A toothache is one of the worst pains you can feel. It throbs, it shoots sharp pains into your ear, and it can make it impossible to sleep or eat. When you have a tooth infection (also called an abscess), it means bacteria have gotten deep inside your tooth or gum. Your face may swell, and you may feel desperate for relief.

Many people are seeking alternative ways to treat this infection at home. You cannot get to a dentist right away, or you want to avoid prescription drugs. You might be wondering: Is there a natural antibiotic strong enough to fix this?

Overview

The strongest natural antibiotic for a tooth infection is generally considered to be garlic, specifically a compound inside it called allicin. Other powerful natural options include clove oil and salt water. However, it is vital to understand the difference between “soothing pain” and “curing an infection.” While natural remedies can kill bacteria on the surface and reduce swelling, they cannot reach an infection deep inside the jawbone.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a true tooth abscess will not resolve on its own and usually requires professional dental treatment to prevent it from spreading to the brain or heart.

What the science says

Scientists have studied plants for centuries. They know that many plants have “antimicrobial” properties, which means they can kill germs. Nevertheless, treating a tooth is different than treating a cut on your skin.

A tooth infection typically occurs in the pulp (the center of the tooth) or at the root tip, deep in the bone. According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), natural agents such as garlic extract are effective against Streptococcus mutans, the primary bacterium that causes cavities. But these studies are mostly done in petri dishes (in a lab), not inside a human jaw.

Science shows that while natural remedies can reduce bacteria and inflammation in the mouth, they cannot penetrate tooth enamel to kill the infection at the source.

If you are stuck waiting for your dentist appointment, you do not have to suffer in silence. These natural remedies serve as a helpful “stopgap” to manage the infection and reduce your pain while you wait. However, please remember that these are only temporary fixes and they cannot replace proper medical treatment.

Garlic (Allicin)

Garlic has been used for centuries as a potent medicinal agent, primarily due to its high allicin content. This organosulfur compound is released only when garlic cloves are chopped, crushed or chewed, serving as a natural defense mechanism for the plant. In oral health, allicin is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial that can effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria responsible for dental plaque and painful infections.

While garlic is highly effective, it is also quite caustic. The same compounds that kill bacteria can cause chemical burns on the delicate soft tissues of your mouth if left in contact for too long. Limit application to a few minutes, and if you feel an intense stinging sensation, rinse your mouth immediately with warm water.

Clove oil (Eugenol)

Clove oil stands out as one of the most reliable home remedies for dental discomfort, largely due to its high eugenol content. This chemical compound acts as a natural anesthetic and antiseptic, numbing the nerves in the tooth while reducing inflammation. When applied, eugenol temporarily blocks pain signals from reaching the brain, providing almost instantaneous relief from the throbbing sensations associated with cavities or gum sensitivity.

According to experts at the Cleveland Clinic, while clove oil is an excellent temporary measure for fighting germs and dulling pain, it is not a permanent fix for underlying dental issues such as abscesses or deep decay. It is a bridge to get you through the night until you can see a professional.

Salt water rinse

A saltwater rinse is perhaps the most accessible and “tried-and-true” method for managing oral discomfort. Its effectiveness lies in the principle of osmosis: the salt increases the salinity of the environment in your mouth, which draws out excess fluid from inflamed tissues and creates a hypertonic environment where harmful bacteria struggle to survive. This process effectively reduces swelling and soothes irritated gums.

Simply mix half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Swish it around in your mouth for two minutes, then spit it out. Try to do this four or five times a day.

Oil pulling

Oil pulling is an old practice of rinsing your mouth with coconut or sesame oil. It works because the oil contains active ingredients that kill harmful bacteria, as noted by the National Institutes of Health. To do this, swish a tablespoon of oil around in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes. When you are finished, be sure to dispose of the oil in the trash can, as it can clog your sink pipes if you pour it down the drain.

“Knowing quickly which organism is causing the problem can enable clinicians to target the antibiotic that can best combat that bacteria, and that is where our new imaging system could make a difference,” says  Alvaro Ordonez, a pediatrician.

Risks and safety considerations

Trying to treat a serious infection at home can be very dangerous. The biggest risk is that bacteria can move from your tooth into your jaw, neck or even your brain. This severe condition is called sepsis, and it can be deadly.

You also need to be careful not to hurt your gums with strong remedies. Putting things like aspirin, raw garlic or pure alcohol directly on your gums can cause a chemical burn. This kills the healthy skin in your mouth and makes the pain much worse. Using home remedies can trick you. They might make the pain stop for a day or two, so you think you are better. However, the infection persists, and the bacteria continue to silently eat away at your jawbone while you wait.

Never put a heating pad on a swollen face due to a toothache. Heat draws blood to the area, which can make the infection spread faster and cause swelling. Always apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.

Alternatives for treating a tooth infection

While natural remedies are effective for minor issues, they cannot cure every infection. If your symptoms do not get better or start to feel worse, you need to seek professional medical help immediately. A healthcare provider can prescribe stronger medication, such as antibiotics, to ensure you heal safely and completely.

Antibiotics

When a localized dental infection (often called an abscess) begins to spread, home remedies are no longer sufficient. In these cases, a dentist will transition from topical relief to systemic treatment by prescribing antibiotics. These medications are designed to circulate throughout your bloodstream, allowing them to reach the root of the tooth and the surrounding jawbone to eliminate bacteria that topical treatments cannot reach.

Amoxicillin or Penicillin are the most frequent choices due to their effectiveness against common oral pathogens. For patients with a Penicillin allergy, the Mayo Clinic notes that dentists often turn to Clindamycin or Azithromycin as powerful alternatives.

Root canal therapy

Root canal therapy is a restorative procedure often misunderstood as a source of pain, when in reality, it is the primary method used to eliminate pain and save a tooth that would otherwise require extraction. When the “pulp” – the soft tissue inside your tooth containing nerves and blood vessels – becomes infected due to deep decay or trauma, the tooth can no longer heal itself. Without this intervention, the infection can spread to the jawbone, leading to tooth loss and systemic health issues. Because a tooth is more brittle after the living pulp is removed, most dentists recommend placing a dental crown. This protective “cap” reinforces the tooth’s structure, allowing it to function normally for decades.

Extraction

When a tooth has undergone extensive trauma, severe decay, or advanced periodontal disease, root canal therapy may no longer be a viable option. In these circumstances, a dental extraction (the complete removal of the tooth from its socket in the alveolar bone) becomes the most effective course of action. While the goal of modern dentistry is always to preserve natural teeth, an extraction is sometimes the only way to halt the spread of a dangerous infection and prevent it from migrating to the jaw or neighboring teeth.

What are the symptoms of a tooth infection spreading?

You need to know when a toothache becomes a medical emergency. If the germs escape your tooth, you will often run a fever over 100.4°F (38°C). Your face might change shape as well. Your cheek, jaw or neck may become swollen. You might also feel hard, sore bumps under your jaw where your glands are.

You may feel unwell, as if you have the flu. It is common to feel tired, dizzy or weak as your body fights the illness. The most dangerous sign is difficulty breathing or swallowing. This means the swelling is closing your throat. If this happens, you must go to the hospital immediately. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, these signs mean the infection is systemic (in your whole body).

How long will a tooth hurt before the nerve dies?

Tooth pain usually starts small and gets worse in stages. At first, you might only feel a sharp sting when you drink something cold. Later, this often turns into a dull ache that bothers you mostly at night. When the feeling turns into a severe, throbbing pain, it’s a serious warning that the nerve inside your tooth is dying. You need to pay attention to this change, as it indicates the tooth is in serious trouble.

Eventually, the nerve dies completely (necrosis). When this happens, the pain might stop suddenly, leading one to believe everything is as normal. However, it is not healed. The nerve is dead, so it cannot feel pain, but the infection is still spreading into the bone. The pain will usually come back later as a severe abscess.

Bottom line

As explained by Dr. Justus Rabach, MD, “While garlic, clove oil, turmeric, coconut oil and saltwater rinses all show potential, none should be used as a sole treatment for serious infections. They can provide short-term relief and may support healing, but professional dental care is essential to resolve the issue and avoid complications fully.”

Natural remedies are best used as temporary relief while you wait for a dentist appointment. Relying solely on natural remedies for an abscess can lead to serious complications, such as bone loss or infection spread, so professional treatment is always necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the ER give for tooth pain?

The emergency room cannot fix teeth (they do not do fillings or root canals), but they can give you antibiotics to stop the spread of infection and stronger pain medication to help you sleep until you see a dentist.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for a toothache?

This is a common method for taking over-the-counter pain meds: take three Advil (Ibuprofen) (600mg total), three times a day, for three days to manage severe inflammation (always check with your doctor first to make sure this dose is safe for you).

Which painkiller is best for a severe toothache?

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) or Naproxen (Aleve) are usually more effective than Tylenol because they reduce the swelling that increases pressure and pain.

Citations

Mayo Clinic. Tooth abscess – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic. www.mayoclinic.org. Published June 29, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tooth-abscess/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350907

Bayan L, Koulivand PH, Gorji A. Garlic: A review of potential therapeutic effects. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine. 2014;4(1):1-14.

Cleveland Clinic. Do Cloves Have Health Benefits? Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-cloves

Naseem M, Khiyani MF, Nauman H, Zafar MS, Shah AH, Khalil HS. Oil pulling and the importance of traditional medicine in oral health maintenance. International Journal of Health Sciences. 2017;11(4):65. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5654187/

Johns Hopkins Medicine. Image of the Month: Bacterial Sweet Tooth. Hopkinsmedicine.org. Published 2021. Accessed February 3, 2026. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/articles/2021/10/image-of-the-month-bacterial-sweet-tooth

Mayo Clinic. Tooth abscess – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Published 2019. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tooth-abscess/symptoms-causes/syc-20350901

Johns Hopkins Medicine. Sensitive Teeth: Why They Hurt and How to Stop the Pain. www.hopkinsmedicine.org. Published March 1, 2024. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/sensitive-teeth