11 Home Remedies to Treat a Tooth Abscess

Home Remedies for Tooth Abscess: How to Treat an Abscessed Tooth at Home Until You See the Dentist

Written by Montoya Sigafoose, founder of Home Remedy Shop · Medically reviewed by Veronique Claes d’Erckenteel, D.C., chiropractor since 1991 · Last reviewed: 23 October 2026

The best home remedies for a tooth abscess give relief while you wait for the dentist. What we’ve used in our family for generations is a piece of gauze filled with salt, tucked exactly where you feel the infection between your gum and cheek, and left in overnight: it dries the area out and the next day the relief can be extreme. Before bed, do oil pulling with coconut oil, and during the day rinse with warm salt water, dab diluted clove oil on the gum and hold a cold compress against your cheek. But a tooth abscess is an infection inside the tooth or gum that home remedies can’t fully clear: you should always see a dentist, ideally within a day or two. Go to the emergency room straight away if your face, eye or neck swells, you have a fever, or you struggle to swallow or breathe.

A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, either inside the tooth (at the tip of the root) or in the gum next to it. It’s one of the most painful things that can happen in your mouth: a deep, throbbing pain that can keep you awake, spread to your ear and jaw, and come with a bad taste and swelling. This guide explains the symptoms of an abscessed tooth, what causes it, its stages and what it looks like, whether you can pop or drain it, how dangerous a tooth infection really is, the strongest natural antibiotics for a tooth infection, and the home remedies that give relief. It’s part of our natural tooth care series; for general tooth pain, see our toothache home remedies, or browse all our natural home remedies.

Table of Contents

• Symptoms From an Abscessed Tooth
• What Causes an Abscessed Tooth?
• Tooth Abscess Stages: What Does an Abscessed Tooth Look Like?
• 9 Home Remedies for Tooth Abscess
• What Is the Strongest Natural Antibiotic for a Tooth Infection?
• Should You Pop or Drain a Tooth Abscess?
• Abscessed Tooth Face Swelling
• Can a Tooth Infection Kill You?
• When You Need a Dentist and Antibiotics
• Gum Abscess: Home Remedies
• Tooth Hygiene and Mineral Care: Prevent the Next One
• Frequently Asked Questions

Symptoms From an Abscessed Tooth

How do you know if you have a tooth abscess? The signs of a tooth infection are usually hard to ignore:

• A severe, constant, throbbing toothache that can spread to the jaw, neck or ear.
• Pain when you bite, chew or tap the tooth.
• Sudden sensitivity to hot and cold.
• A swollen, red, tender gum, sometimes with a pimple-like bump.
• A bad taste or salty, foul fluid in the mouth (the abscess draining), and bad breath.
• Swelling of the cheek, jaw or face.
• Tender, swollen glands under the jaw.
• Fever, feeling unwell, trouble sleeping, and in severe cases difficulty opening the mouth or swallowing.

A tooth abscess can also cause a headache and make you feel generally sick. Sometimes the pain suddenly stops: that can mean the abscess has burst, or that the nerve has died, not that the infection is gone (Burczyńska et al., 2017).

What Causes an Abscessed Tooth?

An abscess forms when bacteria get into a place they shouldn’t be. There are two main types:

• Periapical abscess (at the root tip): bacteria reach the soft pulp inside the tooth through a deep cavity, a crack or chip, or an old, leaking filling. The pulp dies and the infection collects at the tip of the root (Burczyńska et al., 2017). A tooth abscess can even form years after a root canal, if bacteria remain.
• Periodontal (gum) abscess: bacteria collect in a deep gum pocket next to the tooth, usually with gum disease, or when food (like a popcorn husk) gets stuck under the gum (Herrera et al., 2000).

Risk factors: untreated cavities, gum disease, poor oral hygiene, lots of sugar and sticky carbohydrates, dry mouth, smoking, a weakened immune system and diabetes.

Tooth Abscess Stages: What Does an Abscessed Tooth Look Like?

1. Cavity (enamel decay): a dark spot or hole; often no pain yet. See our cavity or stain guide.
2. Decay reaches the dentin: sensitivity to sweet, hot and cold.
3. Pulp inflammation: lingering, throbbing pain, often worse at night (see tooth nerve pain).
4. Abscess: the pulp dies, pus collects at the root tip; pain on biting, swelling, sometimes a gum boil.
5. Spreading infection: swelling of the face or neck, fever: an emergency.

What an abscessed tooth looks like: often a red, swollen gum near the tooth with a small pimple-like bump (a gum boil, or fistula) that may leak pus or a salty fluid. The tooth itself may look darker. Sometimes nothing is visible from the outside and the abscess only shows on an X-ray as a dark area around the root tip.

9 Home Remedies for Tooth Abscess

These remedies help you treat a tooth abscess at home in the moment: easing pain, reducing swelling and keeping bacteria in check until you’re in the dentist’s chair.

1. Overnight salt gauze (our family remedy)

For infected teeth, this is what we’ve used in our family for generations. It’s simple, it costs nothing, and the relief the next morning can be extreme.

• Take a small square of clean gauze and fill it with a teaspoon of coarse or fine salt, folding it into a little pad.
• Place it exactly on the spot where you feel the infection, nicely tucked between your gum and your cheek or lip.
• Leave it there and fall asleep with the gauze in your mouth.
• In the morning, remove it and rinse with warm water.
• Adults only: not for children (choking risk) or anyone who might swallow it in their sleep.

Why it helps: Salt draws fluid out of the swollen tissue (osmosis), so it entirely dries out that area overnight, and the salty environment is hostile to bacteria. There are no studies on the gauze method itself; this is traditional family use. It relieves the pressure and pain, but it doesn’t remove the source of the infection inside the tooth.

2. Coconut oil pulling (before bed and daily)

Before going to bed with the salt gauze, do oil pulling with coconut oil. It helps restore the bacterial balance in your mouth, and it’s something I recommend doing every day anyway.

• Take 1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil (it melts in your mouth).
• Swish it slowly around your mouth and between your teeth for 10 to 20 minutes.
• Spit it into the bin (not the sink, it solidifies), then rinse with warm water.
• Don’t swallow it: it’s full of the bacteria you’ve pulled out.

Why it helps: A systematic review found coconut oil pulling reduces plaque and gum inflammation (Woolley et al., 2020), and it lowered levels of the cavity-causing bacterium Streptococcus mutans in a trial (Kaushik et al., 2016).

3. Warm salt water rinse

The classic dentists’ advice too: a warm salt water rinse cleans the area, soothes the gums and may help a small abscess drain.

• Dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.
• Swish gently around the painful area for 30 seconds, then spit.
• Repeat 3 to 4 times a day and after meals.

Why it helps: Salt water has anti-inflammatory effects on gum tissue in lab research (Collins et al., 2021) and is a first-aid rinse in emergency abscess care (Menegas et al., 2021).

4. Clove oil

Clove is the oldest natural tooth painkiller there is. Its main compound, eugenol, numbs the area and fights bacteria.

• Mix 1 to 2 drops of clove oil in ½ teaspoon of coconut or olive oil.
• Dab on the gum around the tooth with a cotton bud (not on the tongue).
• Or hold a whole clove against the tooth until it softens.
• Use a few times a day; never neat, it can burn the gum. Not for young children.

Why it helps: Clove gel numbed the gums about as well as a standard dental numbing gel in a trial (Alqareer et al., 2006).

5. Garlic

Raw garlic is one of the strongest kitchen antibacterials, thanks to allicin, released when you crush it.

• Crush a fresh garlic clove and wait 1 minute.
• Apply a little of the juice or paste to the gum near the infection for a few minutes, then rinse.
• It can sting and irritate: stop if it burns.

Why it helps: Allicin from garlic is active against common oral bacteria in lab studies (Bachrach et al., 2011).

6. Oregano oil

A strong natural antibacterial that’s popular for gum abscesses.

• Mix 1 drop of oregano oil in 1 teaspoon of coconut oil.
• Dab on the gum around the abscess with a cotton bud, or add to your oil pulling.
• Adults only; never undiluted (it burns), not in pregnancy.

Why it helps: Oregano oil’s carvacrol and thymol are antibacterial in lab studies; there are no trials in tooth abscesses, so think of it as traditional support.

7. Cold compress on the cheek

For an abscessed tooth with face swelling, cold on the outside of the face reduces swelling and dulls the pain.

• Wrap ice or a cold pack in a cloth.
• Hold it against your cheek for 15 minutes, then take a 15-minute break.
• Repeat through the evening. Avoid heat on a swollen face: it can draw the infection outward.

8. Cooled tea bag

A soothing, gently astringent compress from the original version of this article.

• Steep a black, green or peppermint tea bag, let it cool.
• Press it against the gum around the tooth for 10 to 15 minutes.

Why it helps: Tannins in tea are mildly astringent and calming; traditional use.

9. Peppermint oil

Cooling and gently numbing.

• Mix 1 drop of peppermint oil in ½ teaspoon of coconut oil and dab on the gum.
• Or hold a cooled peppermint tea bag against the area.
• Not for children under 6 near the face.

Other traditional remedies from the original version of this article: echinacea tea or tincture to support the immune system, goldenseal, and homeopathic remedies such as Belladonna, Hepar sulphuris and Silicea. These have a long history of use but no research in tooth abscesses. We’ve taken out apple cider vinegar: its acid erodes tooth enamel and can irritate an infected gum.

What Is the Strongest Natural Antibiotic for a Tooth Infection?

The natural antibiotics with the most evidence against mouth bacteria are garlic (allicin), clove (eugenol), oregano oil (carvacrol), coconut oil used for oil pulling, and salt. In the lab, they slow down or kill bacteria; in the mouth, they help keep the area clean and calm.

To be honest: no natural antibiotic, and no antibiotic of any kind on its own, can reach the pocket of pus inside the tooth well enough to cure an abscess. The infection lives in a dead tooth or a deep gum pocket where blood flow is poor. That’s why a dentist needs to drain it and clean out the source. Natural antibiotics are your support, not your treatment. Read more in our guide to natural antibiotics to keep at home.

Should You Pop or Drain a Tooth Abscess?

No, don’t pop a tooth abscess or a gum abscess yourself, and never cut it with a needle or blade. You can push bacteria deeper into the tissue or into the bloodstream, injure the gum, and you’ll only empty the top of the pocket while the source stays.

If it drains or ruptures on its own (you’ll notice a sudden salty or foul taste and the pressure eases): rinse several times with warm salt water, keep the area clean, do your oil pulling, and still see a dentist. Relief after it bursts doesn’t mean the infection has gone.

A dentist drains an abscess properly, either through the gum, through the tooth during a root canal, or by removing the tooth (Menegas et al., 2021).

Abscessed Tooth Face Swelling

Swelling of the cheek or jaw means the infection is spreading beyond the tooth into the soft tissue. To reduce facial swelling from a tooth abscess while you get to the dentist the same day:

• A cold compress on the cheek, 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off.
• Sleep with your head raised on extra pillows.
• Warm salt water rinses and the salt gauze on the gum.
• No heat on the face, and don’t press or massage the swelling.

Go to the emergency room if the swelling spreads towards your eye or down your neck, your jaw feels hard, you have a fever, or it’s hard to swallow, breathe or open your mouth.

Can a Tooth Infection Kill You?

Rarely, but yes, which is why we’re so clear about seeing a dentist. A tooth infection can spread into the deep spaces of the face and neck, the bloodstream (sepsis) or, very rarely, the sinuses and brain (Jevon et al., 2020). One of the most serious complications is Ludwig’s angina, a fast-spreading infection under the tongue and jaw that can block the airway (Bridwell et al., 2021).

How long does it take? There’s no fixed timeline. Most abscesses stay local for weeks, but a spreading infection can become life-threatening within days, especially with diabetes or a weak immune system. Warning signs: a swollen face or neck, fever, a fast heartbeat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and feeling very ill or confused. These need emergency care, not home remedies.

Can a tooth abscess go away on its own? The pain may disappear when the abscess drains or the nerve dies, but the infection usually stays and flares up again. It won’t heal without treatment.

When You Need a Dentist and Antibiotics

Always see a dentist for a tooth abscess. Depending on the tooth, they will:

• Drain the abscess through a small cut in the gum.
• Do a root canal to remove the infected pulp and save the tooth.
• Remove the tooth if it can’t be saved. For aftercare, see our dry socket remedies.

Abscessed tooth antibiotics are not always needed: the treatment is draining and cleaning the source. Your dentist will add antibiotics if the infection is spreading (swelling, fever) or your immune system is weak (Menegas et al., 2021). If you’re given a course, finish it and continue your salt rinses and oil pulling alongside.

Tooth abscess in pregnancy: don’t wait. Dental treatment is safe in pregnancy and an untreated infection is a bigger risk to you and your baby. See also toothache while pregnant; skip oregano and strong essential oils.

Gum Abscess: Home Remedies

A gum abscess (periodontal abscess) is a pus-filled swelling in the gum itself, usually next to a tooth with gum disease or where food got stuck. It often looks like a red or yellowish bump on the gum and may be less painful than an abscess inside the tooth. Natural remedies for a gum abscess:

• Warm salt water rinses 3 to 4 times a day.
• The overnight salt gauze on the bump.
• Coconut oil pulling, with 1 drop of oregano or clove oil added if you like (adults).
• Gently floss around the tooth to remove any trapped food.
• A cooled tea bag against the gum.

Don’t pop a gum abscess: it rarely heals on its own and needs a dentist to clean the pocket. Similar pus-filled lumps on the skin are covered in our boils guide.

Tooth Hygiene and Mineral Care: Prevent the Next One

On another note, healthy tooth hygiene and mineral care are just as important. Most abscesses start with a cavity or gum disease, both of which you can do a lot about at home:

• Brush twice a day gently with a soft brush; floss or use interdental brushes daily.
• Oil pull with coconut oil every day.
• Cut back on sugar and sticky, refined carbohydrates; eat mineral-rich foods (leafy greens, nuts, seeds, fish, bone broth).
• Remineralise: see our guide on how to remineralise teeth and how to naturally remove plaque.
• Stop smoking; drink enough water to avoid a dry mouth.
• See your dentist for check-ups, and early for any new sensitivity or pain.

My daily tooth and gum care

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• Remineralising tooth puddy and toothpaste
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• Use daily to support healthy teeth and gums

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Related Tooth Care Guides

• Toothache home remedies (our main tooth care guide)
• Tooth nerve pain
• Dry socket after tooth removal
• Toothache while pregnant
• Natural antibiotics to keep at home

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best home remedies for a tooth abscess?

Salt-filled gauze tucked on the infected spot overnight, coconut oil pulling before bed, warm salt water rinses, diluted clove oil on the gum and a cold compress on the cheek. They give relief until you see a dentist, which you always should.

How do I know if I have a tooth abscess?

A severe, throbbing toothache, pain when biting, a swollen gum or a pimple-like bump, a bad taste, swelling of the face or jaw, and sometimes fever.

What causes an abscessed tooth?

Bacteria reaching the inside of the tooth through a deep cavity, crack or old filling, or collecting in a deep gum pocket with gum disease.

Can a tooth abscess go away on its own?

The pain can disappear, but the infection usually stays and comes back. It needs a dentist to drain it and treat the source.

Can you pop a tooth abscess?

No. Popping or cutting it can push the infection deeper. If it drains by itself, rinse with warm salt water and still see a dentist.

How long until a tooth infection kills you?

Deaths are rare and there’s no fixed timeline, but a spreading infection can become dangerous within days. Facial or neck swelling, fever, or trouble swallowing or breathing need emergency care.

What is the strongest natural antibiotic for a tooth infection?

Garlic, clove, oregano oil, coconut oil pulling and salt have the most evidence against mouth bacteria. They support healing but can’t cure an abscess without a dentist.

How do you reduce facial swelling from a tooth abscess?

A cold compress on the cheek, sleeping with your head raised and salt rinses, and see a dentist the same day. Swelling near the eye or neck is an emergency.

Do you need antibiotics for an abscessed tooth?

Not always. The main treatment is draining it and treating the tooth. Antibiotics are added when the infection is spreading or your immune system is weak.

Recommended

• Toothache Home Remedies
• 15 Natural Antibiotics to Keep at Home
• How to Remineralise Teeth
• More natural home remedies

Some links on this page are affiliate links, marked as such. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This article is for general information and does not replace a diagnosis from a qualified professional. Read our medical disclaimer or browse more natural remedies.

Veronique Cleas D'erckenteel

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