Can’t Sleep Because of Tooth Pain? Try 6 Best Home Remedies for Tooth Pain Relief

Introduction

A toothache can occur without warning and make it difficult to eat, write, talk, or even sleep. The pain can be slight and irritating or stabbing and intense, depending on the cause. Some of the most common causes of tooth pain are cavity, gum disease, a dental infection, a cracked tooth, tooth sensitivity, or food caught between the teeth. A toothache is always best treated by a dentist; however, there are some home remedies for tooth pain relief to alleviate the pain until you can get the dental care you need.

Ease pain, reduce swelling and kill bacteria briefly with some simple home remedies for tooth pain relief but remember that these remedies can only alleviate tooth pain temporarily. They will not address the root of the issue, like a cavity, tooth abscess or gum infection.

The best way to avoid getting toothaches is to maintain good oral health and dental hygiene. You can help prevent future problems with your teeth and gums by brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, limiting foods and drinks that contain sugar, and having regular check-ups with your dentist(1)(2).

In this article, you will learn the most effective home remedies for tooth pain relief, when these remedies may be helpful and when dental treatment is necessary. With these easy tips, you can help lessen tooth pain without endangering your teeth and ensure you’re taking better care of all your dental needs and keeping your smile healthy.

1) Salt Water Rinse for Pain Relief

One of the simplest and most effective home remedies for tooth pain relief is a salt water rinse. It is a longstanding remedy for oral hygiene, minimizing bacteria, calming any gum irritation, and providing temporary relief from toothache. It doesn’t treat cavities, tooth decay, or a tooth abscess, but it can keep your toothache from being too painful until you get to the dentist.

How to Prepare a Salt Water Rinse

It’s easy to make a salt water rinse.

• Add half a teaspoon of salt to 1 glass of warm water.
• Stir until dissolved.
• Sip in the solution.
• Swirl around in your mouth for approximately 30 seconds.
• Then spit it out.

Avoid drinking the mixture. This can be repeated a couple of times daily as necessary.

Benefits of Using a Salt Water Rinse

Salt is a natural disinfectant and is good for reducing harmful bacteria in the mouth. Gargling with warm salt water can help clean the teeth for bits of food that are trapped there, as well as to ease inflammation and swelling of the gums. It may also aid in healing small mouth sores or sore gum tissue which will enhance oral health.

Rinsing with warm salt water is one of the best home remedies for tooth pain relief. It temporarily alleviates toothache symptoms, soothes gum irritation, freshens the breath, and keeps the mouth clean. When your toothache is due to slight gum inflammation or food stuck between your teeth, it is particularly useful. With proper oral hygiene–brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing every day–it helps to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

2) Cold Compress to Reduce Swelling

If the toothache is due to an injury, swelling, or inflammation, a cold compress is one of the best home remedies for tooth pain relief. A cold object placed on the outside of the cheek may numb the area and decrease the pain and swelling. It will not cure the cause of the tooth pain, but it will help alleviate the discomfort until you visit the dentist for diagnosis and treatment.

How to Use a Cold Compress

• Place an ice pack or frozen veggies in a clean towel.
• Avoid direct contact of ice on the skin, since this may irritate it.
• Place the cold compress on the outside of the cheek near the sore tooth for 15-20 minutes.
• Can be repeated as often as every few hours if desired.

When a Cold Compress Is Helpful?

The affected area’s blood vessels constrict in cold temperatures, which limits the amount of blood flowing into and through the area and decreases swelling. This also anesthetises the nerves that surround the painful tooth and allows the pain to feel less intense. A cold compress is especially beneficial and known as one of the best home remedies for tooth pain relief if the gums are swollen, a tooth has a crack, or if the face swells due to a dental issue.

A cold compress is most effective when you have a toothache and swelling as a result of having an injury, dental treatment, or gum inflammation. It may also alleviate discomfort caused by a tooth abscess until you get to your dentist. If, though, your pain is primarily due to tooth sensitivity, the cold temperatures can exacerbate the pain.

3) Clove Oil for Toothache Relief

Clove oil is one of the oldest and most popular home remedies for tooth pain relief. It has the mild pain relieving, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from a natural compound called eugenol. Clove oil can help to temporarily dull the area and ease tooth pain(3).

Ways to Use Clove Oil Safely

• Mix 1 or 2 drops of clove oil in a small amount of another oil, like olive or coconut oil.
• Take a clean cotton ball or cotton swab and dip it in the solution, and gently put it in the sore area on the tooth and gums for a few minutes.
• Do not swallow the oil, and if it gets too strong, rinse your mouth out.

Benefits of Clove Oil

The eugenol in clove oil serves as a natural anesthetic that will temporarily numb the nerves around the painful tooth. It can also help to alleviate inflammation and to inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth, offering some immediate relief and maintaining oral health.

Clove oil is one of the best home remedies for tooth pain relief  because it can help ease a toothache, soothe swollen gums, and help alleviate discomfort from minor dental irritation. A very versatile and convenient tool to use at home and can be useful until you can go to a dentist for proper care.

Precautions

Concentrated clove oil can irritate the gums or mouth, and should always be used in small quantities. Not for use on wide open wounds or for extended periods of time. If you are experiencing a toothache that is a lot more than a day or two, or if there is swelling or fever associated with a dental infection, please get in touch with the dentist’s clinic as soon as possible.

4) Garlic As a Natural Antibacterial Remedy

The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of garlic have made it a valuable part of traditional medicine for centuries. Using it is one of the best home remedies for tooth pain relief. It has a substance called allicin, which could help combat harmful bacteria in the mouth and help relieve pain temporarily. While garlic is one of the home remedies for tooth pain relief, it cannot cure the underlying causes of any dental issues like tooth decay, gum disease, or tooth abscess.

How to Use Garlic Safely

• Crush one fresh clove of garlic to make a paste.
• Let it sit for a minute to allow the allicin to be released.
• Apply a small amount gently on the painful tooth/gum area for a few minutes.
• Then rinse with warm water.
• A small pinch of salt is also added to crushed garlic.
• Remove and rinse with water if it burns or causes irritation.

Benefits of Garlic

Fresh garlic contains allicin, which is a natural compound with antibacterial properties that is released when the garlic is crushed or chopped. Allicin can decrease the amount of bacteria that cause dental infections, and might provide temporary relief from pain and inflammation around the infected tooth. This can help to temporarily relieve pain and promote oral health.

Garlic can also ease toothache and fight bacteria, inflammation, and temporarily alleviate discomfort from minor dental issues. It is a natural and cheap remedy that many people already have in their homes.

Precautions

Even though garlic is one of the best home remedies for tooth pain relief, it should only be used as a temporary remedy. Excessive amounts of garlic or prolonged exposure to garlic on the gums can result in irritation or burns to the soft tissues of the mouth. When tooth pain is severe, persistent or accompanied by swelling, fever, pus, or other signs of dental infection, you should seek dental care as soon as possible.

5) Peppermint Tea Bags for Soothing Pain

Peppermint tea bags are a natural and simple remedy to relieve tooth pain at home that can be beneficial in relieving minor toothaches and sore gums. Peppermint has naturally occurring compounds that help to provide a cooling effect and some temporary relief from pain, such as menthol.

How to Use a Peppermint Tea Bag

As it is one of the best home remedies for tooth pain relief, follow the proper way to use it.

• Steep a peppermint tea bag in hot water for a few minutes.
• Then allow it to cool until it is warm to give it a cool effect.
• Refrigerate for a few minutes.
• Put on the sore tooth or swollen gum and leave in place for 10 to 15 minutes.
• This can be repeated a couple of times throughout the day, as required.

Benefits of Peppermint Tea Bags

Peppermint is a mild anti-inflammatory and antibacterial that may soothe irritated gums and alleviate some minor discomfort. Menthol’s cooling effect temporarily dulls the painful area, leaving it more comfortable. Peppermint can also leave your breath smelling fresh and can aid in maintaining a healthy mouth.

A peppermint tea bag can temporarily numb the pain from your tooth, help to decrease mild gum swelling, and help to soothe any irritated tissues in the mouth. It’s simple, low-cost and may be a good treatment if your teeth are not too painful, but it still helps to keep you in good dental health.

6) Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse (When Appropriate)

If the pain in your tooth is caused by bacteria or if the gums are slightly inflamed or infected, a hydrogen peroxide rinse might help ease the pain. It is one of the best home remedies for tooth pain relief. The antibacterial properties of hydrogen peroxide can help to eliminate harmful bacteria in the mouth, clean the affected areas and improve oral health. But it’s only safe when use properly and is not for all people. It’s similar to other home remedies for tooth pain relief, in that it only helps relieve the pain for the short term and doesn’t cure the condition.

How to Use It Safely

• Use 3% hydrogen peroxide and dilute with an equal amount of clean water before using as a mouthwash.
• Gently swish around in your mouth for 30 seconds or so.
• And then spit it out.

Hydrogen peroxide is poisonous if swallowed, so NEVER drink it! Rinse mouth after brushing, if desired.

Benefits of a Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse

Hydrogen peroxide is effective at killing some of the bacteria that may lead to gum disease, plaque, and minor dental infections. That’s why it is one of the best home remedies for tooth pain relief. It can also help to alleviate gum swelling, calm the gums, and keep the mouth clean. This can help to alleviate some of the pain and promote healing of a minor gum irritation.

A hydrogen peroxide rinse can be used to reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth, freshen up bad breath, help to temporarily relieve tooth pain, and may help to reduce mild gum swelling when used correctly. It may also help maintain good oral health if used now and then as part of a healthy oral hygiene routine.

When it’s Not Advisable

Although it’s one of the home remedies for tooth pain relief, excessive use of hydrogen peroxide can cause gum irritation and soft tissue irritation in the mouth. It should also be avoided by young children who may accidentally swallow it. Do not use hydrogen peroxide if it is accompanied by severe tooth pain, tooth abscess, or mouth sores that are so extensive that they bleed heavily. Rather, try to get dental treatment as early as possible(5).

Foods to Eat and Avoid In Tooth Pain

The foods you choose can make a big difference when you have a toothache. Certain foods can ease a painful area; others can make the pain and irritation of the tooth worse. The right foods can make it easier to be comfortable until dental care is provided. Eating a diet that’s good for your teeth can help heal toothaches, in addition to other home remedies for tooth pain relief.

Foods to Eat

Opt for soft, easy-to-chew foods that will not aggravate the sore tooth. These can be good choices: yogurt, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, soup, smoothies, bananas, applesauce and cooked vegetables. Water is also beneficial to dental care, as it helps keep the mouth clean and lubricated.

Foods to Avoid

Try to steer clear of foods that may aggravate tooth pain. Avoid hard foods such as nuts, popcorn, and ice, which can press down on the affected tooth. Avoid sugar, stay away from sticky candies, chewy candies, and sweets with a lot of sugar, as they can harbor bacteria that cause tooth decay and cavities. Other hot, cold, spicy, and/or acidic foods and beverages can also cause tooth sensitivity and discomfort. If you eat such foods, then no medications or home remedies for tooth pain relief will work(2).

Eat Carefully

Chew food on the opposite side of the painful tooth to keep pressure off of it. Take your time to eat; consider warm (not too hot or too cold) foods. Gently wash out your mouth after eating with either water or a saltwater rinse to clear the food particles from your mouth and keep your mouth clean.

Keep Up Good Oral Hygiene

If your tooth aches, keep brushing gently using fluoride toothpaste and flossing carefully to get rid of the food particles and plaque that have become trapped. While waiting for treatment, good oral hygiene will help prevent the problem from worsening.

Conclusion

Anyone who has suffered from a toothache knows how painful and irritating it can be, but there are a number of home remedies for tooth pain relief that can help alleviate the discomfort while you are waiting for a dentist to see you. Some of the simplest solutions can be helpful to relieve pain, swelling, and harmful bacteria, including a saltwater rinse, a cold compress, clove oil, garlic, peppermint tea bags, and a diluted hydrogen peroxide rinse. Soft foods and good oral hygiene will also help to keep your teeth and gums safe during this period.

It is important to note, however, that these home remedies for tooth pain relief only help to alleviate the symptoms, but not the cause of the tooth pain. Toothaches, cavities, gum disease, tooth abscesses, and cracks can cause a host of dental problems that need professional dental care to avoid worsening the situation.

To maintain good oral health, you need to brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste, floss every day, avoid excessive amounts of sugar in your diet or drinks, and get regular check-ups from your dentist. Seek immediate dental care if your toothache is severe, persists for over a couple of days, or you experience swelling, fever, or trouble swallowing(4).

In layman’s language, home remedies for tooth pain relief can be of great help for a duration, but not a permanent solution. The best way to keep your teeth, gums, and smile pain-free and strong is to take care of your teeth each day and see the dentist when necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/7/5/103
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653920327866#s0025
3. https://www.ijpbr.in/index.php/IJPBR/article/view/672
4. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10787-024-01631-8
5. https://www.nature.com/articles/4813423