How to treat wisdom tooth pain at home

Wisdom teeth usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25, sometimes even later in life. As wisdom teeth are the last to come in, they may not have enough room in the mouth to grow properly. They may push or get stuck against other teeth and grow at an angle under the gum. This can result in what is known as impacted wisdom tooth pain, causing swelling in the gums and irritation.

Along with pain, you may experience symptoms like bad breath, difficulty biting and chewing food, headaches and wisdom tooth ache.

A variety of home remedies for wisdom tooth pain have been suggested. While home remedies for wisdom tooth pain can be helpful if used to provide natural wisdom tooth pain relief, they are not alternatives to seeking a diagnosis and proper treatment from a Board Certified Oral Surgeon like Dr. Falender. With prolonged use, they can actually worsen the condition by making the symptom less noticeable while allowing the source of infection, tooth decay, or pain increase until it spreads or causes more severe consequences.

In Certain Situations, however, the following home remedies can be helpful:

#1 Clove

Clove has been shown to reduce pain from wisdom teeth as well as other toothaches. Clove oil contains eugenol, which is a natural numbing agent. Plus, its antiseptic and antibacterial properties prevent infection. Both the clove buds and clove oil can be used.

• Place a few drops of clove oil on a cotton ball and place it adjacent to the area causing pain. Reapply 2 or 3 times a day. If you find clove oil too strong, dilute it with a little olive oil.
• You can also place 2 or 3 whole cloves in your mouth close to the aching wisdom tooth. As the cloves start releasing their essential oil, you will get relief from the pain. Follow this remedy as needed.
• Another option is to mix 1 crushed garlic clove, a little rock salt and a few drops of clove oil to make a paste. Apply a thick coat of it on the swollen gums and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes. Then rinse it off with warm water. Do this once or twice daily

#2 Salt

Another home remedy for wisdom tooth pain is salt. It helps reduce inflammation i the gums, and prevent and fight infection.

• Mix 1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Saltwater has a cleansing effect that battles bacterial infections. If a wisdom tooth has pericoronitis or another type of abscess, a saltwater rinse can help clean the infected area until the source is treated. Dissolve a small amount of salt in warm water and swish for 30 seconds one to two times per day. This can also help after wisdom teeth are removed to help keep the sockets free from debris and infection. Saltwater won’t permanently cure an infection if the source is a poorly positioned or decayed wisdom tooth.
• You can also mix equal amounts of salt and pepper with a few drops of water to form a paste. Apply this paste on the affected tooth and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Follow this remedy 2 or 3 times daily until the pain is gone.

#3 Ice

If the wisdom tooth pain is the result of swelling, applying an ice pack may be able to help. Simply use a commercial ice pack or put some ice is a plastic baggie, wrap it in a towel and apply it to the swollen area. Not only will this relieve some of the pain, but it will also help the inflammation go down.

#4 Garlic

Garlic has antioxidant, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and other medicinal properties that help relieve wisdom tooth pain. It can even prevent or slow down bacterial infections in your mouth.

• Slightly crush a garlic clove and hold it against your aching wisdom tooth.
• You can also chew 1 to 2 garlic cloves to get relief from the pain.
• Alternatively, mix 1 to 2 garlic cloves crushed into a paste with some black salt. Apply it on the affected area. Leave it on for a few minutes and then spit it out.

#5 Onion

Onions have antiseptic, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can provide relief from toothaches and kill germs that may cause an infection.

• Simply chew a few slices of raw onion for a few minutes.
• If you cannot chew due to swelling and pain, place a small piece of raw onion directly on the affected tooth.

#6 Guava Leaves

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. 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.

#7 Teabag

Various types of tea have natural properties that can help problems associated with wisdom tooth pain and extraction. Peppermint tea has numbing properties and can provide temporary relief of pain by applying a cooled tea bag to the painful site. Black tea contains tannic acid, which helps stop bleeding by inducing clot formation. If a wisdom tooth has been extracted and the bleeding won’t stop with pressure after an hour, place a moistened tea bag on the bleeding area and bite down gently to provide pressure.

#8 Baking Soda Paste

Using a baking soda paste will help reduce swelling of your troubled tooth and help reduce the pain. To use this easy home remedy for wisdom tooth pain, take a dab of your regular toothpaste, put it in a small bowl, and mix a bit of baking soda with it. Apply this paste directly to the tooth that’s hurting and you are sure to notice relief.

#9 Vanilla Extract

Most people use vanilla extract for cooking and baking but most don’t know that it can also with wisdom tooth pain. Vanilla extract is very rich in antioxidants, it also helps with numbing the gums around the affected area. The procedure is very easy and should take effect within minutes. All you need to do is put some of the extract on your finger tip and rub it on the affected tooth. You can also take a cotton ball and soak it in vanilla extract, then rub it on the area or leave it in your mouth for a few minutes.

#10 Peppermint

Peppermint is another very effective age-old remedy for wisdom tooth pain. This herb is rich in anesthetic properties that help relieve pain. Plus, it can help get rid of bacteria in the mouth that may cause infection.

• Rub some peppermint oil on the painful area. Leave it on for a few minutes, then rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
• You can also add 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves to a cup of hot water. Cover and steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Swish a mouthful of this solution in your mouth for 30 seconds and spit it out. Repeat with the remaining solution.

#11 Cucumber Slices

A chilled cucumber happens to be an excellent remedy for wisdom tooth pain.

• Put a cucumber in the freezer for a couple minutes and let it chill thoroughly.
• After it is well-chilled remove it from the freezer and cut off a small slice, sized to fit over your hurting tooth.

The cold will reduce your pain level and the juice will provide extra relief. If you have a juicer at home, try juicing a cucumber and using its juice as a mouth rinse. You may also chill the pulp and place this directly onto your tooth.

#12 Asafetida

An age-old Ayurvedic remedy to alleviate pain of wisdom teeth is asafetida, also known as hing. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic and antispasmodic properties. All these constituents make it a good remedy for toothaches.

• Simply place a small amount of asafetida on the aching tooth to get quick relief from pain.
• You can also mix 1/4 teaspoon of asafetida powder with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Slightly heat this mixture. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and place it against the aching wisdom tooth.

#13 Sage

Sage is a natural pain reliever and very effective in providing instant relief from wisdom tooth pain. This herb has antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help cure toothaches as well as gingivitis, mouth sores and bleeding gums.

• Mix 2 teaspoons of dried, crushed sage and 1 teaspoon of salt in a small glass.
• Pour whisky or vodka in the glass.
• Allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
• Swish the mixture around your mouth for a few minutes, then spit it out.
• Repeat with the remaining solution.

#14 Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is another natural remedy for wisdom toothaches. Being a natural antibiotic, wheatgrass helps draw out bacteria and toxins from the mouth, in turn reducing the pain.

• Chew a few fresh wheatgrass shoots slowly, then spit them out. Do this as needed to get relief from the pain.
• Alternatively, extract the juice of wheatgrass and use it as a mouthwash several times a day until the pain is gone.

About Your Indianapolis, IN Oral Surgeon

We look forward to providing families with exceptional care and advanced treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Falender contact our Indianapolis, IN, dental office today by calling (317) 900-4535. Our office welcomes patients in and around Indianapolis, IN, including Fishers, Lawrence, Greenfield, and the surrounding Southern Indianapolis communities.

How do you make wisdom teeth pain go away?

How long do wisdom teeth pain last for?

Can wisdom tooth pain go away on its own?