5 Home Remedies for Tooth Abscesses

While there are many causes for a toothache, abscesses are among the worst ways to get one. The pain that’s associated with a tooth abscess can be debilitating, radiating from the tooth to your neck or ear, and leaving it untreated can lead to a serious, life-threatening condition.

To learn more about tooth abscesses and how you can treat them with at-home remedies, continue reading below.

What Is a Tooth Abscess?

While many people get tooth abscesses, not very many of them know what they actually are. A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that forms as a result of a bacterial infection. Additionally, there are two types of tooth abscesses, periapical and periodontal, that form in different areas of the mouth. A periapical abscess forms at the tip of the root, whereas a periodontal abscess forms in the gums at the side the root.

In this blog, we are going to focus mainly on periapical abscesses.

What Is the Best Natural Antibiotic for a Tooth Infection?

Tooth abscesses are a pain, but there are ways that you can lessen the discomfort you feel with natural remedies. One of the easiest ways to help lessen the pain, while also trying to stop the spread of an infection, is to rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution.

Saltwater solutions irrigate the mouth while also acting to kill off some of the bacteria that can form a tooth infection. Additionally, it can loosen and detach some of the debris and pus in your mouth and surrounding your tooth.

To create a saltwater rinse, combine ½ a teaspoon of regular table salt to a small cup of warm water and stir it well. Rinse your mouth for a couple of minutes swishing the solution thoroughly and then spit it out. Repeat this process several times a day.

What Are Other Natural Cures for Tooth Abscesses?

In addition to saltwater rinses, there are other at-home remedies you can use to treat and cure tooth abscesses. Find some of the most effective remedies below.

Hydrogen Peroxide

You likely have a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in your medicine kit or first aid cabinet, but did you know you can use it for more than minor cuts and scrapes? It has many household and first aid uses, but this simple first aid staple is one of the best remedies for an infected tooth. To make a hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse, combine a 1:1 ratio of peroxide and warm water, and then rinse your mouth with that a few times each day until your symptoms improve.

Baking Soda

Another great home remedy for tooth abscesses is baking soda. Rinsing your mouth with baking soda and warm water will help reduce the amount of plaque in your mouth, help relieve pain, and introduce antibacterial properties that will help fight your infection. If you have an abscess, you can also make a paste of baking soda and water and apply that directly to your tooth or gum instead of using the rinse.

Peppermint Tea Bags

Peppermint tea is known for its natural soothing properties, but it’s also a great remedy for mouth and tooth pain. When placed wet on a tooth abscess, cool peppermint tea bags can soothe pain considerably. This remedy, however, does not have any antibacterial properties, so you will need to combine this method with another one on our list to treat and cure the root cause of the infection.

Cold Compress

If your face is swollen as a result of your tooth infection, try applying a cold compress to the site. Cold compresses are perfect for bringing down swelling and temporarily numbing pain. For best results, we recommend finding a bendable cold pack or wrapping ice in a towel and leaving it on your face for a maximum of a few minutes. Again, this remedy does not help with treating your tooth abscess, so you’ll need to apply a cold compress in conjunction with another remedy on our list.

When to See a Dentist

Even though there are a lot of at-home remedies you can use for an abscessed tooth, it’s also important to see your dentist if your symptoms don’t improve. You’ll want to make sure that the infection that caused the abscess doesn’t spread to other areas of the mouth, and your doctor can prevent that from happening.

If you’re in need of a dentist, whether you have an abscessed tooth or not, and you’re located in the Westminster, MD area, contact All Smile Care today! Our friendly team is standing by, so be sure to call and get your appointment scheduled so you can start your journey to a clean and healthy mouth.

About the author

A practicing dentist since 1982, Dr. Gary Imm, provides advanced cosmetic dentistry, including smile makeovers, sedation, implant and TMJ services. He is committed to progressive, extraordinary care for his guests. All Smiles Dental Care trains at least 300 hours each year at such prestigious centers as the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dentistry. (LVI)

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