Toothaches are the worst. If you’ve ever had one, you already know. That sharp, throbbing, can’t-think-straight kinda pain? Yeah. Not fun. The bad news is, they can come out of nowhere. The good news? There’s a bunch of stuff you can try at home to ease the pain until you can actually get to a dentist.
Now obviously, home remedies ain’t gonna fix a cavity or a cracked tooth or whatever else is going on deep in there. But they can help you get through the night (or the weekend) without losing your mind.
So here’s some of the best home remedies for toothache relief — that real people use, not just internet myths. And yeah, some might sound kinda weird. But hey, when your mouth is on fire, you’ll try anything, right?
1. Salt Water Rinse (Simple but works)
This one is kinda old school but still one of the best. Just mix like half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water, swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds, and spit it out. Don’t swallow it. Obv.
Why it helps: Salt water is a natural disinfectent (or is it disinfectant or antiseptic? idk lol) and it helps reduce swelling and can get rid of little bits of food stuck around the sore area.
Pro tip: Use it a few times a day. But not too salty or you’ll dry out your mouth.
2. Cold Compress (aka ice, duh)
If your cheek is swollen or the pain feels like it’s pulsing, try using a cold compress. Just wrap some ice cubes in a towel or use one of those freezer packs and hold it to your face for 15–20 mins.
Why it works: Cold makes blood vessels constrict, which numbs the pain and reduces swelling too.
Don’t put ice directly on your skin or teeth tho. You’re already in pain, no need to make it worse.
3. Clove Oil (kinda spicy but effective)
Cloves have this natural compound called eugenol (I think that’s how it’s spelled?) that acts like a natural painkiller and antiseptic. You can get clove oil at most pharmacies or even grocery stores now.
How to use it: Put a few drops on a cotton ball and dab it gently on the sore spot. Don’t go crazy with it, a little goes a long way. It kinda burns a bit at first but then it numbs the area.
Also it smells very strong. Like Christmas but more aggressive.
4. Garlic (yeah, really)
Garlic isn’t just for cooking or vampires apparently. It actually has antibacterial properties that can help with infections and pain.
What to do: Crush a garlic clove (smash it real good), mix it with a little salt if you want, and apply it to the tooth that’s hurting.
Warning: It smells awful and it’ll make your breath a crime. But if you’re desperate, worth a shot.
5. Peppermint Tea Bags
This one’s kinda soothing, especially if the pain isn’t too insane. Peppermint has some numbing effects and is anti-inflammatory too.
How to use: Steep a peppermint tea bag like normal, let it cool a bit (you don’t want it hot), then press it against the sore area. Or put it in the fridge for a few minutes first if you prefer it cold.
Plus, at least your breath won’t smell like garlic after this one.
6. Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse (if you’re careful)
Some people use hydrogen peroxide diluted with water as a rinse to kill bacteria and help with gum pain. It’s not a long-term fix but might help in the moment.
Important: Don’t swallow it. Like really, don’t.
Mix equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water. Swish it gently for 30 seconds and spit it out. Rinse with plain water after.
Tastes kinda nasty tho, not gonna lie.
7. Over-the-Counter Painkillers (obv but still)
Okay, technically not a “home remedy” but still part of your home stash, right? Ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can do a lot to dull the pain while you’re figuring out what to do.
Ibuprofen is good for pain and inflammation, so maybe go with that if you’re swollen too.
Read the label. Don’t overdose. We’re trying to stop the pain, not add more problems.
8. Elevate Your Head When You Sleep
This one’s easy to forget. If you lay totally flat, blood can pool more in your head and make the tooth throb worse.
Try propping your head up with extra pillows when you sleep (or try to sleep… tooth pain is evil like that). It can actually reduce pressure and make the pain a bit more bearable.
9. Avoid Hot, Cold or Sweet Stuff
When your tooth’s acting up, it might be super sensitive to temps or sugar. Drinking hot tea or eating ice cream is gonna make it worse. Same with candy or even sweet fruit sometimes.
Stick to lukewarm water and soft, bland foods until the pain calms down. Not forever, just til you see the dentist or the pain passes.
10. Vanilla Extract (weird but true?)
So apparently vanilla extract has alcohol in it, which can help numb pain for a short time. Plus it smells nice, so bonus?
How to use: Dab a little on a cotton ball or your finger and apply it to the sore spot. Only use pure vanilla extract though, not the imitation stuff. (Idk if that even does anything.)
It’s not gonna last long, but in a pinch it might help.
But Seriously… See a Dentist
Look, all this stuff might help for a little while. It might even get you through the weekend or help you sleep a few hours. But most of the time, a toothache means something’s wrong — cavity, cracked tooth, infection, something.
Home remedies can’t fix that. Only a dentist can.
If the pain is super bad, lasts more than a couple days, or if you see swelling in your face or jaw, go see a dentist ASAP. Especially if you have a fever or can’t open your mouth all the way. That might be something serious like an abscess, and you don’t want to mess around with that.
Final Thoughts (cause pain sucks)
Toothaches are brutal. Like, you don’t realize how much your teeth matter til one starts screaming at you. The remedies above won’t magically fix the problem, but they can give you some relief while you wait for a real solution.
Try a few and see what helps. Everyone’s different. But whatever you do—don’t just ignore the pain forever. Teeth don’t heal themselves.
Get it checked. Take care of your chompers.
And maybe floss once in a while. Just sayin’.
Disclaimer: I’m not a dentist lol. This is just info gathered from real people and the internet. Talk to a pro for anything serious, obviously.