Home Remedies and Herbs for Abscessed Tooth (Dental Abscess)

A dental abscess is an infection in or around the root of a tooth,1 or between the gum and the tooth.² 
A dental abscess starts when an infection forms in the center of the tooth, an area called the “pulp chamber.” Bacteria spreads and exits the bottom of the tooth’s root into the bone, creating an abscess filled with bacteria, dead white blood cells, and tissue debris.¹

There are usually two steps to treating a dental abscess:

1. The infection must be cleaned, and may need treatment with antibiotics ^{1 2 3}
2. The space needs to be sealed to prevent more bacteria from entering it ^{2 3}

Abscessed tooth natural remedies can also help to clean out the infection and alleviate pain.

What Causes Abscessed Tooth / Dental Abscess?

There are two primary abscessed tooth causes. Abscessed tooth causes include:

1. Cavities: When a cavity grows and reaches the pulp chamber of a tooth, bacteria can enter through the cavity. This can cause an infection that grows into an abscess.¹
2. Tooth Injury: If a tooth is injured severely enough, an abscessed tooth can form. Injuries can be caused suddenly by a blow to the tooth, or gradually over time by grinding or clenching.¹

Abscessed Tooth / Dental Abscess Symptoms

The primary dental abscess symptoms include pain and inflammation. However, abscess tooth pain isn’t always a symptom. Other dental abscess symptoms include:

• A tooth turning dark in color
• Pain when chewing or pressing on the tooth 
• Swollen gum, jaw, or neck glands 
• Fever, general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling 
• Bitter taste in your mouth or bad smelling breath

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Abscessed Tooth / Dental Abscess

While there are many ways to treat an abscessed tooth, many people prefer natural remedies over common medications.

Here are a few easy abscessed tooth natural remedies to try at home:

• Salt and Warm Water - Gargling with salt and water is one of the most common abscessed tooth natural remedies. Salt water helps to cleanse the infected area while relieving dental abscess symptoms such as pain and discomfort.
• Clove Oil - Clove oil is another one of the most effective abscessed tooth natural remedies for helping to clean dental abscesses, prevent infection and alleviate pain.
• Garlic Powder - To help relieve abscessed tooth symptoms such as pain and inflammation, garlic powder can be applied directly to the affected area.
• Garlic - Garlic has natural antiseptic and pain-relieving health benefits that can alleviate dental abscess symptoms and reduce abscessed tooth pain.
• Tea Bag - Using a tea bag to alleviate pain and swelling caused by a dental abscess is a safe home remedy.
• Coconut Oil - Coconut oil is a safe natural remedy that has anti-inflammatory health benefits. Using coconut oil as a topical treatment can help to alleviate abscessed tooth pain and inflammation.

References

1. http://www.medicinenet.com/abscessed_tooth_guide/article.htm
2. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/abscessed-tooth
3. http://www.aae.org/patients/symptoms/abscessed-teeth.aspx
4. http://www.curesdecoded.com/conditions/Abscessed%20Tooth%20_%20Dental%20Abscess/262