Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars that typically appear between the ages 17 and 25 [1].
Often, wisdom teeth do not cause any problem, but they can bring great pain and discomfort if they are misaligned or impacted, as explained by WebMD.
Tooth impaction or partial eruption of tooth makes way for bacteria to enter and cause infection, resulting in pain, inflammation and fever.
So you don’t have to suffer for long, make use of these simple but effective home remedies for wisdom tooth pain for immediate relief.
Continue reading and learn:
- 11 natural ways to relieve wisdom tooth pain
- How to prepare and apply these natural remedies
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11 Best Natural Remedies for Wisdom Tooth Pain
1. Wheatgrass Juice
Wheatgrass juice is a dietary supplement extracted from mature wheat grains or Triticum aestivum L [2].
Due to its high concentration of chlorophyll, it is believed to have remarkable medicinal efficacy, which is why it has become the subject of numerous scientific research [2].
Even before it was studied, wheatgrass was already being used by herbalists as a laxative, diuretic, astringent, antioxidant and immunostimulant [3].
It has treated many kinds of ailments including hyperacidity, colitis, diabetes, and kidney malfunction [3].
Scientific evidence also suggests that wheatgrass juice is a strong antibacterial that can prevent infection [3, 4, 5, 6].
Using disc diffusion method, researchers found it to be highly active against microorganisms such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Aspergillus brasiliensis, among others [5].
They explain that the active compounds in wheatgrass worked in creating pores on the cellular walls of the bacteria, which in turn resulted in the cells’ shrinkage and eventual death [6].
These and the fact that wheatgrass is also an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic make it a useful remedy for wisdom tooth pain.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 tablespoon of wheatgrass juice
- 1 teaspoon of wheatgrass juice
- 1 glass of wheatgrass juice
Recommended Directions:
- Swish one tablespoon of wheatgrass juice inside mouth for five minutes.
- Spit it out.
- Repeat three times a day for one week.
- Soak a cotton ball on one teaspoon of wheatgrass juice.
- Apply on affected area.
- Let it stay for one hour before rinsing mouth with water.
- Do this several times a day until pain subsides.
- It also helps to drink one glass of wheatgrass juice a day to strengthen the immune system and to make the body less susceptible to infections.
2. Oregano Oil
A powerful herbal remedy used to treat many health issues, oregano oil fights wisdom toothache in two ways.
First, its primary component carvacrol acts as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory to stop pain and swelling [7].
A team of scientists from Brazil utilized a paw edema model to determine that healing capacity of carvacrol, and found that it was highly effective at a dosage of 50 mg/kg, reducing rate of inflammation by up to 46 percent [7].
What it does is to halt the release and the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators including prostanoids [7].
Second, its antibacterial and antiseptic properties prevent harmful microorganisms from causing any infection [8, 9].
For fungal species, for example, active compounds in oregano oil prevented the formation, germination, and mycelia growth of Candida albicans [8].
Since oregano oil also stimulated the body’s immune system, it also helped in boosting its defense against infections [9].
What You’ll Need:
- 1 drop of oregano oil
- 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil
Recommended Directions:
- Dilute oregano oil in olive oil.
- Using a clean finger, gently rub mixture on painful tooth.
- Use this remedy once or twice a day until pain subsides.
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3. Clove
Clove has always been a popular remedy in folk medicine, used particularly in dental care as an analgesic and antiseptic [10].
It is in fact the first thing on people’s minds when someone is suffering from toothache.
Did you know that it has had a long history of use in traditional dental medicine?
Since 240 BC, it has been utilized by Chinese and Indian herbalists to alleviate pain and discomfort caused by tooth decay, oral infection and throat inflammation [11].
That’s because clove is a potent analgesic, as proven in several studies [12, 13].
Results from a study that was featured in the Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine reported that oral administration of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of clove extract produced significant analgesic effects on mice subjects [13].
It’s no wonder, it remains today as an effective pain relief for all sorts of toothaches including those caused by wisdom tooth growth.
What You’ll Need:
- 5 drops of clove oil
- 1 clove of garlic, crushed and chopped
- Pinch of rock salt
Recommended Directions:
- Mix clove oil, garlic and salt to form a paste.
- Apply generously on painful tooth and swollen gums.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes.
- Gargle warm water to rinse off the solution.
- Repeat twice a day for one to two weeks to get rid of wisdom tooth pain naturally.
4. Cabbage Leaves
In a study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, it was found that cabbage possesses potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities due to the presence of phytochemicals [14].
It is also an excellent source of essential nutrients needed by the body to keep itself in top shape.
These include B vitamins, potassium, manganese, copper, choline, magnesium, calcium, selenium, iron, phosphorus and protein.
Since it also contains lactic acid, which has been proven a powerful antibacterial, cabbage can efficiently prevent infection [15].
That’s not all.
Many can attest of pain-relieving properties of cabbage leaves.
In fact, for the longest time, people have been using warm compresses made with cabbage leaves to alleviate headaches.
All these properties are reason enough to use it as remedy for pain and swelling caused by wisdom tooth impaction.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 cabbage leaf
Recommended Directions:
- Roll a rolling pin over a leaf and remove the veins.
- Roll it and insert between swollen gum and painful tooth.
- Do this once a day to get rid of wisdom tooth pain fast.
5. Garlic
Known for its wide array of medicinal uses, garlic never ceases to amaze.
It’s one of those herbs that have been studied by scientists countless times, and most results confirm its medicinal value.
Garlic is also listed among the top natural medicines for toothache [16].
It is said to have both analgesic and anesthesizing properties that can help you overcome the pain and suffering brought about by this condition.
Researchers have found that garlic inhibits the growth and spread of oral bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas ginigvalis [17].
Garlic can therefore help ease pain and swelling, and at the same time, prevent bacterial infection in the area of the impacted tooth.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
Recommended Directions:
- Gently press crushed garlic against painful tooth.
- Alternatively, you can chew garlic slices.
- Repeat everyday for one to two weeks.
- Combine minced garlic and olive oil
- Swish inside the mouth for one minute.
- Spit it out.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Follow this technique twice a day until condition improves.
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6. Vanilla Extract
Vanilla beans with its naturally sweet flavor have become an all-time favorite when it comes to flavoring desserts, ice cream and other goodies.
Its extract is made up of both simple and complex sugars, as well as a couple of vitamins and minerals.
Some of its known benefits include balancing hormones, reducing inflammation and preventing cancer.
It’s considered as another effective remedy for pain caused by misalignment of wisdom tooth.
It is in fact one of the ingredients used in an oral gel for tooth pain [18].
With its flavonoids, it can also help inhibit bacterial infection that further causes pain, swelling and other bothersome symptoms [19].
What You’ll Need:
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Recommended Directions:
- Dip a cotton ball in vanilla extract.
- Rub swollen gums and painful tooth with the cotton ball.
- Leave the cotton ball in the sore area for three minutes.
- Repeat twice a day until toothache is cured.
7. Guava Leaves
High in nutrition and rich in antioxidants, guava is touted worldwide for its health benefits and medicinal uses [20].
It’s not just the fruit that works as an antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, but so do the leaves.
These are rich in antioxidants like tannins that produce excellent health benefits including resolving stomach pains and indigestion, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
According to an Indian study in the International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences, flavonoids in guava leaves that exhibited analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that make it effective home remedy for wisdom tooth pain and ache [21].
What You’ll Need:
- 5 guava leaves
- 1 cup of water
Recommended Directions:
- Boil guava leaves in water for five minutes.
- Strain the mixture and let it cool.
- Gargle with this solution twice a day for one to two weeks.
8. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil’s medicinal properties were first utilized by Australian aborigines a hundred years ago [22, 23].
This oil, which is extracted from the leaves of tea tree, has been used as folk medicine for wounds, oral thrush, cold sores, skin lesions, acne, athlete’s foot and dandruff [22].
Anecdotal evidence shows that tea tree oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory mechanisms that can work against oral infections [23].
The mild anaesthetic effect of this oil can provide instant relief from aches caused by improper growth of wisdom tooth.
Just see to it that you don’t swallow any tea tree oil.
There have been cases of drowsiness, disorientation and loss of muscle control following the oral intake of pure tea tree oil.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 drops of tea tree oil
- 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil
Recommended Directions:
- Combine olive oil and tea tree oil.
- Apply on painful tooth using a cotton ball.
- Do not swallow tea tree oil.
- Hold it inside your mouth for a few minutes.
- Then spit it out and gargle water.
- Do this procedure once a day until tooth pain disappears for good.
RELATED: 12 Incredible Health Benefits of Tea Tree Oil (Backed by Evidence)
9. Peppermint
Herbal extracts such as peppermint are now making a comeback in dentistry as an antibacterial, antiseptic and analgesic [24].
Phenolic compounds in peppermint are what give it the ability to tone down swelling and pain [25].
When you apply it on the affected area in your mouth, you’ll immediately feel a cooling sensation.
That’s when you know that it’s working in relieving pain and discomfort.
Moreover, it has antibacterial powers that inhibit the growth of oral pathogenic bacteria [26].
For oral intake, you cannot use peppermint essential oil.
Instead, boil peppermint leaves in water, and use this solution for pain relief inside the mouth.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 teaspoons of peppermint leaves
- 1 cup of water
Recommended Directions:
- In a pot over medium heat, boil water for a few minutes.
- Remove from heat and add peppermint leaves.
- Let it steep for 20 minutes.
- Allow it to cool.
- Hold solution in your mouth for 30 to 40 seconds before spitting it out.
- Do the same with the rest of the mixture.
- Use this remedy once a day for one to two weeks.
10. Onion
One of the oldest cultivated plants in the world that’s also famed for its various applications in medicine is onion [27].
A 2012 study in the African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology reports that onion has significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties [28].
Whether by topical application or oral consumption, onion is known to provide pain relief, tone down swelling and prevent infection.
Although the pain and aroma might come off too strong at first, you’ll eventually get used to it.
You may add honey or other natural flavors to mask the taste.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 slice of raw onion
- 1 slice of raw onion, minced
- 1 teaspoon of honey
Recommended Directions:
- Hold onion slice firmly against painful area in your mouth.
- Do this two to three times a day for up to two weeks.
- Combine minced onion and honey.
- Apply on affected area.
- Repeat twice a day until pain is gone.
11. Lavender Oil
In Turkey, lavender has been used for centuries as remedy for numerous ailments [29].
A team of Iranian researchers confirm that oil extracted from lavender contained excellent analgesic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms [30].
As an added bonus, lavender oil has relaxation effects, which can definitely come in handy, since toothache can shoot up levels of stress.
It’s no surprise at all that lavender essential oil is still widely used today as a solution for toothache and gum inflammation.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 to 3 drops of lavender essential oil
Recommended Directions:
- Soak a cotton ball in lavender oil.
- Put it on your sore tooth for three to five minutes.
- Spit out the lavender oil.
- Rinse mouth with warm water.
- Follow this technique once or twice a day for up to one week.
RELATED: 11 Health Benefits of Lavender Oil That You Should Know
Conclusion
Don’t let yourself suffer from the unbearable pain caused by wisdom tooth impaction. Use these natural home remedies and feel better in no time. These are safe and quick way to get rid of pain and swelling.
Just see to it that you follow the directions carefully. Essential oils like tea tree oil and lavender oil for example, cannot be taken orally. Avoid using these on small children who are likely to swallow the oils.
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