10 Best Home Remedies for Wisdom Tooth Pain Relief

Anyone who has ever had their wisdom teeth come in knows how painful they can be. The pain may result from an infected wisdom tooth, damaged gum tissue, tooth decay, or impacted wisdom teeth. It’s essential to get to the dentist to discuss the best course of action as soon as possible. In the meantime, you may have to find some wisdom teeth pain relief. 

10 Best Home Remedies to Reduce Wisdom Tooth Pain

Here are some home remedies for toothache pain while you wait to get into your dental clinic to see your oral surgeon for a wisdom tooth extraction.


1. Warm Salt Water Rinse

salt water for wisdom teeth pain

Dentists often recommend this remedy themselves for pain relief until your wisdom tooth appointment. It is one of the most effective ways to relieve your wisdom tooth pain, but it is also one of the easiest.

How to Do a Salt Water Rinse:

Pour about eight ounces of warm water into a glass and stir in two tablespoons of salt until it’s completely dissolved. Rinse with the water for twelve seconds, or as long as you can stand the salty taste, and then spit it out. Repeat the process every few hours, and you’ll begin experiencing pain relief.

A salt water mouth rinse can reduce bacteria on your teeth and gums because it temporarily increases the pH balance of your mouth and creates an alkaline environment in which bacteria struggle to survive.

Do you have a toothache that just won’t go away? Our office has day of appointments so you can get the help you need. Contact Absolute Dental today.

 


2. Apply Ice

Applying ice pack for wisdom tooth pain

If the wisdom tooth pain is the result of swelling, applying an ice pack¹ may bring some temporary relief. 

How to Apply Ice:

Simply use a commercial ice pack or put some ice in a plastic bag, wrap it in a towel and apply it to the swollen area. Ice will relieve some of the pain, but it will also help the inflammation go down.

Cold numbs the affected area, which can reduce pain and tenderness. Cold can also reduce swelling and inflammation.

 


3. Clove Oil

Clove oil for wisdom tooth

Clove may be the best-kept secret when it comes to relieving tooth pain. It is one of the only home remedies that packs a one-two punch. Clove oil² contains a chemical called Eugenol, which acts as an anesthetic and antibacterial agent. Clove oil is anti-inflammatory and antifungal.

How to Apply Clove Oil to a Toothache:

Take some clove oil, put it on a cotton ball or cotton swab, and wipe directly on the gums immediately surrounding the tooth.

For some people, the flavor of clove oil is too strong. If you find this to be the case, mix it with a little bit of olive oil. This dilutes the clove oil, making it milder. Repeat this treatment several times per day on an as-needed basis.


4. Onion

Onions for wisdom tooth pain

Onion is the remedy that will probably sound the strangest, but it might be one of the most reliable as well. Onions have already been used as a home remedy to relieve the pain and inflammation from arthritis. It only makes sense to use the same method for wisdom tooth pain.

Onion is effective because it contains phytochemicals that target the germs responsible for the infection, giving you a much-needed break from the pain. The one thing that gives people pause about this remedy is that you have to chew on raw onion. 

Making this worse for many is that the more intense the onion is, the better the pain relief will be. Mild onions, like the sweet onion, will provide relief, but you’ll find a much better result using red or yellow onions.

How to Use Onion to Relieve Tooth Pain:

At the first sign of pain in your tooth, cut off a piece of onion and chew it on the side of your mouth that is in pain. This allows the juice from the onion to penetrate your tooth. If you find your pain too intense for chewing, you can use your finger to hold the piece of onion directly against the problematic tooth and gums.


Wisdom teeth can be a pain. Our expert dental team can help with evaluations and extractions. Contact us today.


5. Cucumber Slices

cucumber slices for wisdom tooth pain

Want something that tastes better than onions? Cucumber slices can help bring relief to your wisdom tooth pain. They don’t have the same infection-fighting properties, but they can work in a pinch when your mouth hurts.

How to Use Cucumber to Ease Tooth Pain:

Take a cucumber and cut it into small slices. Thoroughly rinse the cucumber and place the pieces in the refrigerator. When your tooth begins to hurt, take one slice of the cucumber and put it in your mouth directly on the infected tooth. The coolness from the cucumber will soothe the ache and take away the pain.


6. Tea Bags

Tea bags for wisdom tooth pain

If your wisdom tooth pain results from swollen gums around the infected area, tea bags are an excellent remedy. Tea is used in many home remedies, thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties found in tannic acid.

How to Use Tea Bags For Tooth Pain:

The most effective way to use tea bags to treat your pain is to brew a cup of tea and put the cup in the refrigerator, leaving the tea bag inside the cup. Once it’s nice and cold, take the bag and place it directly over the hurting gum inside your mouth. This will help reduce the swelling and bring pain relief almost instantly.


7. Peppermint

Peppermint leaves for wisdom tooth pain

Peppermint is also known as an excellent pain reliever for wisdom teeth. Peppermint is very rich in anesthetic properties that will significantly reduce pain and remove bacteria in the mouth that caused the infection. In addition, peppermint has a naturally fresh aroma, unlike other remedies.

Two Ways to Apply Peppermint to Your Teeth to Relieve Pain:

  • You can take fresh leaves and pack them into the affected area for at least 20 minutes, and the pain should subside. 
  • Take a few drops of peppermint extract and put it on a cotton swab applying it to your tooth. Leave it on your tooth for a few minutes, and you should start to feel relieved from the pain.

8. Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract for wisdom tooth pain

Most people use vanilla extract for cooking and baking but don’t know that it can also help with wisdom tooth pain. Vanilla extract contains Eugenol, which has antiseptic and analgesic properties, which is why it is so effective at relieving tooth pain. 

How to Apply Vanilla Extract to a Toothache:

Apply some vanilla extract on your fingertip, cotton swab, or cotton ball and rub it on the affected tooth and surrounding gums.

Is it time to get in for a checkup? Our dental team offers comprehensive care for you and your family. Schedule an appointment today.


9. Guava Leaves

Guava leaves for wisdom tooth

If you’re experiencing a lot of wisdom tooth pain, guava fruit will be your best friend. Guava leaves are great for pain relievers. The leaves from guava fruit contain anti-spasm properties. Guava leaves also have properties that are antibacterial and disinfecting qualities. 

How to Use Guava Leaves for Toothache:

Guava leaves can be applied by simply chewing them slowly in your mouth. The juices will then be released, taking effect within minutes. The other option would be to take 5-7 leaves and boil them in a pot for about 5 minutes. Once the water cools down, you can use the liquid as a mouthwash.


10. Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda paste for wisdom tooth

Using baking soda paste can help with the swelling of the tooth and ease the pain. 

How Baking Soda Can Help a Toothache:

This home remedy can be easily applied by taking some toothpaste, putting it in a small container, and mixing it with baking soda. You can make the application directly on the affected tooth. The level of pain should go down within a few minutes.


Additional Tips

Here are a few tips that you can utilize to avoid making your wisdom tooth pain any worse than it already is:

  • Stay away from foods that are hard or loaded with sugar. Chewing hard foods can worsen the pain, while the sugar in sweet foods can get inside your gums and aggravate the wisdom tooth infection.
  • Drink lots of water to ensure the gums stay flushed.
  • To keep the infection to a minimum, brush your teeth after each meal and floss as best as you can in the infected tooth area.
  • If all else fails, your dentist may recommend over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen.

If you’re looking for wisdom teeth removal, Las Vegas Absolute Dental has you covered. Our dentist’s Las Vegas location is ready to handle any dental emergency with comprehensive care and day of appointments. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

¹Ice Packs vs. Warm Compresses For Pain. University of Rochester Medical Center. Retrieved 6 June 2022.

²Holland, K. (29 March 2019) Can I use Clove Oil to Ease My Toothache? Healthline. Retrieved 6 June 2022.

Wisdom Teeth offer 4 Wisdom Teeth Removal With Sedation Offer At Absolute Dental

Regular Price: $2100

Hurry! Offer Expires: 03/31/2024

There’s no need to wait until they become a problem individually. Take advantage of our limited time offer and get all four wisdom teeth removed at once, under sedation for only $1,299.

About the Author

Avatar photo

Dr. Joan Landron

Currently serving the community at Absolute Dental since August 2008, Dr. Joan Landron graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry in 1997.

She further honed her skills with a general practice residency at Metropolitan Hospital and underwent specialized training at New York University’s Implant Program for General Practitioners. Specializing in services such as X-rays, examinations, cleanings, crowns, and more, Dr. Landron brings a comprehensive approach to general and cosmetic dentistry, including implants.

A proud member of the American Dental Association, Nevada Dental Association, and Southern Nevada Dental Association, she cherishes her free time by spending moments with family, reading, and maintaining her health through exercise. Dr. Landron takes immense pride in being a part of the Absolute Dental team and is dedicated to her patients at the Absolute Dental – Nellis in Las Vegas, ensuring they receive the best care possible.

Start Smiling Now

Call us now to make an appointment at a location near you and receive a complete exam & X-ray for only $39.

Call and Make Your Appointment

(844) 8-SMILE-NOW
(844) 876-4536

Start Your Appointment Online

Make Appointment