Best Natural Remedies for Toothache (Fast Relief)
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
The Core Overview: How to Stop Tooth Pain Instantly
If you are currently in pain, you need immediate relief, not a long introduction. The most effective natural remedies to stop toothache fast are a warm saltwater rinse, cold compress, and clove oil.
According to dental experts, these methods work by reducing inflammation, killing surface bacteria, and numbing the exposed nerve. While these remedies provide a necessary bridge to comfort, they are temporary solutions. A persistent toothache—especially one involving throbbing nerve pain or a hole in the tooth—indicates an underlying issue that eventually requires professional dental care.
Below, we break down exactly how to apply these remedies for maximum effectiveness based on your specific symptoms.
What is the fastest way to stop a toothache at home?
The fastest way to stop a toothache at home is using Clove Oil (Eugenol) or a Saltwater Rinse.
1. Clove Oil (The Natural Anesthetic):
Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural antiseptic and anesthetic that acts similarly to benzocaine.
- How to use it: Dip a clean cotton swab or cotton ball into clove oil. Gently wipe it over the gums and the painful tooth. If you have a cavity (hole), you can place a small cotton ball soaked in the oil directly into the cavity.
- Why it works: As noted by Colgate, eugenol effectively numbs the area and reduces inflammation.
- Safety: Do not swallow the oil. If the taste is too strong, dilute it with a few drops of olive oil.
2. Warm Saltwater Rinse:
- How to use it: Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Swish vigorously for 30 seconds and spit.
- Why it works: Salt water draws out fluid from the tissues (reducing swelling) and cleans away debris that might be irritating the nerve.
How to stop tooth pain fast at home at night?
Nighttime toothaches are often worse because lying flat causes blood to rush to your head, increasing pressure on the sensitive areas of your mouth.
To stop nerve pain at night:
- Elevate Your Head: Sleep with two or three pillows to keep your head higher than your heart. This reduces blood pooling and throbbing pressure.
- Take Anti-Inflammatories Before Bed: Don’t wait for the pain to wake you up. Taking an NSAID (like ibuprofen) 30 minutes before sleep can preempt the inflammation.
- Avoid Acidic/Cold Foods at Dinner: Avoid triggering the nerve right before bed with acidic, sugary, or extremely cold foods.
What is the 3-3-3 rule for toothache?
The “3-3-3 rule” is a common internet term often used to describe a medication rotation strategy for severe dental pain, though medical professionals typically refer to it as alternating analgesics.
Note: Always consult a doctor before mixing medications.
The strategy generally involves managing pain cycles by overlapping medications so the effect doesn’t wear off:
- The Concept: Taking a dose of Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) which targets inflammation, followed 3 hours later by Acetaminophen (Tylenol) which targets pain perception.
- The Goal: This keeps a steady level of pain relief in your system without exceeding the maximum daily dosage for either drug.
- Warning: Never exceed 3000mg of Acetaminophen or 3200mg of Ibuprofen in 24 hours unless directed by a dentist.
How to relieve tooth nerve pain while pregnant?
Pregnancy limits which medications you can take, making natural remedies vital. The NHS and obstetricians generally recommend avoiding NSAIDs (like Ibuprofen) during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester.
Safe remedies for pregnancy include:
- Warm Saltwater Rinses: Completely safe and effective for gum inflammation.
- Garlic Paste: Garlic releases allicin, an antibacterial agent. Crush a fresh garlic clove, mix with a pinch of salt, and apply it to the tooth. It is safe to use topically.
- Cold Compress: Apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to your cheek for 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off. This reduces swelling without introducing chemicals to the body.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Generally considered the safest over-the-counter pain reliever for pregnancy, but always confirm dosage with your OB-GYN.
Hole in tooth pain home remedy
If you have a visible hole (cavity) causing pain, the pain is usually caused by air or food particles hitting the exposed dentin or nerve.
1. Keep it Clean:
Food trapped in a cavity causes immense pressure. Gently floss around the tooth and rinse vigorously with warm water to dislodge debris.
2. Temporary Filling Material:
Most pharmacies sell “temporary dental filling” kits (zinc oxide eugenol cement). You can roll a small amount into a ball and gently push it into the hole. This seals the nerve off from air and temperature changes.
3. Sugar-Free Gum:
In a pinch, a small piece of chewed sugar-free gum can be used to cover the hole temporarily. Do not use sugary gum, as the sugar will cause immediate, intense pain.
Unbearable tooth pain: What to do at home?
If the pain is “unbearable,” you may be dealing with an abscess or a dying nerve.
- Peppermint Tea Bags: Wet a peppermint tea bag and put it in the freezer for a few minutes. Apply the cold bag to the tooth. The menthol offers numbing properties while the cold reduces swelling.
- Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse: Mix 3% hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water. Swish and spit. This kills bacteria and can help manage an infection until you see a dentist.
- Emergency Room: If your unbearable pain is accompanied by fever, difficulty breathing, or swelling that moves toward your eye or neck, this is a medical emergency. You need antibiotics immediately.
Key Takeaways
- Immediate Relief: Clove oil (eugenol) and saltwater rinses are the gold standards for natural relief.
- Nighttime Strategy: Always sleep with your head elevated to reduce blood pressure in the tooth.
- Pregnancy: Stick to saltwater, garlic paste, and cold compresses; avoid NSAIDs.
- Cavities: Keep the hole clean and seal it with temporary filling material from a pharmacy if possible.
- The Reality: Natural remedies manage symptoms, but they do not cure the infection. See a dentist as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to stop tooth nerve pain instantly?
The fastest method is applying Clove Oil directly to the trouble spot. Alternatively, chewing on a piece of fresh ginger or holding a swig of high-proof alcohol (like whiskey) over the tooth without swallowing can numb the nerve temporarily.
Does vanilla extract help toothache?
Yes. Vanilla extract contains alcohol (which numbs pain) and antioxidants. Dab a small amount onto your finger or a cotton ball and apply it to the aching tooth for temporary relief.
