The short answer
Yes, for a short while. Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural numbing agent, so a small amount of diluted oil dabbed on the sore tooth can dull the pain within minutes. It doesn’t treat the cause, such as decay, a crack or an infection, so it only buys time until you see a dentist.
How do you use clove oil on a toothache safely?
- Dilute it. Mix one or two drops of clove oil into about a teaspoon of olive or coconut oil.
- Dab, don’t soak. Dip a cotton swab or a small piece of cotton in the mix and hold it on the sore tooth for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Keep it off your gums and cheek as much as you can. Undiluted oil can burn the soft tissue in your mouth.
- Spit, don’t swallow. Rinse with water afterward.
- Stop if it burns, stings or makes you feel sick.
Use clove oil sold for oral use at a pharmacy. Whole cloves are milder: hold one gently next to the tooth, but don’t bite down on it if the tooth is cracked.
How long does clove oil relief last?
Usually a short time. Most people feel it numb within a few minutes, and the effect fades as the oil is diluted by saliva. You can reapply it a few times a day, but needing it for more than a day or two is a sign the tooth needs treatment. For other ways to ease the pain, read what to do for a toothache at home.
Is clove oil good for a toothache, or just numbing?
It’s numbing. Eugenol, the main compound in clove oil, is used by dentists in some temporary fillings and dressings because it calms irritated tissue. One small study found a clove gel numbed as well as a standard numbing gel, though that was for needle pain rather than toothache. Clove oil isn’t approved as a toothache treatment, and it can’t reach the cause of the pain.
Can clove oil treat a tooth infection?
No. An infected tooth needs a dentist to drain the infection and treat or remove the tooth. Swelling in your face or gum, a pimple on the gum, a bad taste or a fever are signs of infection. Our emergency dentistry page explains what to do. Go to the emergency room if swelling spreads to your eye or neck, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing.
Who should not use clove oil?
- Anyone allergic to clove oil or eugenol, or to balsam of Peru.
- People with mouth sores, burns or very sore gums near the tooth.
Keep the bottle out of reach at home: swallowing clove oil can cause serious harm, even in small amounts. If someone swallows it, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Clove oil questions
Can I put clove oil directly on my tooth?
Only diluted. Neat clove oil can burn your gums and the inside of your cheek.
Can I use clove oil after a tooth extraction?
Don’t put it in the socket yourself. If the socket is very painful a few days later, call us: dentists use a medicated dressing for dry socket.
Do whole cloves work as well as clove oil?
They work more gently and more slowly. Hold one next to the tooth rather than chewing it.
Toothache that won’t settle? Call 845-336-5855 or book an appointment.
