10 Gum & Tooth Abscess Home Remedies

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A dental abscess can be excruciatingly painful. While only your dentist can treat an abscess, several home remedies can provide quick, short-term pain relief.

If you suspect you have an abscess in your teeth or gums, do not put off seeking treatment. Complications of abscessed teeth or gums can be life-threatening.

Home remedies are intended to provide temporary relief while you wait for a dental appointment.

Each toothache home remedy listed below will specify which abscess(es) it can treat. Unfortunately, according to scientific evidence, not all home remedies will work for both types of dental abscesses — what works for an abscessed tooth may not work for an abscess in the gums.

1. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Ibuprofen is the most effective nonprescription pain reliever for dental abscess pain. Use the 3-3-3 method to relieve dental pain with over-the-counter ibuprofen: Take three daily pills for three days.

This is more than the recommended dose, so consult your dentist before taking this ibuprofen.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and aspirin are two other anti-inflammatory over-the-counter pain relievers that are occasionally used for dental pain.

2. Acupressure/Acupuncture

Acupressure or acupuncture may help relieve pain from a gum or tooth abscess. You can try acupressure at home for toothaches, but always seek acupuncture treatment from a licensed acupuncturist. Gum abscess and tooth abscess are effective treatments.

3. Tea Bags

Toothache pain may be relieved by soaking tea bags in calming and antibacterial teas such as chamomile and peppermint tea. The eugenol in peppermint tea has anti-inflammatory properties.

Hold a wet tea bag to the affected tooth or gum area to relieve dental abscess pain. Gum abscess and tooth abscess are effective treatments.

4. Benzocaine

Benzocaine gel is a topical anesthetic used to quickly relieve tooth and gum pain. 20% benzocaine gel temporarily numbs the affected area and should be reapplied every 2 hours.

The most common over-the-counter brands of benzocaine are Orajel and Anbesol. Gum abscess and tooth abscess are effective treatments.

5. Essential Oils

Clove oil may provide temporary relief from gum and tooth abscess pain.

Clinical trials indicate that clove oil may be just as effective as benzocaine in relieving toothaches. However, clove oil may be most effective in relieving pain from an infected tooth if the decay has exposed the nerve inside the tooth.

6. Cold Compress

A cold compress applied to the outside of the face may help relieve swelling and inflammation caused by a tooth abscess. Apply a cold compress to the painful area for up to 20 minutes at a time.

To avoid skin irritation, place a barrier between your skin and the compress, such as a dishtowel.

7. Wedge Pillow

Pain from a tooth abscess is known as "positional pain" because it worsens when you lie down. Sleeping on a wedge pillow to elevate your head can help you sleep better and reduce pain.

Until you can get to the dentist and for the first 1-2 days after your extraction or a root canal, use a wedge pillow like this one.

8. Saltwater Rinse

Saltwater rinse 4-5 times per day can help relieve some of the pain associated with a gum abscess. In addition, saltwater is anti-inflammatory and aids in wound healing.

9. Baking Soda

A baking soda rinse has mild antibacterial properties and may alleviate abscess-related gum pain. Baking soda in the mouth will also help to raise the pH of the saliva.

In conjunction with other home remedies, rinsing with baking soda may be most beneficial for abscess pain.

10. Oil Pulling

Oil pulling can reduce inflammation and reduce plaque under painful, bleeding gums. This may help to alleviate the pain associated with a gum abscess.

To pull oil:

- One teaspoon of unrefined, cold-pressed coconut oil is required.
- For 1-3 minutes, swish the coconut oil around in your mouth.
- Spit the oil into a trash can rather than a sink. Coconut oil has the potential to harden and clog pipes.
- You can also oil pull with sesame or olive oil. However, sesame and olive oils are not as effective at reducing gum tissue inflammation.