At-Home Remedies To Stop Tooth Pain Fast

Whether it’s sharp, dull, achy, or throbbing, tooth pain can disrupt your day, making it difficult to eat, talk, focus on your daily tasks, and sleep. Causes of tooth pain include cavities, gum disease, tooth sensitivity, an infection, or a cracked or chipped tooth. 

Finding immediate relief is a top priority when your tooth hurts. Fortunately, simple remedies can provide fast, much-needed relief for tooth pain while you wait for a dental appointment to address the underlying issue.

Home Remedies for Tooth Pain Relief

Home remedies using common household items offer quick and convenient ways to relieve tooth pain. These remedies may temporarily ease your discomfort, but they don’t address the root cause of tooth pain.

It's important to make an appointment with a dental professional to address the underlying cause and prevent it from worsening. 

Salt Water Rinse 

A warm salt water rinse is a classic remedy for tooth pain. Salt has antibacterial properties that cleanse the mouth and reduce bacteria that cause dental plaque and cavities. It can also fight inflammation and promote healing. Many dentists recommend salt water rinses following oral surgery and wisdom teeth extractions.

To make a saltwater rinse, dissolve one teaspoon (tsp) of salt in four cups of warm water. Gently swish a small amount of the solution around your mouth for one to two minutes before spitting it out. Repeat up to six times a day for relief.

Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective antibacterial agent that can reduce oral inflammation and plaque buildup on teeth. Swishing hydrogen peroxide in your mouth kills bacteria associated with cavities, gum disease, and oral infections.

Bonus: Hydrogen peroxide can also help whiten teeth and remove stubborn tooth stains. 

To make a hydrogen peroxide rinse, mix 3% hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water. A simple recipe is one cup of water and one cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Swish in your mouth for 30 seconds to one minute, spit it out, and rinse with plain water. Repeat up to three times daily.

Cold Compress

Applying a cold compress to your outer cheek can help numb the area and reduce tooth pain and swelling. Ice slows nerve pain signals to the brain, making pain feel less intense. It also constricts blood vessels, slowing blood flow to the affected area and reducing pain and swelling.

This is especially helpful for tooth pain that develops after a recent injury or infection and involves facial swelling or swollen gums. 

To use a cold compress, wrap a cold pack or ice cube in a thin, clean cloth and hold it over the affected area for 10 to 20 minutes. Repeat every few hours as needed.

Honey 

Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated gums and reduce tooth pain. Its natural enzymes fight oral bacteria and help reduce dental plaque, inflammation, and swelling that can contribute to sore gums and painful teeth.

To use honey for tooth pain, apply a small amount to the affected area using your fingertip or a clean cotton swab. You can also mix it with warm water and use it as a mouth rinse to ease tooth pain and heal sore or irritated gums. 

Peppermint Tea 

Peppermint has antibacterial properties that can help fight oral bacteria and prevent cavities. It also contains menthol, a natural compound with analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe tooth pain and reduce gum inflammation and swelling. 

Steep a peppermint tea bag in hot water, let it cool, sip and enjoy. Alternatively, place the damp, cooled tea bag directly on the painful area for a few minutes. The cooling sensation can provide temporary relief, and sipping the tea may help ease overall discomfort.

Natural Remedies for Tooth Pain Relief

Natural remedies for tooth pain have a long history of use. These remedies involve using plants with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic properties to soothe sore, achy gums and painful teeth.

Garlic 

A staple in kitchens worldwide, garlic may temporarily relieve tooth pain and protect against cavities and gum disease. Garlic contains allicin, an antibacterial compound that protects against bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Rinsing your mouth with garlic juice or placing crushed roasted garlic on a painful tooth can help reduce nerve activity and relieve tooth pain. 

Raw garlic can be harsh on the gums and may cause a burning sensation or irritation, so it’s best to use garlic juice or roasted garlic, which is milder on the gums, to soothe an achy tooth. 

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It can fight bacteria that often contribute to oral infections and tooth pain. Tea tree oil can also reduce inflammation and swelling, temporarily soothing an achy tooth. 

To use tea tree oil, dilute a few drops with a carrier oil, like coconut or olive oil, and apply a small amount to your painful tooth with a cotton ball or swab. You can also make a mouthwash by adding three drops of tea tree oil to a cup of water. Swish the solution in your mouth for 60 seconds twice daily.

Clove Oil 

Clove oil is one of the most popular natural remedies for tooth pain due to its numbing and antibacterial properties. It contains eugenol, a natural anesthetic that can numb the affected tooth and temporarily relieve pain. Eugenol also has antibacterial properties that may help combat bacteria contributing to cavities and tooth infections.

Dilute clove oil with a carrier oil like avocado, grapeseed, or coconut oil and apply a few drops to a cotton ball. Place it on the painful tooth or gently rub it on the gums to reduce pain and inflammation.

Spilanthol (Toothache Plant)

People have used Spilanthes acmella also known as the toothache plant, for centuries to ease tooth pain. The plant contains a compound called spilanthol, which has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anesthetic (pain-relieving) properties that can immediately relieve tooth pain. 

Chewing toothache plant flowers causes a tingling sensation that turns into a numbing sensation. You can rub the plant's flower or oil made from the plant directly on your sore tooth and gums for quick relief. You can also add a few drops of the oil to a glass of water and swish it around your mouth. 

Aloe Vera 

Aloe vera is best known for its skin health benefits, soothing sunburns and other irritations. The plant has antibacterial properties that kill and remove bacteria that cause tooth infections. Though research is limited, evidence suggests that gel from the aloe vera plant has anti-inflammatory properties that may soothe painful gums or irritation from an aching tooth. 

To use aloe vera gel for tooth pain, extract the gel directly from a plant leaf and apply a small amount to the affected area. Repeat up to three times daily. You can also purchase aloe vera gel over the counter at most drugstores.

Causes of Tooth Pain

Tooth pain is a common symptom. Over 40% of adults in the United States experienced tooth pain within the past year. There are many possible causes of tooth pain, including: 

• Tooth decay: Bacteria in your mouth produce acids when they come into contact with sugars and starches in foods and beverages. Over time, these acids erode tooth enamel, causing tooth decay and cavities. Untreated cavities can cause pain and infection. 
• Periodontal (gum) disease: Gum diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, develop when bacteria in the mouth produce plaque, a sticky film on tooth surfaces. Plaque buildup can inflame the gums and lead to gum disease. Symptoms include red, swollen, and tender gums, bleeding in the gums, sensitive teeth, and painful chewing. 
• Tooth sensitivity: Worn tooth enamel can make teeth sensitive and cause pain when you consume hot, cold, acidic, or sweet foods and beverages. 

Less common causes of tooth pain include: 

• Sinus infections: A sinus infection causes swelling in the sinus cavity that can cause pain in the teeth, particularly the upper back teeth. 
• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ): Issues with the TMJ, the muscles and joint that connect your jaw to your skull, can cause pain in the jaw, face, and teeth.
• Bruxism (teeth grinding): Chronic (long-term) tooth grinding or jaw clenching can wear down teeth and lead to pain and discomfort.

When To See a Dental Professional

Home remedies can offer quick, temporary relief from tooth pain but don’t address the underlying cause. Make an appointment to see a dental professional if you experience: 

• Tooth pain lasting more than two days 
• A severe toothache 
• Swelling in the gums, face, or jaw 
• A painful lump or discharge in your mouth 
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or opening your mouth 
• Fever 
• Earache 
• Bleeding gums 

A Quick Review

Tooth pain, whether from a cavity, infection, cracked or chipped tooth, or gum disease, can be a miserable experience. Home remedies like peppermint tea, aloe vera gel, garlic, salt water rinses, and tea tree oil can provide temporary relief. NSAIDs and Tylenol (acetaminophen) can also help in the short term.

While these remedies are helpful in a pinch, it’s important to see a dental professional if you have persistent or severe tooth pain. Addressing the underlying cause can relieve your pain, protect your oral health, and prevent complications like tooth loss.