Natural Toothache Pain Relief for Your Child

At the first sign of a toothache, check for obvious problems. Floss to remove stuck food pieces, check for a loose tooth, and inspect for any mouth injuries. Next, you can work to reduce symptoms until getting in to see the dentist.

An important step in relieving tooth pain is reducing oral swelling. If your child is old enough to swish and spit, they can use a warm saltwater solution to reduce inflammation, advises the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). Mix a teaspoon of regular table salt into a small cup of warm water and have them swish it around every part of their mouth.

Next, you can apply a cold compress to the outside of your child's cheek, close to the sore area. A cold compress will cause the blood vessels in the area to constrict, making the pain less severe. Wrap a gel-style frozen compress or a bag of ice in a soft towel and help your child hold it in place to reduce pressure and swelling inside the mouth.

Clove oil can also work as a pain reliever and antibacterial for toothaches. Make sure to dilute the clove oil with something food-safe like almond oil. Use a cotton swab to gently dab it on the affected area around the tooth. Keep in mind that clove oil can have an unpleasant taste and side effects if eaten, so it should only be used for older children who won't swallow any. If you don't have any clove oil, check your pharmacy for a child-safe over-the-counter oral medication containing clove oil as an active ingredient.

Peppermint has numbing and antibacterial properties that can help to soothe toothache pain and reduce bacterial irritation. You can make your child a peppermint tea by steeping peppermint leaves in hot water for around 20 minutes. Encourage them to swish the peppermint tea around the mouth before drinking (or spitting out, if they don’t want to drink it). You can also get your child to hold a wet peppermint tea bag, or a cotton ball with a few drops of peppermint oil, against the affected area.

Garlic contains powerful antibacterial compounds that have been used medicinally for centuries, and may show promise for treating oral problems like toothache. Crush up a clove of garlic, mix with a little water to make a paste, and then rub it on to the affected tooth and gum and leave for around 10 minutes. If your child is willing, you can also get them to chew on a garlic clove for a couple of minutes, but understandably not all kids can be persuaded to do this!

This golden spice is an ancient medicinal staple thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory powers, and is a popular natural remedy for toothache. Mix turmeric and a little water to make a paste, then rub it into the affected area and leave for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can mix turmeric with boiling water, leave to cool, then have your child use it as a mouth rinse.

Chamomile is known to have anti-inflammatory properties that may help to reduce swelling and pain from toothaches. As with peppermint tea, you can have your child swish with chamomile tea, or hold a wet chamomile tea bag on the affected area as a compress. Putting the tea bag in the refrigerator first can help to cool and numb the area for extra relief.

Ginger is another natural medicinal staple with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, used to soothe everything from stomach aches to nausea and, of course, toothache! If possible, encourage your child to chew on a small piece of fresh ginger root with the affected tooth until the ginger is soft, then spit it out. If they’re not on board with this, you can also mash ginger into a paste and rub it into the affected area.

Thanks to its excellent cooling, anti-inflammatory qualities, aloe vera gel is the first thing we reach for to soothe sunburnt skin. Factor in its antibacterial qualities, too, and it also offers great relief from toothache pain. Chill in the fridge and then gently massage into the affected area.

Toothache pain can be caused by a variety of issues, including infections, an injury, a loose tooth, tooth decay, or impacted food particles. A dentist will be able to identify the cause of the pain and recommend a solution. But until you can schedule an appointment, these natural solutions should help ease your child's discomfort.

It's important not to ignore tooth pain, even though your child might appear momentarily at ease. Get into the dentist as soon as possible since a dental procedure or prescription medication might be needed to treat the symptoms adequately.

Most importantly, don't worry. You're equipped with home remedies to comfort your child's toothache and get them smiling again in no time!

Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider.