in

5 Best Home Remedies For Abscess Tooth

A nasty toothache is capable of spoiling the mood for days together unless you get quick relief. Instead of running to your dentist (provided you get the appointment) and waiting for hours on end for something as simple (though painful) as a tooth abscess, you can attempt some easy home remedies for an abscessed tooth that are effective and offer quick relief.

A holistic approach of treatment is always good. A tooth abscess can be excruciatingly painful, as it is a collection of pus, which is generated as a reflex defense mechanism that halts the spread of the infection into the bloodstream.

What’s worse is the infection spreading into the insides of the tooth, affecting the tooth and leading to caries and painful cavities. Whenever any foreign substance finds its way into the inner layers of the tooth through either a chip or weak enamel, caries or cavity can be formed.

Causes of Tooth Abscess

  • Gingivitis, Periodontitis or any other form of gum disease.
  • Irregular or incorrect brushing leading to poor oral hygiene.
  • A weak immune system by default.
  • Chipped or cracked tooth or weak enamel.
  • Dental infection unnoticed, or left untreated.
  • Consuming carbohydrate rich diet, or sticky foods regularly

Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth

  • A severe toothache that persists continuously.
  • Sharp, shooting pain in the infected portion each time you grab a bite of food.
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold water.
  • Discharges in the mouth, often foul smelling.
  • Intermittent bad breath.
  • Redness and swelling in the gums, sense of soreness.
  • Swelling extending to the face.
  • Sleeplessness due to intense, throbbing pain.
  • Difficulty in swallowing solid food.

See A Doctor Immediately, If:

  • You experience chills.
  • You develop a fever.
  • Your face swells.
  • You have trouble while swallowing or breathing.

Note: The above indicate that the infection has gone deeper and has spread to the jaw and neighboring tissues.

5 Home Remedies For Abscess Tooth

home remedies for abscess tooth

5. Oil Pulling

Procedure:

  • Rinse your mouth with warm water. Put 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth.
  • Swish the oil inside your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not swallow the coconut oil.
  • Spit out the oil after 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.
  • Repeat the process at least twice daily, until you see improvement.

How Does This Work?

Oil pulling is an ancient medical technique that has been described in detail in Ayurvedic texts. It has been in existence for thousands of years because of its efficacy and safety. Coconut oil works on abscessed teeth & inflamed gums and offers almost instant relief.

Coconut oil is great in fighting against thousands of harmful bacteria present in the mouth. It is more of a mouthwash with strong medicinal properties, which helps get rid of bacteria and other harmful toxins found in the mouth.

Oil pulling is known to be one of the best home remedies for abscess tooth. It is extensively prescribed by Ayurvedic practitioners and grandmothers for treating simple mouth ulcers and advanced stages of abscess in the tooth. If left untreated, the body’s reaction to the toxins accumulating in the mouth manifests as inflammation, allergic reactions and other painful symptoms associated with an abscessed tooth.

The Remedy Is Not Good, If:

You are not doing it right. It is advisable to undertake the process on an empty stomach. Even in the absence of abscess in the tooth, oil pulling can be done at regular intervals to promote oral health.

4. The Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Procedure:

  • Rinse the mouth with warm water and spit it out. Put 1 tablespoon of unfiltered apple cider vinegar in your mouth.
  • Swish the apple cider vinegar inside your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not swallow the vinegar. Once rinsed, spit it out.
  • Rinse again with warm water. Repeat process 2 to 3 times in the course of the day.

How Does This Work?

Apple cider vinegar, also known as cider vinegar or ACV is vinegar made out of cider and apple. It is pale yellowish in color and contains all the nutrients as well as minerals of an apple. It contains pectin, biotin, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, and traces of minerals like potassium, phosphorous, calcium, sodium and iron.

In all, ACV or apple cider vinegar contains almost 90 ingredients, making it a super health tonic. One important ingredient in ACV is acetic acid, otherwise known as ethanoic acid, which works wonders on an abscessed tooth.

Although this colorless liquid has a strong pungent smell and is very bitter to taste, its goodness outweighs the discomfort caused by the smell and taste.  Acetic acid is a known antibacterial agent and can fight effectively against Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are all harmful bacteria that do no good for the human body, especially the teeth, nose and skin.

While not being used as one of the home remedies for an abscessed tooth, apple cider vinegar can be consumed for its beneficial properties. The Malic acid present in ACV, which is an organic dicarboxylic acid, aids in digestion and helps in removing the unwanted toxins from the body.

The Remedy Is Not Good, If:

ACV has no known side effects and is safe to use.

3. Mixture of Garlic and Clove Oil

Procedure:

  • Take a ball of surgical cotton and dip it in clove oil. Place the soaked clove oil cotton on the affected area. Swish the accumulating saliva around the mouth for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Spit out the clove oil/saliva, but don’t rinse your mouth. Take a pod of fresh garlic and peel the skin. Wash the peeled garlic pod, put in mouth, and crush.
  • Do not spit out the accumulating saliva but swish it around the mouth. Repeat the entire process two to three times in the course of the day.

How Does This Work?

Garlic has more than 33 sulfur compounds like alliin, allicin, ajoene, allyl propyl, diallyl, trisulfide, s-allyl cysteine and more, and 17 different amino acids along with their glycosides, arginine and more?

Garlic probably contains the highest concentration of sulfur compounds and is considered a wonder herb with multiple benefits. However, the sulfur content gives it the pungent smell and several curative properties as well.

Garlic is one of the most effective home remedies for abscess tooth. The compound allicin is formed only when garlic is crushed or cut. The cut activates the enzyme alliinase, which has strong antimicrobial properties and helps fight against bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites as well. That is why it is important to use freshly crushed garlic while treating an abscessed tooth.

Clove oil, on the other hand, is extracted from dried clove buds Eugenia caryophyllata, which is very effective in relieving topical pain and promotes rapid healing. Clove oil also contains phenylpropanoids including carvacrol, thymol, eugenol, and cinnamaldehyde. Of these, Eugenia caryophyllata has great antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal and antiviral properties.

Clove oil is known for its anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and anesthetic properties as well. All these combine in clove oil to make one of the best home remedies for an abscessed tooth. Moreover the reason for using clove oil along with garlic is that it effectively masks the strong, irritating odor emanating from garlic, which usually lasts for several hours.

The Remedy Is Not Good, If:

You have sensitive gums and tongue. In such cases, crushed garlic can cause burning sensation in the mouth. Hence, dilute the garlic with water before using, lest it causes festers. Clove oil is quite harmless and does not have any side effects.

2. Warm Brine and Peppermint Oil

Procedure:

  • Mix common salt in warm water to make brine solution. Rinse your mouth with brine and swish around for 5 minutes. Spit out the brine, but don’t rinse your mouth with plain water. Take virgin peppermint oil and massage the affected area.
  • If peppermint oil is unavailable use fresh mint leaves (crushed). Repeat the process two to three times in the course of the day.

How Does This Work?

Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water (brine) has been advocated for many reasons, as it is very beneficial. In addition to helping cure an abscessed tooth, it helps clearing a sore throat, cures gum sores, and can be used by children and adults alike. This course of treatment is as old as history and is a favorite with most grandmothers who realize the true value of common salt.

It is an effective remedy and has anti-inflammatory properties as well. Brine has a temporary effect by increasing the pH balance in the mouth, thus creating a favorable alkaline effect where it is difficult for bacteria to survive. Bacteria normally thrive in an acidic environment as it is more conducive. Salt is also a great healer and helps in curing the abscessed tooth, thus helping the mouth recover. In short, salt promotes dental hygiene in a big way.

Peppermint oil, on the other hand, has great antiseptic properties, making it one of the most trusted home remedies for abscess tooth. In addition to being a great germ buster, this aromatic oil acts as a natural mouth freshener that helps mask the bad odor associated with tooth abscesses. Salt water and peppermint oil make a great combination, each complementing the other to fight tooth abscesses successfully.

The Remedy Is Not Good, If:

  • You are swallowing the solution of salt water. It can cause nausea and vomiting sensation.
  • You are suffering from hypertension (high BP). Don’t leave the salt water in your mouth for too long as sodium can trigger blood pressure and cause it to rise.

1. Hydrogen Peroxide and Herbal Tea Bag

Procedure:

  • Take a regular herbal tea bag and soak it in warm water. Wring out the water without damaging the tea bag. Place the wet tea bag on the affected tooth. Leave it for a few hours, or leave it overnight. Remove teabag in the morning and continue hydrogen peroxide treatment.
  • Take two teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide and mix it with 1 tablespoon of warm water. Put the mixture in your mouth and swish for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Repeat the process as often as required, depending on the condition of the abscessed tooth.

How Does This Work?

Wet tea bags are known to be great home remedies for abscessed tooth as they help fight the infection and reduce the swelling, offering quick relief. Moreover, the tannin present in the teabag absorbs the toxic content as well as the pus surrounding the abscessed tooth.

Black tea and green tea are great astringents, helping drain the toxins with the binding action of the bitter polyphenolic compounds binding to proteins. Once the pus is released, it is important to rinse the affected area with hydrogen peroxide solution to prevent festering of the sore caused by the abscessed tooth.

The herbal tea bag helps rupture the abscess safely and drain out the toxic contents along with the pus formed. Hydrogen peroxide also helps relieve the pain and reduce the inflammation. It also acts as a natural disinfectant, killing the harmful bacteria present in an abscessed tooth. This is what probably makes hydrogen peroxide one of the most preferred home remedies for an abscessed tooth.

The Remedy Is Not Good, If:

You are using the hydrogen peroxide in its concentrated form. While hydrogen peroxide has great healing and antiseptic properties and does a great job of bleaching and disinfecting the teeth, using it in concentrated form can do more harm than good. Hence, use the diluted form to prevent long-term damage to teeth.

General Tips:

home remedies for an abscessed tooth

  • Avoid using over-the-counter self-medications without your doctor’s approval.
  • Try using fluoridated water, especially for drinking.
  • Use fluoride-based toothpaste, brush twice a day, and follow up with an antiseptic mouthwash.
  • Make it a habit of using dental floss or a good inter-dental cleaning agent.
  • Toothbrushes need to be replaced regularly, at least once in 3 months.
  • Annual or half-yearly dental checkups are recommended.
  • Avoid consuming too much of sugary and starchy foods.
  • Smoking affects the teeth on a long-term basis, quit if you haven’t already!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

how to get rid of fruit flies fast

How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies and Gnats In The House?

Home Remedies For Smelly Feet And Shoes

10 Best Home Remedies For Smelly Feet And Shoes