Home Remedies for Gum and Tooth Abscess
A dental abscess can cause excruciating tooth pain. While your dentist is the only one who can fix an abscess, several home remedies can offer fast, short-term pain relief.
Do not wait to seek treatment if you believe you have an abscess in your teeth or gums. Complications of abscessed teeth or gums can be life-threatening.
You cannot get rid of a tooth abscess or a gum abscess on your own. Home remedies are intended to offer short-term relief while you’re waiting on a dental appointment.
Each toothache home remedy below will list the abscess(es) for which it can relieve pain. Scientific evidence tells us that not all home remedies will work for both kinds of dental abscess — what works for an abscessed tooth may not help for an abscess in the gums.
The most effective home and/or natural remedies for dental abscess are:
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
Ibuprofen is the most effective over-the-counter painkiller for dental abscess pain.
Other anti-inflammatory over-the-counter painkillers sometimes used for dental pain include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and aspirin.
Effective for: Gum abscess and tooth abscess
Tea Bags
Wet tea bags of calming and antibacterial teas such as chamomile and peppermint tea may relieve toothache pain. The eugenol in peppermint tea has pain relieving qualities.
To use tea bags for dental abscess pain, hold a wet tea bag to the affected tooth or area of your gums.
Some sources recommend putting the teabag in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before applying for added relief.
Effective for: Gum abscess and tooth abscess
Benzocaine
Benzocaine gel is used as a topical anesthetic to relieve tooth and gum pain fast. 20% benzocaine gel numbs the affected area temporarily and should be reapplied every 2 hours.
The most common over-the-counter brands of benzocaine are Orajel and Anbesol.
Never use benzocaine gel in children under 2.
Effective for: Gum abscess and tooth abscess
Cold Compress
A cold compress held to the outside of the face may help relieve inflammation and swelling caused by a tooth abscess. Hold a cold compress to the area of pain for up to 20 minutes at a time.
Be sure to use a barrier, such as a dishtowel, between your skin and the compress to avoid irritation of your skin.
Effective for: Tooth abscess
Saltwater Rinse
A saltwater rinse, 4-5 times a day, can soothe some pain associated with a gum abscess. Saltwater has anti-inflammatory properties and promotes wound healing.
To make a supersaturated salt water rinse for dental abscess pain:
Start with a glass of warm salt water — not boiling
Add a tablespoon of Himalayan pink salt at a time while stirring.
Stop adding salt once some crystals won’t dissolve and sink to the bottom.
Gently swish the rinse in your mouth.
Repeat 4-5 times each day for effective pain relief.
Effective for: Gum abscess
Baking Soda
A baking soda rinse has mild antibacterial properties and may soothe gum pain caused by an abscess. Baking soda in the mouth will also support a more alkaline pH of saliva.
Rinsing with baking soda may be most useful for abscess pain in conjunction with other home remedies.
For an effective rinse:
Start with baking soda and warm water at a 1:1 ratio.
Add Himalayan pink salt and mix until dissolved.
Swish for 2-3 minutes.
Repeat 3-5 times a day.
Effective for: Gum abscess
