Natural remedies for dental pain

Warm salt water may soothe irritated tissue, but dental pain needs diagnosis because home remedies cannot remove decay or infection.

Tooth pain may arise from inflamed pulp, exposed dentine, a cracked tooth, gum infection, an abscess, or food trapped around the tooth. A home measure can temporarily change irritation or pressure without treating the diseased pulp, tooth structure, or supporting tissues.

Rinse gently with warm water, remove trapped food with careful brushing or floss, use a cold pack outside the cheek for swelling, and take suitable labelled pain relief after checking contraindications. Do not put clove oil, alcohol, aspirin, or heat directly on the gum or tooth.

Arrange prompt care for pain lasting beyond a brief irritation, pain that wakes you, lingering hot or cold pain, pain on biting, swelling, pus, or a broken tooth. Emergency help is needed for spreading facial swelling or difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Ask which tooth is causing the pain and whether the pulp, root, gum, or bite is involved. Ask whether you need a filling, crown, root canal treatment, drainage, extraction, or treatment for gum disease.