The term dental abscess refers to an infection in the root of a tooth or between the gum and a tooth. It leads to severe tooth decay and can be the result of bacteria entering the tooth (through a tooth cavity or crack) and spreading to the tip of the root.
The most common causes include high sugar diets, poor dental hygiene, gingivitis, severe cavities, and sticky foods. Tooth abscesses can cause numerous complications if left untreated, such as inflammation and pain.
The ability to fight infections that can reach the pulp cavity of the tooth may be lost, and when the root of the tooth dies, the pain is reduced. However, this does not mean that the infection is gone, as it could spread and affect the surrounding tissue.
In the worst case, it could spread to the bone that supports the tooth and leads to serious, life-threatening complications.
A dental abscess causes bad breath, stabbing pain and toothache, red and sore gums, pain when chewing food, impaired taste ability, swollen cheeks, fever, difficulty swallowing food, swollen lymph nodes under the jaw and general malaise.
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How to Treat Tooth Abscesses Naturally?
The following natural remedies are extremely effective in relieving the symptoms of dental abscesses:
Garlic
The active compound in garlic, allicin, is a powerful natural antibiotic that prevents bacterial infections, and its anti-inflammatory properties relieve pain due to swelling.
Ingredients:
3-4 cloves of garlic
Instructions:
Peel the previously washed garlic cloves, crush them and squeeze the juice to stimulate the release of allicin. Then apply the juice to the tooth twice a day. You can also eat 2-3 cloves of garlic.
A soaked black tea bag
Black tea bags have antioxidants that destroy infection and absorb toxins and pus.
Ingredients:
- Black tea bag
- Warm water
Instructions:
Soak the black tea bag in the water for a few minutes, and then place it on the swelling. Leave it like this for a few hours, and then rinse your mouth with a salt water solution. Repeat once a day.
Salt and water rinses
Salt’s powerful antiseptic and antibacterial properties will calm inflammation, stop infection, and prevent bacterial growth in the mouth.
Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- 1 glass of warm water
Instructions:
Pour the salt into warm water and stir until completely dissolved. Then, rinse your mouth with the solution and spit it out. Repeat a few times during the day.
Potatoes
Potatoes are alkaline in nature, but they have acidic properties and have strong antiseptic properties, so they can get rid of dead cells and other toxins that a tooth abscess causes.
Ingredients:
Raw potato slice
Instructions:
Place the potato slice on the painful area and leave it to act for half an hour. When you remove it, you should notice a bit of discoloration on it, which means that it extracted the toxins from the infected tooth.
Hydrogen peroxide
This powerful antimicrobial agent will help you eliminate dental abscesses, and its disinfectant and antibacterial properties destroy bacteria and reduce inflammation and pain.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons hydrogen peroxide
- Sodium bicarbonate
- 1 teaspoon lukewarm water
Instructions:
Mix 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide with 1 tablespoon of warm water, and rinse your mouth with the mixture. You can also mix a teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide and prepare a paste that should be applied to the affected area for a few minutes. Then rinse your mouth.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains two beneficial acids, acetic acid and malic acid, which provide its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. It also acts as a disinfectant and anti-inflammatory and relieves pain and inflammation caused by dental abscesses.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar that you can stir with another tablespoon of water.
Instructions:
You need to pour it into your mouth and shake it for 5 minutes. Then spit it out and repeat 2 to 4 times a day.
Oil pulling (swish with oil)
This ancient Ayurvedic practice provides numerous benefits as it removes bacteria and toxins from the mouth and improves oral health.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- Warm water
Instructions:
Shake a teaspoon of extra virgin coconut oil in your mouth for 15 minutes, spit out and rinse your mouth with warm water. Repeat twice a day.
Echinacea
The Echinacea is a popular natural antibiotic relieves pain and inflammation caused by infection.
Ingredients:
- Echinacea herb or a tea bag of this herb
- Water
Instructions:
Mix the warm water with the herb or tea bag, infuse it for 5 minutes, strain and rinse your mouth with it several times a day.
Peppermint oil
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of peppermint oil treat inflammation and reduce pain caused by abscessed teeth.
Ingredients:
2-4 drops of peppermint oil
Instructions:
Pour a few drops of this oil on a cotton swab and apply it directly to the painful spot. Hold against the tooth for several minutes. You can also apply the oil with your finger. Repeat 3-4 times a day.
Turmeric
Turmeric’s strong antibiotic, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties relieve inflammation and pain, and support oral health.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Warm water
Instructions:
Make a paste by mixing a teaspoon of turmeric powder with water and applying it to the tooth. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse it off. Also, you can prepare the paste by combining 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric and 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
Oregano oil
This oil also has powerful antibacterial, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, which fight infection, numb the area of the abscessed tooth by destroying bacteria in the pus, accelerate the healing process, and strengthen the immune system.
Ingredients:
2-3 drops of oregano oil
Instructions:
On a cotton swab, pour a few drops of oregano oil and apply it on the tooth. Leave it on for 5 minutes and rinse it off. You can also make your own homemade mouthwash by mixing 3 to 5 drops of oregano with ¼ cup of warm water. Shake the solution in your mouth for 5 minutes and spit it out. Repeat a few times a day.
Chamomile
The anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile heal injured tissues. You can use the herb or in the form of tea to heal an abscessed tooth.
Apply the wet tea bag to the infected tooth, or drink 3-4 cups of chamomile tea daily. To reduce swelling, make a chamomile poultice and apply it topically to the affected area several times throughout the day.
The following additional tips will help you prevent an abscessed tooth:
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Avoid chewing gum too much
- Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months
- Avoid junk food and focus on healthier food choices
- Give up smoking
- After brushing your teeth, use an antimicrobial mouthwash to use in the morning
- Avoid caffeine in the case of tooth pain or infection