Effective Natural Remedies for Toothache Relief

Bee Propolis

Posted by Cheryl S. (N.J.) on 06/23/2025
★★★★★

Sometimes a tooth is sore because of gentle pressure from other teeth that are not growing 100% straight. Kind of like having slow-motion braces. When this happens, I find that brushing that area gently a little more helps stimulate the circulation and ease the pressure. Short of invisalign or braces, this will keep happening over time.

But in the case of a cavity or some unknown irritant, I use propolis. This is nature's anti-biotic. Inside bee hives, there is no virus, no bacteria, no mold, no foreign anything. It is purer than any operating room in any hospital. (Hint: Always have a bottle of propolis in the fridge for when you might want an anti-biotic. Take 2 capsules 3 or 4 times a day for a week to 10 days, just like you would a chemical anti-biotic, but without the harsh destructive effects to digestion and bloodstream.)

So at night I twist open a capsule of bee propolis (make sure to get a brand that claims it does not destroy the bees or the hive) and shake a tiny bit on the end of my finger. I press the propolis into the outside of the tooth that is aching. I do it again and press the propolis along the inside of the tooth. You do lose some of the granules because it's not easy doing this kind of gymnastics on the inside of your mouth, but eventually you will get the feel of it. Usually one night of the propolis takes care of anything that is aching in a tooth. Rarely have I had to do it two nights in a row, but that's also happened. It's a total godsend and propolis is also an energy food for the body. No harmful side-effects. How many medications can make that claim?

Chamomile Tea Bag

Posted by Tanya (Metairie) on 06/07/2018
★★★★★

I have a cavity that is very deep. I also have an abscess tooth. I placed a chamomile tea bag on the area and spit out about a quarter of a cup of saliva. I repeated this with another Tea bag. The pain stopped, the swelling was gone and so was the redness. Instead of getting my tooth pulled or getting a root canal, I am continuing home remedies and just getting my teeth cleaned for now.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Crystal (Valley, Al) on 08/06/2017
★★★★★

This was the best remedy, it works like a charm and works fast, I had tried all kinds of over the counter meds, orajel but nothing else worked like this natural remedy, it soothed the pain until I was able to get to the dentist, I put warm water, 2 teaspoons acv(with the mother) and added salt to mine and gargled with it and it worked immediately

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Eric D. (Missoula, Montana) on 06/16/2022
★★★★★

Apple cider vinegar, room temp distilled water, a hope and a prayer.

Mixed 2 tbs ACV with 2 tbs distilled water (slightly warmer than room temperature. Drank at once, but forgot to swish because of the excruciating pain. Immediately prepared another 1 tbs of each and mixed prior to swishing. Swished concoction in mouth for 30-60 seconds, (directing the majority to the area of mouth where toothache presented), then spit once finished with swishing. Good enough for Suzie from Zootown, good enough for me, Eric from Zootown. Boy oh boy, what a wonderful wizardry!!!

Cloves

Posted by Michele M. (Fresno, Ca) on 11/27/2016
★★★★★

Using whole cloves for toothache remedy.

It really does work, I made a satchel of whole cloves, bashed it with a hammer, and gnawed at it for 15 min....finally relief!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Maggie (Idaho) on 08/28/2016 36 posts
★★★★★

Same thing happened to me. Tooth on top and one on bottom started hurting for no reason that I could think of. It wasn't the type of pain from a cavity, more like from a nerve. The pain would start at the teeth and then go up towards my ear. It only happened when I drank something, didn't matter if it was hot or cold. Read the post by Passion4film87 so swished half apple cider vinegar and half water and the pain was gone. I was so surprised that the pain would stop so fast.

Cloves

Posted by Rachael (Salmon, Idaho, Usa) on 09/21/2013
★★★★★

WOW!!! That is all I can say for CLOVES!!! I found this site after searching for a home remedy for this cavity pain I have been having for days.... And everyone kept saying to use cloves.... Typically skeptical, I continued just the use of the prescription pain medication I use normally for my lower lumbar pain and Orajel... The meds seemed to not have any effect on the pain whatsoever and the Orajel only lasted for a few minutes.... At this point I was willing to try anything to just tolerate the pain! So, to the cupboard I went and found a jar of whole cloves.... Put the whole clove inside the hole of the cavity and INSTANTLY the pain seemed to subside!!! I only held the clove there momentarily and I am still in shock that it worked so fast! It has been over an hour and I still barely feel the pain... So THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I cannot wait to tell everyone how well this worked!! I believe I will make certain I always have a jar of cloves for an emergency like this again in the future!!!

Vitamin C

Posted by Robert (Orlando, FL) on 12/24/2006
★★★★★

Whenever I get a toothache I think back to see if I took large amounts of vitamins, especially C, and then suddenly stopped. Toothaches can be the result of sudden withdrawal from vitamin C. If so, it's best to return to using it and gradually withdraw from its use rather than do it all at once. Sudden withdrawal from C can cause joint pains as well. Such pains are normally temporary, but they can be quite disconcerting if one doesn't know their source.

Cloves

Posted by Anon (NYC) on 05/04/2006
★★★★★

Tooth Pain: Fill the tooth with clove powder. Works better than anything.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic

Posted by Leanne (Scotland) on 09/27/2025
★★★★★

I am awaiting root canal treatment and experiencing the worst pain of my life. Screaming and punching walls kind of pain. Earlier this morning I was at an emergency appointment but the anaesthetic failed to work because of an abscess so was unable to go through with the surgery. I was given antibiotics but warned they would take 24 hours to take effect. After three hours of screaming I decided to try some natural remedies. Half a chewed garlic clove and a pint of water and apple cider vinegar (couple teaspoons) later I have stopped grimacing and managed a smile! Not ideal for the long run but a crazily good quick fix.

Turmeric

Posted by Bakul (London) on 11/21/2022
★★★★★

I have used turmeric powder to rub on to the gums 2-3 times a day for gum infection and pain. Fast reduction in gum inflammation and pain

Oil Pulling

Posted by JC Mors (Ontario) on 12/30/2021
★★★★★

I tried oil pulling for a toothache and to my amazement, it worked.

I used Olive Oil 3 times a day and in 3 days my pain was completely gone.

I am continuing the process for further healing.

Cheers

Cloves

Posted by Jim (From Frostburg) on 09/27/2021

That's the right stuff (AKA, eugenol or essential oil of cloves).

Tissue Paper Trick

Posted by Flowing Hands (pensacola) on 09/21/2021
★★★★★

I've tried all the remedies many times. I used to swear by garlic. I would just burn the toothache as much as I can with garlic and that helped the most of all these remedies. One day the garlic stopped working and I was screwed with no way to turn. I had the idea to stuff the hole with tissue paper to prevent more food debris ect from getting to it. When I did that the pain that was a 10 went to a 0 INSTANTLY!!!!! I have 2 other tooth infections and I used to tissue paper works on them too. So you have to find the spot where it hurts or is bleeding. Most likely it's bleeding and that's why it became an infection cuz bacteria got to the blood. So when u got blood in your mouth it's very hard to stop it cuz your mouth is so wet. So by applying tissue paper and stuffing it hard against the wounded area does 2 things. First, the pressure stops the bleeding. sScond, the dryness of the tissue paper sucks up everything it contacts. Just replace it every 1-2 days. I like to clear out the area with baking soda before applying the tissue. Trust me this is the ultimate cure a million times better than any remedy.

Tissue Paper Trick

Posted by Charity (faithville, Us) on 09/28/2021

Garlic and vitamin c are blood thinners and can cause mouth bleeding. As far as your infection goes, you have a fight on your hands....be careful how you tackle it. I am fighting mine in the spirit realm as all natural cures won't fix mine anymore, only keep them controlled.

Activated charcoal will suck up the infection and use some castor oil with it and salt, I use the pink salt. The teeth also have a connection to the sinus cavity and jaw bone. Pulling teeth is the answer they say is best but then you watch those denture cream commercials and they spell out all the suffering and then implants are an accident waiting to happen. You are gambling with your heart and liver and brain here. Turmeric is good. Ginger is good for oral and gut health. Neem works only when using the brie< I think it is. People who used neem, not from area where brie from goats was eaten did not get dental benefits. Can't find the article I read. coconut oil works wonders too. As far as what is going on behind the scenes here, is it your gut health, emotional health affecting gut health, tonsil stones, or is it exposure to toxins? Find the source so you can put out the fire. Cover face in castor oil at night and cover pillowcase with an old t-shirt.

Healing Teeth Natural without Drugs, Surgery or Dentists (healingnews.com)

Symptoms of Mineral Deficiencies (life-enthusiast.com)

Onion

Posted by Deirdre (CT) on 11/19/2020

Hi David,

When I had extreme tooth nerve sensitivity last summer, it was from detoxing too much too fast. I took a potassium supplement and within half an hour, completely better. I continued to take one tablet a day for the next few days.

Clove Oil, Baking Soda

Posted by Sparks (Pennsylvania) on 07/04/2017
★★★★☆

I practice alternative medicine whenever I can. Ironically, the more you see a dentist, the more pain you have. Despite a high pain tolerance, I had excruciating radiating pain (to ear, jaw, neck) from an old partially restored crown that needs revision. Hot foods and liquids particularly irritating. Q-tip dipped in clove oil, -- rinse this out after letting it sit a minute -- don't swallow clove oil, --then a swab of baking soda gave me temporary relief.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Kellie (Usa) on 10/12/2016
★★★★★

I had a horrible toothache and I mixed about 2 Tbsp ACV with the Mother and about 1 tsp of raw honey with about 1/4 cup of lukewarm water and I swished it around my teeth and then swallowed it. that was about 30 minutes ago and the pain was GONE within 15 minutes. Completely gone. I don't know how long the pain will be gone, but I am amazed and so grateful. I am concerned about the enamel damage possible by ACV so I might just swallow the mixture next time and see if that works as well. I am so amazed that this worked.

Cloves

Posted by Davina (Los Angeles) on 02/22/2014
★★★★★

I have a toothache. Been going off and on for a few weeks. I am waiting until the dentist can see me. I read about the clove oil and ground cloves. All I had was ground cloves. I put some ground clove around the tooth and the pain is quite diminished. Tastes nasty though but anything to stop the pain.

Almond Extract

Posted by Mhenson254 (Toccoa, Ga - Georgia) on 03/25/2012
★★★★★

After several hours of pain from a rear wisdom tooth that had been sensitive for about a year and turned bad, I tried several things including clove or cinnamon cassia oil to dumb the pain, only thing that worked was swishing a spoonful of real almond extract around bad tooth for about 20 seconds, no pain for about three hours almost instantly will work until I see dentist.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Michelle (Melbourne Australia ) on 03/09/2018
★★★★★

Omg this works! I was in excruciating pain and over the counter medication wasn't working, a few mouthfuls of this held in my mouth and then spat out and the pain went away. Thank you