An Intro to Essential Oils for Tooth Pain, Whitening and Grinding
Tooth pain and problems can get in the way of daily living. Simple tasks such as eating and drinking can turn into painful chores. While some types of pain may be easily healed, others can quickly become much worse if no efforts are made to get to the root of the problem.
There are many different ways to get rid of tooth pain, however using essential oils for teeth may prove to be a powerful all-natural option.
Not all tooth issues are bad, though. Teeth whitening is a popular treatment for many, though it can be costly and abrasive to the teeth. Essential oils may offer an all-natural and safe solution for the teeth whitening process, as well as relieve pain.
In fact, using essential oils for oral care may be an effective and affordable solution no matter your issue.
Want to learn more about essential oils? Get our FREE Video Series here
Essential Oils for Tooth Pain
Tooth pain can come from a variety of causes, however, many of them can be traced back to an excess of bacteria, which often causes inflammation and pain. If left untreated, the bacteria can lead to tooth decay or infection.1 Essential oils for tooth infection or decay may help eliminate the problem in a safe and natural way.
Finding the best essential oils for dental care depends on your particular symptoms and ailments. No matter which essential oils for tooth decay you choose, they will all likely first treat bacterial growth and inflammation.
Using essential oils for toothache pain must be done with caution, though. Never ingest essential oils and always apply carefully. Read the instructions carefully and stop using essential oils for oral health if more pain or irritation is caused.
How to Use Clove Oil for Tooth Infection
The potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of clove essential oil have been long recommended as a powerful ingredient for all-natural mouthwash. According to one study, patients who used clove essential oil in their mouthwash had reduced plaque after four weeks of use.2 Because of its known antimicrobial and plaque-fighting qualities, it serves as one of the best essential oils for tooth infection.
To make an antiseptic essential oil mouth rinse, mix 20 drops of clove essential oil with 1 cup of water. Shake vigorously and then take a small amount into your mouth. Swish the mixture around your mouth for 15 to 30 seconds and spit out into sink. Repeat daily.
How to Use Peppermint Oil for Toothache
Using peppermint oil for teeth can be especially helpful for toothaches related to nerve pain. One notable benefit of peppermint essential oil is that it can soothe nerve pain when applied topically.
It also has antiviral, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties that may help reduce any potential infection that could be causing pain. The cooling sensation of peppermint essential oil may also provide numbing relief when applied topically.
To use peppermint essential oil for your toothache, add 10 drops of the oil to 1 cup of water and shake vigorously. Use as a mouthwash and swish around in your mouth for several minutes. Spit the liquid out into the sink, being careful not to ingest any of the essential oil.
Eucalyptus Oil for Toothache
When it comes to essential oils for infected tooth or gums, eucalyptus essential oil should be at the top of the list. Two benefits of eucalyptus essential oil include its natural antibacterial and pain-relieving qualities.
When tested against common microorganisms, eucalyptus essential oil proved to be a powerful disinfectant against several types of bacteria.
A 2013 study showed that simply inhaling eucalyptus essential oil could significantly reduce pain among knee surgery patients. To use eucalyptus essential oil to combat pain, add 3 to 5 drops into a diffuser and inhale the oil for 30 minutes, daily.
Thieves Oil to Treat Toothaches
Thieves oil is a combination of several essential oils, including clove essential oil, cinnamon essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, rosemary essential oil, and lemon essential oil.
Many people recommend thieves oil for toothache symptoms because the combination of oils brings powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can both kill infection and numb the pain.
Cinnamon Oil for Toothaches
Cinnamon essential oil makes a good antiseptic, thanks to its antimicrobial activity. When applied to bacteria colonies, cinnamon bark essential oil has also been shown to reduce bacteria within 48 hours.
In fact, it’s no coincidence that many popular chewing gums come with cinnamon as a main ingredient. Cinnamon essential oil effectively combats dental plaque, especially when combined with clove essential oil.2 Many consider brushing teeth with cinnamon essential oil an effective anti-plaque technique.
Essential Oils for Teeth Grinding
While there is no specific essential oil that can cure the act of teeth grinding, the calming qualities of lavender essential oil may prove to be helpful in reducing the stress associated with teeth grinding. Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular scents in the world due to its wide variety of benefits.
It is perhaps best known for its calming effects when inhaled regularly. Reducing stress and inducing feelings of calmness may help reduce teeth grinding.
Read More: Essential Oils to Reduce Stress
To combat teeth grinding, add 3 to 5 drops of lavender essential oil to a diffuser before bed. Breathe in the aromatic air as you sleep. For topical pain relief, mix 2-4 drops of lavender essential oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut, olive, or grapeseed oil, and gently massage on your jaw area.
Essential Oil Teeth Whitening
Lemon essential oil is one of the best essential oils to whiten teeth. It’s also considered one of the most effective essential oils at preventing bacterial growth. The antibacterial properties will help maintain a healthy mouth.
The very nature of lemon also has some bleaching qualities, which makes it among the best essential oils for teeth whitening.
DIY Recipe for Teeth Whitening
To make your own natural tooth whitener, add 10 drops of lemon essential oil with ¼ cup of coconut oil and 1 Tbsp. of baking soda. Mix into a paste. Use your toothbrush to brush your teeth as you normally would, then rinse your mouth with clean water. Do not ingest the lemon essential oil.
Essential Oils for Cavities
Cavities are the result of bacteria eating away at your enamel and tooth. The best way to combat this is by using essential oils with powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, like clove essential oil and tea tree essential oil. To eliminate any associated pain, peppermint essential oil may help numb the area due to its cooling properties.
Essential Oil Recipe for Cavities
To help combat cavities, consider making a natural mouthwash for periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a condition in which an excess of bacteria in the mouth leads to an infection that can cause a number of painful symptoms in the mouth.3
Add 10 drops of each essential oil to 1 cup of water and shake vigorously. Take a bit into your mouth and swish around for 15 to 30 seconds, and then spit out into sink. Never ingest the essential oils.
Essential Oil for Gum Pain
When searching for essential oils for gums, look for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Many issues with the gums first begin with an excess of bacteria and perhaps even infection.3
Essential oils for gum infection will help reduce the pain by eliminating the cause. The same is true when searching for essential oils for bleeding gums. First, you must eliminate the cause, then the symptoms will subside.
To make an herbal mouthwash recipe for gum disease, combine 5 drops each of clove, tea tree, and oregano essential oil with 1 cup of water. Mix vigorously and then use as a mouthwash. Spit into the sink when finished, making sure not to ingest any of the essential oils.
Clove Oil for Gums
One of the best essential oils for gum disease is clove essential oil. This is because clove essential oil kills bacteria as well as reduces inflammation, both of which are the primary source of pain in gums.
Clove essential oil has can be used as a periodontal disease natural treatment by creating a simple mouthwash made of water and clove essential oil.
When using clove oil, gum infection and other ailments are generally treated quickly. As for clove oil and gum disease treatment, it seems like the best ingredient to include. With the use of clove oil, gingivitis is likely to subside, as well.
Oil of Oregano Gums
The antibacterial activity in oregano essential oil makes it one of the best essential oils for gingivitis. In 2012, oil of oregano was tested against several types of common bacteria. The data concluded that the oil was effective at eliminating the bacteria and was even suggested as a powerful agent against drug-resistant strains.
As such, with the use of oregano oil, teeth and gums may find relief from inflammation caused by an excess of bacteria.
Tea Tree Oil for Gums and Teeth
When searching for essential oils for sore gums, tea tree oil is an effective remedy. Tea tree oil is one of the best essential oils for periodontal disease, thanks to its antiseptic properties.
With regular use of tea tree oil, periodontal disease may be alleviated. In fact, you may notice many all-natural tea tree oil dental care items at a natural health food store.
It has been recommended to use tea tree oil for gum infection as the antiseptic properties may help eliminate bacteria. Regularly use a mouthwash with tea tree oil and gingivitis symptoms will likely decrease, and may help alleviate this condition all together.
To use tea tree oil to combat your oral issues, consider adding it to the all-natural mouthwash recipe listed above.
Essential Oil for Receding Gums
Gum recession can be caused by a number of factors such as smoking, diabetes, hormonal changes, or by periodontal disease, an excessive buildup of bacteria. The gums become delicate as the tissue breaks down.
An increase in plaque can lead to painful inflammation as the gums recede.3 You can use essential oils to help slow this process and heal the diseased gums.
Tea Tree Oil Receding Gums
Tea tree oil is an effective antimicrobial agent that can reduce bacteria and infection that may lead to receding gums. Because it may be a bit strong for some, always dilute with water or a carrier oil. Never ingest tea tree oil.
Peppermint Oil for Receding Gums
Many use peppermint oil for gums because of its antiseptic properties and the cooling sensation it is known for. To make an all-natural mouthwash for receding gums, add 20 drops of peppermint essential oil to 1 cup of water and mix vigorously. Use as you would normally use a mouthwash, making sure never to ingest the essential oil.
Essential Oils for Tooth Abscess
It’s often recommended to use a combination of essential oils for abscess, tooth pain, and infection. Clove essential oil and tea tree essential oil have incredibly powerful antimicrobial properties that can combat infection.
Lavender essential oil provides anti-inflammatory pain relief and a calming sensation that may help lessen the negative experience of having a tooth abscess. Peppermint essential oil can provide numbing relief with its cooling sensations.
To harness the power of each of these, you can make a clove, tea tree, peppermint, and lavender mouthwash. Add 5 drops of each into one cup of water and mix vigorously.
Swish the mixture in your mouth for several minutes and spit into sink, making sure never to ingest the essential oils. Use this mouthwash twice daily until the pain and infection subside.
If the pain or infection does not improve, or gets worse, contact a healthcare professional.
Essential Oils for Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth can be caused by a variety of factors, such as tooth decay, tooth erosion, or infection. The best thing to do is to maintain a healthy mouth and eliminate bacteria that may cause tooth decay and gum erosion.
When looking for essential oils for tooth sensitivity, consider using oils that combat bacteria and provide a refreshing sensation.
To make your own natural toothpaste for sensitive teeth, add 5 drops each of clove essential oil and 5 peppermint essential oil with ¼ cup of coconut oil and 1 Tbsp. of baking soda.
Use your toothbrush to gently rub the mixture over your teeth for several minutes, careful not to ingest any of the mixture. Rinse thoroughly.
I started my journey with essential oils about 2 years ago after the birth of my first child. To say that they changed my life forever would be an understatement. I share my story with you, so you can thrive and change your life, like it has done for me. Click here to read about my story.
Scientific Research Referenced in this Article
- American Association of Endodontists. (n.d.). Tooth Pain. Retrieved May 22, 2017, from http://www.aae.org/patients/symptoms/tooth-pain.aspx – View reference
- Gupta, C., Kumari, A., & Garg, A. (2011). COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CINNAMON OIL AND CLOVE OIL IN SOME ORAL MICROBIOTA [Abstract]. Acta Bio Medica,82(3). Retrieved May 22, 2017, from http://www.mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/actabiomedica/article/view/1729
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Periodontal. (2014, December 8). (Gum) Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments. Retrieved May 24, 2017, from https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/GumDiseases/PeriodontalGumDisease.htm – View reference
I started my journey with essential oils about 2 years ago after the birth of my first child. To say that they changed my life forever would be an understatement. I have created a book called "The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Essential Oils" that will teach you about some of the amazing benefits and uses that essential oils can provide in your home. Click here to get the FREE book.
