By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: 5 Ways to Deal With Tooth Pain at Home
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Dental health > 5 Ways to Deal With Tooth Pain at Home
Dental healthSpecialties

5 Ways to Deal With Tooth Pain at Home

Learn how to deal with toothache pain fast and effectively from the comfort of your own home with these 5 easy tips.

Aaron Barriga
Aaron Barriga
Share
5 Min Read
how to handle tooth pain
Shutterstock Licensed Photo - 1845308947 | By Olena Yakobchuk
SHARE

From the time our teeth start emerging as babies until we’re seniors, our teeth can give us pain from time to time. While there are true dental emergencies that require prompt attention, not all tooth pain is created equal. In addition, we sometimes begin experiencing dental pain after our dentist’s regular office hours on the weekend. For these reasons, knowing how to handle tooth pain at home is important until you can get into the office. Keep reading for ways to deal with tooth pain at home, so the next time you or a loved one find yourselves in discomfort, you’re prepared to handle it yourself.

Contents
  • Saltwater Rinses
  • Cloves
  • Ice Compresses
  • Take Antibiotics
  • Garlic

Saltwater Rinses

If you’ve ever had a dental procedure or infection, your dentist likely advised you to rinse with warm saltwater, and for a good reason – saltwater is a natural disinfectant, and it can also help as a debriding agent – which is to loosen food and any other debris that may be stuck between your teeth. If you’re dealing with a toothache or suspect infection, mix around a teaspoon of salt per cup of lukewarm water and swish vigorously for about a minute. For many people, saltwater is enough to get them through until they can see a dentist.

Cloves

The fragrant clove is one of the oldest remedies for tooth pain. Clove oil can numb tooth pain quickly and has anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce inflammation in the area causing the pain in the first place. Eugenol, which is found in clove oil, is a natural antiseptic. Clove oil is strong, so diluting it with a carrier oil like sunflower oil is highly recommended. One thing’s for sure, though – the clove oil will help with your tooth pain, and the strong scent of clove will give your breath a spicy and fresh scent. Clove oil is also excellent to use during recovery from any dental procedure.

Ice Compresses

When experiencing a toothache or any other dental trauma, an ice compress should be one of your first lines of defense. Apply a cold compress to the area, which will immediately constrict the blood vessels around the painful area – which decreases pain and possible swelling if present. You want to make sure you never apply ice or something frozen directly to your delicate facial skin, so wrap the compress in a thin material or washcloth and leave it on for about twenty to thirty minutes at a time. You can do these compresses every couple of hours for relief.

More Read

Telemonitoring at Work in the Netherlands
Could New Chronic Care Treatments Help Manage Your Arthritis?
Can Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment Help Diabetics?
How Does Occupational Therapy Help Kids with Autism?
Sleepless Night? Main Causes & Four Best Natural Herbs To Help You Fall Asleep

Take Antibiotics

Dental infections can get out of control, sometimes quickly, and while they’re rarely fatal if you know you have an existing infection, it’s important to start treating it immediately. Many dentists and oral surgeons prefer that an infection be cured before proceeding with treatment anyway. If you don’t already have antibiotics on hand, you may seem unsure of how to get antibiotics without seeing a doctor, but it is possible. Plenty of online websites offer these services, and you can have a prescription at your local pharmacy within minutes after answering a few questions. Some of the sites are even tailored for dental issues.

Garlic

Garlic has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties, specifically its antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits. If you’re in dental pain, you can use garlic on a toothache by crushing a garlic clove to a pasty consistency and applying it directly to the affected area. You can also opt to slowly chew on a piece of garlic which will not only give the benefits of garlic’s bacteria-killing ability, but the gentle movement may also alleviate pain. Garlic has been shown to also have mild pain-relieving properties, so it’s worth a shot for many reasons. 

Dealing with tooth pain doesn’t have to be stressful, but it’s important to nip it in the bud when it arises. There is a strong link between dental health and overall health, so following up with your dentist when you’re experiencing dental pain is essential. It may be as benign as a cavity or something worse, like an abscess. Your dentist can help you feel relief and correct the problem.

TAGGED:clovessaltwater rinsestooth pain
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By Aaron Barriga
Follow:
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK. Aaron loves collecting coasters from the different bars and restaurants he visits during his travels.

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

Image
Geriatrics

Cost & Caregiving Impact from Alzheimer’s Disease

April 1, 2013
Specialties

My Experience Working at a Cancer Clinic

May 14, 2012

The Untapped Potential of Behavioral Design

November 21, 2012
Dental healthSpecialties

What Is Tele Dentistry And How It Can Improve Access To Dental Care

July 20, 2020
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?