (like olive or coconut oil)
• A cotton swab

What to do:

1. Step 1: Dilute the powerful clove oil into the carrier oil to prevent gum irritation.
2. Step 2: Dip the cotton swab into the diluted mixture.
3. Step 3: Gently dab it onto the painful tooth. Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural and highly effective anesthetic.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• Ice cubes in a plastic bag (or a bag of frozen vegetables)
• A clean towel

What to do:

1. Step 1: Wrap the ice pack in the towel so the extreme cold isn’t resting directly on your skin.
2. Step 2: Hold the compress against your cheek over the painful area for 15-20 minutes.
3. Step 3: The cold will constrict blood vessels, effectively numbing the pain and reducing severe facial swelling.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/2 glass of warm water

What to do:

1. Step 1: Mix the baking soda into the warm water until dissolved.
2. Step 2: Swish the mixture gently in your mouth to neutralize acidic bacteria that irritate exposed nerves.
3. Step 3: Spit the mixture out. This is a much safer alternative to dangerous acidic vinegars.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 fresh garlic clove
• A pinch of salt

What to do:

1. Step 1: Crush the garlic clove to release allicin, an oily liquid that acts as a natural disease fighter.
2. Step 2: Mix in a tiny pinch of salt to form a paste.
3. Step 3: Carefully dab the paste onto the affected tooth. Do not leave it on the soft gums for too long to avoid irritation.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• Pure vanilla extract (must contain alcohol, not imitation)
• A cotton swab

What to do:

1. Step 1: Dab a small amount of pure vanilla extract onto a clean cotton swab.
2. Step 2: Apply it directly to the aching tooth.
3. Step 3: The alcohol in the extract will help numb the pain, while the antioxidants in vanilla promote healing.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
• Water

What to do:

1. Step 1: Mix equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water.
2. Step 2: Swish the solution gently in your mouth for 30 seconds to kill bacteria and reduce plaque.
3. Step 3: SPIT IT OUT COMPLETELY. Never swallow hydrogen peroxide. Rinse with plain water afterward.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen

What to do:

1. Step 1: Check the package instructions for proper dosing.
2. Step 2: Swallow the pill with water.
3. Step 3: Never crush pills and rub them into your gums. Swallow them whole so they can enter your bloodstream to safely reduce deep inflammation.

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Ingredients To Strictly Avoid

While some websites recommend harsh kitchen ingredients for toothaches, dentists strongly warn against them. Avoid putting these on your teeth:

If you suspect you have an abscessed tooth, it is critical to remember that dental infections can spread rapidly. Your teeth are located dangerously close to your brain, airway, and major blood vessels.

You need to get in touch with a dentist immediately if you see signs of an infection developing. Trying to tough it out can lead to severe health complications that will end up costing far more money—and causing far more suffering—than a prompt dental visit.

🦠 What is the main cause of a toothache?

🔔 What are the symptoms of a toothache?

🔍 How do I know if my tooth is abscessed?

We hope this Emergency Toothache Relief guide was useful for you. Feel free to discuss your thoughts or share your own experiences in the comments section below!

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