How to Use Garlic for Tooth Abscess, Gum Infection and Pain

A toothache can hit you anytime anywhere and leave you almost helpless in agonizing pain. Toothaches are most often a sign of an underlying issue, such as a cavity, an abscessed or cracked tooth, a decaying tooth or infected gums. Depending on the problem, the pain can cascade quickly to your entire jaw.

For years, we have been made to understand that the only way to deal with tooth-related trouble is to see a dentist, hoard up on antibiotics and then get a hole drilled into the tooth to fix it – of course, paying a hefty fee for all of this. What the dentist doesn’t tell you is that tooth-related problems can easily be treated naturally at home using just a single ingredient – garlic.

Garlic is a kitchen staple so powerful that no infection or toothache stands a chance in front of its might.

The sulfur compound called allicin, released upon crushing the garlic, has potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a revered medicinal plant across the globe. It is the same compound responsible for garlic’s strong odor and that embarrassing garlic breath after indulging in tasty dishes containing garlic.

When using garlic for tooth problems, it can be used as is or its efficacy can be increased by adding other ingredients and then applying it topically for quick relief.

We have for you five different ways in which you can use garlic for tooth abscess, gum infection and pain while simultaneously also curing the underlying cause without even stepping out of your home. Unless you’ve run out of garlic!

If there is no improvement after 3 to 4 days of using any of these remedies, visit your dentist for a thorough checkup and treatment.

Note: If you are pregnant or a breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using garlic for home remedies. Also, it is important to do a patch test first, as some people may be allergic to garlic.

Method 1: Plain Garlic

Chomping on a garlic clove is the easiest way to get relief from an aching tooth. Plain garlic, when crushed, will release allicin that works as the antimicrobial agent on the pathogens invading the tooth.

A 2013 study published in AYU (a quarterly journal of research in Ayurveda) provides evidence that garlic inhibits the growth of periodontal pathogens and can be used as a therapeutic agent for oral infections.

The anti-inflammatory property of garlic will also bring down swelling and pain within minutes.

You can use a garlic clove or garlic powder.

# Garlic Clove

Single-Step Treatment: Crush a garlic clove with your teeth to release its healing juice

• Peel the papery skin off a garlic clove.
• Place the garlic over the affected tooth and slowly crush it between your teeth to release its juices.
• Continue to press it a couple of times and hold it over the tooth for a few minutes. The released juice may sting a little, but it will shrink the abscess (if any) and reduce the pain drastically.
• Spit out the garlic and rinse your mouth with warm water.

Chewing on a garlic clove will bring relief with 10 to 15 minutes. Do it 2 or 3 times every day until you get relief and the infection clears up.

# Garlic Powder

Single-Step Treatment: Apply garlic powder on the aching tooth

• Dip a damp cotton swab in garlic powder.
• Apply the garlic powder on the aching tooth. It will sting a bit but should be bearable after a few seconds.
• Let the garlic powder work on the tooth for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Once the pain recedes, rinse your mouth with warm salt water.

Repeat 2 or 3 times daily to get relief from a toothache.

Method 2: Garlic Mouthwash

If suffering from a debilitating toothache, ditch that bottle of blue- or green-colored mouthwash. Most commercial mouthwashes contain alcohol that will only add to the irritation of an already aching tooth.

Whether it is a dental cavity or infected teeth and gums, using a homemade mouthwash with garlic juice, salt and warm water can bring immense relief and also prevent the infection from spreading.

According to a 2014 study, published in Ancient Science of Life, a mouthwash made using garlic extract is as effective as a chlorhexidine mouthwash to control the growth of salivary microorganisms.

Things you’ll need:

• Garlic juice (anti-inflammatory) – 1 teaspoon
• Table salt (antiseptic) – 1 teaspoon
• Warm distilled water – ½ cup
  

Single-Step Method: Mix garlic juice and salt in warm water & use as a mouthwash

• Add 1 teaspoon of garlic juice to ½ cup of warm distilled water.
• Add 1 teaspoon of table salt to it.
• Stir well to blend the ingredients in the water.
• Transfer the solution to an airtight bottle and let it cool down.
• Take a mouthful of the homemade mouthwash and swish it around the affected tooth or gum for 1 minute.
• Spit it out and rinse your mouth with plain water.

Repeat 3 or 4 times a day to use garlic for tooth abscess, gum infection and pain.

Method 3: Garlic, Black Pepper & Salt

Another way to use garlic for tooth abscess, gum infection and pain is to combine it with some black pepper powder and salt and apply it as a poultice over the aching tooth.

The black pepper works as an analgesic to bring down pain, while also boosting garlic’s antimicrobial properties. The salt helps draw excess fluid out of the infected tooth or gums, thus reducing inflammation.

Things you’ll need:  

• Black pepper powder (analgesic) – 1 teaspoon
• Table salt (antiseptic) – 1 teaspoon
• Garlic, crushed (antimicrobial) – 1 tablespoon

Single-Step Treatment: Apply a mix of garlic, salt and black pepper on the affected tooth

• Put 1 tablespoon of crushed garlic in a bowl.
• Add 1 teaspoon each of black pepper powder and table salt to it.
• Mix them well.
• Use a cotton swab to apply the mixture on the affected tooth.
• Let it sit for a few minutes, until the pain subsides.
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.

Repeat twice daily for 4 to 5 days to treat tooth-related troubles.

Method 4: Garlic Soak

A garlic soak made of clove oil and garlic juice is a powerful mixture to treat an abscessed tooth. Clove oil is a potent antimicrobial that will leave a numbing effect on the applied area and provide temporary pain relief, while the garlic juice fights off the infection.

 Things you’ll need:  

• Clove essential oil (pain reliever) – ½ teaspoon
• Garlic cloves, peeled and crushed (antibacterial) – 4 or 5

Step 1. Extract the garlic juice

• Use a garlic press to crush 4 or 5 peeled garlic cloves and collect it in a bowl.
• Place the crushed garlic on a cheesecloth and bundle it up.
• Twist and squeeze the cheesecloth to extract 1 teaspoon of garlic juice.

Step 2. Add clove oil to the garlic juice and apply it on the aching tooth  

• Add ½ teaspoon of clove essential oil to 1 teaspoon of garlic juice.
• Soak a sterile cotton ball in the solution and place it over the abscessed tooth.
• Let it sit for 10 minutes, then remove the cotton.
• Rinse your mouth with a salt solution if the garlic solution feels too strong.

Use this garlic soak 2 or 3 times a day for 4 to 5 days or longer, until the abscessed tooth is healed completely.

Method 5: Garlic & Rock Salt (for a Tooth Cavity)

Rock salt is a natural form of salt obtained by evaporating sea water. Since it is unprocessed, it retains the maximum amount of minerals. Combining rock salt with garlic will help to get rid of cavities and heal tooth decay; the salt will also help replenish minerals in the eroded tooth.

Things you’ll need:

• Garlic, crushed (antimicrobial) – 1 teaspoon
• Rock salt (remineralizes teeth) – ¼ teaspoon

Single-Step Treatment: Mix garlic with rock salt and apply

• Add ¼ teaspoon of rock salt to 1 teaspoon of crushed garlic.
• Mix the two well.
• Apply it over the cavity.
• Leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse your mouth with warm water.

Repeat 2 times daily to stop tooth decay and heal a cavity in 2 to 3 weeks.

Tips

• To avoid tooth trouble, maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice daily and also clean your tongue regularly.
• Use a dental floss daily to remove debris stuck between your teeth.
• If you suffer from frequent toothaches or have cavities, reduce your intake of sugary foods.
• Consuming raw garlic every day will boost your body’s immunity. If the strong taste of garlic is an aversion, you can consult your doctor about taking garlic supplements.
• Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every day to reduce the acid buildup in your mouth and increase saliva production.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4389398/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3968712/