Home remedies for wisdom tooth pain: salt rinse, clove and a cold compress
An erupting or trapped wisdom tooth can make the back of the jaw ache, the gum swell and chewing painful. These home remedies for wisdom tooth pain offer comfort with a warm salt rinse, a clove held near the tooth and a cold compress while you arrange a dental visit.
Important: this remedy is only a supportive home measure. Keep taking any medicine your doctor has prescribed, monitor your readings, and consult your doctor before adding anything new.
Why wisdom teeth hurt
Wisdom teeth usually come through between 17 and 25 years of age. When there is not enough space they can stay partly under the gum, where food gets trapped and the flap of gum becomes inflamed (pericoronitis). Only a dentist can tell with an X-ray whether the tooth will settle or needs removal.
Clove (laung) has long been used in Indian homes for toothache; its warming, numbing quality is valued in Ayurveda for short-term relief.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water with ½ teaspoon salt
- 1–2 whole cloves
- A few ice cubes wrapped in a thin cloth
- Soft foods: khichdi, dalia, curd rice, soup
How to prepare
- Dissolve the salt in warm water just before rinsing.
- Wrap the ice in a clean thin towel; never put ice directly on the skin.
How to use
- Rinse with warm salt water after every meal and before bed, swishing gently around the back tooth.
- Hold one clove softly between the cheek and the painful gum for 5–10 minutes, up to three times a day.
- Apply the cold compress on the cheek for 10 minutes at a time, a few times a day, and eat soft food on the other side.
Helpful habits
- Brush the back teeth carefully with a soft brush to keep trapped food out.
- Sleep with your head slightly raised if the jaw throbs at night.
- Book a dental visit rather than waiting for the pain to come back.
Precautions
- See a dentist urgently for swelling of the face or jaw, fever, pus, bad taste, difficulty opening the mouth or swallowing.
- Do not put aspirin tablets, crushed garlic or strong clove oil directly on the gum; they can burn.
- Take painkillers only as advised by your dentist or pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
How long does wisdom tooth pain last?
- Pain from a tooth coming through may come and go over days or weeks. Pain with swelling that does not ease in two or three days needs a dentist.
Can a wisdom tooth infection be treated at home?
- No. Home care can ease discomfort, but an infection needs a dentist, who may clean the area, prescribe medicine or plan removal.
Is clove safe for wisdom tooth pain?
- A whole clove held near the tooth is a common traditional comfort. Clove oil is strong and should be used only a drop at a time on cotton, not poured on the gum.
