DIY Clove Oil for Toothache
Toothache pain ranges from a mild, occasional twinge to something that stops you from eating or sleeping. Knowing roughly what’s behind it helps you decide whether a home remedy like clove oil is a reasonable first step, or whether you need to get to a dentist right away.
One of the go-to home remedies for mild tooth pain is an OTC eugenol oil, popularly known as oil of cloves. Clove oil is a natural anesthetic that numbs the pain and reduces the swelling of the gums when applied topically.
Causes of Toothache
Toothache, no matter how mild, can be very disorienting. In fact, it usually gets in the way of your work and may even affect your diet. Moreover, the pain is sometimes continuous and can also cause headaches.
Dental problems like cavities, abscesses, cracked teeth, and gum infections are common causes of tooth pain. The radiating pain may also be due to a sinus infection or teeth grinding.
Clove oil and other home remedies are appropriate for mild, temporary tooth pain while you arrange a dental visit, not for the situations below. See a dentist urgently, or go to an emergency room, if you have any of the following:
- Fever or chills alongside the tooth pain
- Visible swelling in your face, jaw, or neck
- Pain severe enough that it wakes you up or stops you from eating
- A foul taste or discharge coming from the tooth or gum
- Difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth fully
- Pain that lasts more than a day or two despite home care
These can be signs of a spreading infection or abscess, which needs professional treatment and sometimes antibiotics, not just pain relief.
Clove Oil for Managing Tooth Pain
Clove oil for toothache is extracted from cloves (Syzygium aromaticum), an aromatic spice for flavoring foods and teas.
Eugenol, a chemical compound, can be found in other spices like cinnamon but it is most abundant in clove oil. It is responsible for the aroma and powerful therapeutic properties of cloves.
Clove oil for toothache has been used since the 16th century for treating dental caries and several other dental problems. It became widely used in dentistry in 1858 for pain relief and as a topical analgesic for various pains. During that time, it was the preferred oil for toothache pain, helping millions to feel better and lessen the discomfort they felt.
Eugenol is a volatile compound and is considered the most effective herbal relief for pain because of these medicinal properties:
Analgesic
Clove oil extract possesses excellent analgesic or painkilling properties. A study using acetic acid tests and thermal methods proved the antinociceptive activity of eugenol. It works by numbing the pain receptors to remove the sensation and ease toothache and body pains.
Clove is one of the herbal topical anesthetics being studied and explored as a potential local anesthesia for dental procedures.
Anti-Inflammatory
The eugenol found in cloves, the active ingredient, is a powerful natural compound known for its ability to reduce inflammation and ease pain. It’s especially helpful for relieving toothaches, minimizing swelling, and soothing discomfort after dental procedures.
But let’s look beyond the surface.
Imagine a mild toothache—barely noticeable. Meanwhile, hidden inflammation is quietly allowing harmful bacteria to travel through your body. Left untreated, this can contribute to serious health problems like infections, heart disease, and even strokes. Managing inflammation isn’t just about pain relief—it’s about protecting your long-term health.
Your diet plays a major role in how your body responds to inflammation. An anti-inflammatory approach doesn’t just help your gums or ease a sore tooth—it strengthens your entire system.
Whole foods like leafy greens, berries, and turmeric can reduce swelling, support faster healing, and lower your risk of chronic illnesses such as arthritis and cardiovascular disease. Think of it as giving your body the natural tools it needs to stay balanced—from your mouth all the way down to your gut and heart.
I felt less sluggish, my gums weren’t as sensitive, and even my skin looked better. It’s incredible how small changes—like adding more greens and cutting back on processed foods—can make such a big difference in how your whole body feels and heals.
Wound Healing
Clove promotes faster wound healing with its flavonoids and alkaloid compounds. A non-human clinical test showed accelerated healing in the clove oil test group compared to betadine. It may be used to speed up the healing of wounds or gums.
How to Make DIY Clove Oil for Toothache
There are two ways to make this at home: infusing whole cloves in a carrier oil, or diluting pure clove essential oil. The infusion is gentler and more forgiving for a first attempt; the essential oil version is faster but requires careful dilution, covered in the safety section below.
Method 1: Whole Clove Infusion
This is the more traditional version and the safer starting point if you’ve never worked with clove oil before.
- What you’ll need: 2 tablespoons whole cloves, 1/2 cup olive oil (or coconut or almond oil), a small saucepan or double boiler, a fine strainer or cheesecloth, a small dark glass bottle with a tight lid.
- Lightly crush the whole cloves with the back of a spoon or a mortar and pestle to help release their oils.
- Combine the crushed cloves and carrier oil in a small saucepan. Warm over the lowest possible heat for 20 to 30 minutes, never letting it simmer or bubble. A double boiler makes this easier to control.
- Remove from heat and let the mixture cool completely, then let it sit, covered, for 24 to 48 hours to continue infusing.
- Strain out the cloves through a fine strainer or cheesecloth, pressing gently to extract the last of the oil.
- Pour the strained oil into a small dark glass bottle and label it with the date.
Method 2: Diluted Clove Essential Oil
This version is faster since there’s no infusing time, but it starts from a far more concentrated product, so getting the dilution right matters.
- What you’ll need: pure clove essential oil, a carrier oil (olive, coconut, or almond oil), a small dark glass bottle, a measuring spoon.
- Add no more than 1 drop of clove essential oil per teaspoon (5 mL) of carrier oil. Do not increase this ratio, since undiluted or overly concentrated clove oil applied directly to gum tissue can cause a chemical burn.
- Mix well and store in the dark glass bottle.
How to Apply It
- Dip a clean cotton ball or swab into the diluted oil.
- Dab it directly onto the affected tooth and surrounding gum, avoiding the tongue and inner cheek where possible.
- Leave it in place for a few minutes rather than rinsing immediately.
- Use no more than a few times a day, and stop if you notice any burning, irritation, or increased sensitivity.
Sourcing and Storage
For the infusion method, ordinary whole cloves from the spice aisle work fine; there’s no special grade needed since you’re diluting them in oil yourself. For the essential oil method, look specifically for 100% pure clove bud essential oil (Syzygium aromaticum) with nothing else added. Some bottles labeled “clove oil” near toothache remedies are actually fragrance oil or a pre-diluted blend, which won’t give you a reliable, known concentration to work with.
Store your finished oil, either version, in a dark glass bottle away from heat and direct light, which helps it keep its potency. Used this way, it typically stays good for 6 to 12 months. Label the bottle with the date you made it, and discard it if it develops an off smell or the color changes noticeably.
Safety Precautions for Using Clove Oil
Clove oil is genuinely effective for tooth pain, and it’s also more potent than its kitchen-spice reputation suggests. A few precautions make the difference between a safe home remedy and a trip to urgent care.
Important Safety Notes
Never apply undiluted clove essential oil directly to the gums or skin. Concentrated eugenol, the main compound in clove oil, can cause chemical burns and tissue irritation on contact.
Never swallow clove oil, and keep it well out of reach of children and pets. The Tennessee Poison Center reports that in infants and small children, oil of cloves has caused serious toxicity, including seizures, liver damage, and metabolic acidosis, from as little as 5 to 10 milliliters, and it specifically advises against using clove oil for teething in children under age 2.
In adults, swallowing as little as 10 milliliters can cause serious harm. UF Health notes that clove oil overdose can cause burns in the mouth and throat, liver failure, seizures, and breathing problems, and advises calling Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (in the US) immediately if it’s swallowed in any significant amount, even accidentally.
Avoid clove oil if you take blood-thinning medication or have a bleeding disorder, since eugenol can affect how blood clots. Check with your doctor or pharmacist first if this applies to you.
Talk to your dentist before using clove oil ahead of any dental procedure or surgery for the same reason.
Do a small patch test on your inner arm 24 hours before your first use on your gums, since some people develop an allergic or sensitized reaction to eugenol with repeated exposure.
Avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless your doctor has specifically approved it, since safety data in this context is limited.
This remedy is for temporary relief only. It does not treat the underlying cause of a toothache, whether that’s a cavity, an infection, or a cracked tooth, and it is not a substitute for seeing a dentist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the numbing effect last?
Most people feel relief within a minute or two, and it typically lasts one to two hours before it starts to wear off. Reapply as needed, but stay within a few applications per day.
Can I just bite on a whole clove instead of making oil?
Yes, this is an old, simple version of the same remedy. Place a whole clove against the painful tooth and gently bite down to release its oils, or crush one and hold it against the area. It’s a reasonable option if you don’t have time to make the oil version, though it’s harder to control the dose than a diluted oil.
Is clove oil safe for children?
Only under a dentist’s or doctor’s guidance, and never for children under 2. As noted above, poison control data shows that clove oil has caused serious toxicity in infants and small children at very small amounts. Ask your child’s dentist for an age-appropriate alternative instead.
Can I use clove oil every day?
It’s meant for short-term, occasional relief while you arrange dental care, not as a daily long-term routine. Frequent, repeated use raises the risk of gum irritation and sensitization. If you’re reaching for it daily, that’s a sign the underlying problem needs a dentist’s attention.
Is it safe during pregnancy?
Check with your doctor first. Safety data on clove oil during pregnancy is limited, so it’s not something to start using on your own while pregnant or breastfeeding
In the 1960’s I leaned about clove. I worked for a dentist and they used a clove salve to rub on the gums. Years later I had a tooth ache so I just went into my spices, pulled out a clove and bit on it where my tooth ache was, it numbed it very well, until I could get to the dentist, so you don’t have to go through all the trouble of making anything.
Where is the recipe???