references
  
      Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry: "Comparative evaluation of salt water rinse with chlorhexidine against oral microbes: A school-based randomized controlled trial."
    
      Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology: "Aloe vera: Nature's soothing healer to periodontal disease."
    
      Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine: "Effectiveness of ginger on pain following periodontal surgery – A randomized cross-over clinical trial."
    
      International Journal of Engineering Research and General Science: "A study to assess the effectiveness of the guava leaves mouth wash for patients with oral problem."
    
      Journal of Acupuncture and Meridien Studies :"Acupuncture in the Management of Acute Dental Pain"
    
      U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Aloe"
    
      National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: "Bromelain"

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

While garlic can't cure or "kill" an infection, it's one of the oldest home remedies for emergency toothache relief while you wait to see a dentist.

Image Credit: sebastianosecondi/iStock/GettyImages

The Refresh is helping you freshen up on your oral-care knowledge and upgrade your dental-hygiene routine.

Image Credit: sebastianosecondi/iStock/GettyImages

The Refresh is helping you freshen up on your oral-care knowledge and upgrade your dental-hygiene routine.

  • Warm or Cold Compress
  • Saline Rinse
  • Tea Bag
  • Garlic
  • Aloe Vera
  • Ginger
  • Baking Soda
  • Whiskey
  • Clove Oil
  • Thyme Oil
  • Enzyme Support
  • Guava Leaves
  • Acupuncture
  • Pain Relievers
A gentle rinse with salt water could temporarily help stop a toothache in its tracks.

Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages

Both garlic and onions have properties with the power to ease tooth pain.

Image Credit: budgetstockphoto/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: budgetstockphoto/iStock/GettyImages

There’s no evidence that taking garlic pills will help with a tooth infection or toothache.

Aloe can be poisonous if swallowed, according to the National Library of Medicine. Only apply a small amount to the affected area, and don’t use this as a long-term solution for tooth pain. Stop using aloe and seek medical help if you have symptoms of aloe poisoning, including difficulty breathing, diarrhea, loss of vision, rash, skin irritation, severe abdominal pain, throat swelling or vomiting.

Applying a ginger paste just might make your tooth stop hurting until you can see your dentist.

Image Credit: Lucy Lambriex/DigitalVision/GettyImages

Image Credit: Lucy Lambriex/DigitalVision/GettyImages

“Sometimes tooth pain in the upper jaw can be referred pain radiating from a larger, more complicated infection, such as a sinus infection,” Dr. Huaman says. “This is like the chicken and the egg. Did the tooth infection cause the sinus infection? Or do you just have a sinus infection that radiates to tooth pain?” She recommends applying pressure to your cheekbone area. If you feel a sense of relief, then it’s probably a temporary sinus infection. However, if applying pressure causes you pain, that could be “a sign of a tooth infection at the tip of the root in the sinus that can cause severe bone destruction and puncture through the sinus membrane.” If so, it’s best to see a dentist as soon as possible.

She recommends applying pressure to your cheekbone area. If you feel a sense of relief, then it’s probably a temporary sinus infection. However, if applying pressure causes you pain, that could be “a sign of a tooth infection at the tip of the root in the sinus that can cause severe bone destruction and puncture through the sinus membrane.” If so, it’s best to see a dentist as soon as possible.

Clove oil can help with pain from a tooth infection or other oral issues.

Image Credit: tycoon751/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: tycoon751/iStock/GettyImages

Try a homemade guava leaf mouthwash when you have a toothache at night.

Image Credit: Shot what you like/iStock/GettyImages

Image Credit: Shot what you like/iStock/GettyImages

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      Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry: "Comparative evaluation of salt water rinse with chlorhexidine against oral microbes: A school-based randomized controlled trial."
    
      Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology: "Aloe vera: Nature's soothing healer to periodontal disease."
    
      Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine: "Effectiveness of ginger on pain following periodontal surgery – A randomized cross-over clinical trial."
    
      International Journal of Engineering Research and General Science: "A study to assess the effectiveness of the guava leaves mouth wash for patients with oral problem."
    
      Journal of Acupuncture and Meridien Studies :"Acupuncture in the Management of Acute Dental Pain"
    
      U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Aloe"
    
      National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: "Bromelain"