It is not recommended to drain a gum abscess at home as this should only be done by a trained dental professional. Incorrectly draining an abscess can cause further damage and spread the infection, leading to more serious health problems.
If you suspect you have a gum abscess, it’s important to seek prompt treatment from a dentist. Your dentist will be able to diagnose the abscess and determine the best course of treatment, which may include incision and drainage, antibiotics, or other forms of treatment.
While you wait for your appointment, you can try some over-the-counter pain relievers to ease your pain. You can also manage the pain from your tooth abscess using some inexpensive home remedies. These remedies do not replace going to a dentist; they’re only going to help you deal with the pain until a dentist can attend to you. Some of these home remedies include:
Rinse Using Salt Water
A saltwater rinse will help ease your tooth pain. Saltwater has some anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects. To use the salt rinse remedy, mix 1⁄2 teaspoon of table salt with ½ cup of water. Next, rinse your mouth with the salt water and swish it around your mouth for at least two minutes, then spit the water out. Do this up to three times daily.
Baking Soda
Baking soda has some antibacterial properties and may help remove plaque from the mouth. If you’d like to use this remedy, mix ½ tablespoon of baking soda with equal parts water and rinse your mouth with the mixture for 5 minutes.
Spit out and repeat the process until you’re done with the mixture.
Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is an essential oil that may help reduce the pain and swelling caused by a tooth abscess because of its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Oregano oil is pretty strong, so to avoid irritation, be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil before use. Carrier oils are oils that dilute essential oils and make them safe to use, like olive oil, sunflower oil, or avocado oil. You can dilute your essential oils correctly using this guide:
Diluting for adults:
- 2.5 percent dilution: 15 drops of essential oil to 6 teaspoons of carrier oil
- 3 percent dilution: 20 drops of essential oil to 6 teaspoons of carrier oil
- 5 percent dilution: 30 drops of essential oil to 6 teaspoons of carrier oil
- 10 percent dilution: 60 drops of essential oil to 6 teaspoons of carrier oil
Diluting for children:
- 0.5 to 1 percent dilution: 3 to 6 drops of essential oil to 6 teaspoons of carrier oil
After you’ve diluted the oregano oil, apply a few drops of the diluted oil to a swab or cotton ball. Put the cotton ball in contact with the tooth abscess and leave for 10 minutes before rinsing out. Repeat this process three times daily.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has strong antibacterial properties. It’s also helpful in reducing dental plaque and bleeding gums. To use this remedy, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide with water. Be careful not to swallow any of it as you swish it around your mouth. Carefully spit out the mix. You can repeat this procedure multiple times in a day.
Cold Compress
A cold compress can help reduce toothache and swelling. To use a cold compress, place ice cubes in a dry towel and press the towel against your skin near the affected area. Use this for 15 minutes multiple times a day.
Garlic
Garlic may help soothe the pain and kill bacteria. To use garlic on your abscessed tooth, crush a fresh clove of garlic into a paste and rub it on the infected area. You can repeat this multiple times in a day.
Thyme essential oil
Thyme oil can fight off bacteria, parasites, and minimize inflammation. Mix it with a carrier oil and apply it with a swab or cotton ball. Another way of using thyme oil as a pain reliever is making a mouth wash by adding a few drops of oil into a glass of water. Repeat this three times a day.
Fenugreek tea
Fenugreek spice is famous for its antibacterial characteristics and helps in minimizing swelling and healing wounds. To make fenugreek tea, boil one cup of water and stir in 1 teaspoon of ground fenugreek. Once the mixture cools down, apply it to the painful area with a swab or cotton ball three times a day.
Aloe Vera gel
Aloe Vera gel can soothe skin irritations and help heal cuts or burns. With its antibacterial properties, aloe vera gel can eliminate pain from an abscessed tooth. Applying the gel to the infected tooth or gums can help get rid of the pain immediately and fight off the infection.
Note however, that these remedies are not a substitute for professional medical treatment and will not cure the abscess. If you delay the treatment for an abscessed tooth, it can affect your eyes and face.