My personal best toothache cure
Warm salt water rinses & salt packs
"...shame on the entire medical world for not divulging such a simple pain reliever." (from a comment received by Healing Teeth Naturally)
How I have gotten rid of next to all toothaches,
even involving severe, intense or excruciating pain
This simple procedure for toothache relief (please don't dismiss it as being too simple - I originally did so too) has indeed worked miracles for me, even with tooth pain of the worst imaginable kind and very deep cavities. In fact I once had a toothache so terrible and extreme that it sent me in some state of shock for a moment, it was like lightning searing through my jaw and beyond. This pain came from a cavity that had virtually reached the root, as my then dentist had told me when she was drilling at it. Nevertheless I told her to stop drilling (she was planning a root canal, one of the most noxious of conventional treatments in my eyes, see the extensive root canal treatment information provided). (I subsequently treated the caries-eaten tooth myself using the approach outlined in Healing Teeth Naturally's Nutrition and Dental Care & Oral Hygiene pages which seems to have helped rebuild some (at least functional) tooth enamel. While that tooth hasn't recuperated (so far), it has never again given me any trouble.)
How to do the salt water rinse
Dissolve enough salt (also see Which salt? and Which salt concentration?) in cold or (probably better, gentler and possibly even more effective) lukewarm water (body temperature) to make a strong solution and rinse your mouth repeatedly, vigourously swishing the salty water around your mouth (if the pain allows) or just allowing the brine to work in your mouth (it will make you salivate). The dental pain, especially when extremely severe, may instantly subside or perhaps take a while before it goes away, but it will (it certainly has done so for me every time I have used it, the longest it took for acute pain to stop was about two minutes. I have also seen some others reporting near-instantaneous dental pain relief achieved in identical fashion, compare Salt water toothache relief testimonials). Repeat application of the salt rinse - even over several days in case the pain reoccurs or doesn't fully go away - may be required. One may also lodge some salt crystals directly against the tooth or gum area that hurts.
I found this brine toothache treatment more effective than tea tree oil (which for me has been extremely useful for lesser pain and which I may subsequently apply to keep my mouth and teeth "sterilized"), as well as in most instances more helpful than anything else I have tried such as allopathical painkillers (although these do have their [occasional] place), and the widely recommended old standard kitchen toothache remedy clove extract (or pure food grade oil of cloves, an over-the-counter remedy which proved useless in my case with severe pain).
(Incidentally and obviously, if food particles trapped between one's teeth are the root cause of one's toothache, thoroughly sloshing the salt water around one's mouth in the above-described manner should help dislodge the stuck particles. Otherwise flossing or tooth picks may help.)
Which is the best salt to use for toothaches?
I use unrefined grey sea salt whenever available which, in contrast to processed table salt, preserves a plethora of natural minerals and trace elements. Also, when I rinse my teeth with processed salt in the above-described strong solution, it actually feels "poisonous" in my mouth while a concentrated solution of unrefined sea salt doesn't create this unpleasant taste effect. Unrefined chunky grey sea salt is available here in Germany in health food stores where I buy it in one kg bags (one can also purchase it online and with some luck get excellent deals, particularly when buying in bulk [salt plus baking soda makes an excellent detox bath, for instance]). This is also the only salt I use for seasoning. While there is also so-called unrefined sea salt available which is snowy white and finely ground like normal table salt, I am not sure that the latter is as rich in minerals and trace elements as the grey salt. (I think unrefined sea salt is also sold as "Celtic sea salt" in the US and other countries.) If you do use processed salt, I would make sure it is aluminium-free, at least if you use it frequently.1 Even herbal salt etc. should work just as well if normal salt isn't at hand.
Update 2008: I have bought some bargain salt in bulk from million years old (former marine) deposits which is snowy white but should be even better since it should be free of contaminants.
Which salt concentration is best?
Often it may not matter much (exceptions compare Increasing the concentration and length of application) as long as it makes you salivate, showing that water/fluid is drawn from your gums etc. Apparently a concentration of 3-5% salt would be natural in as much as it corresponds to the salt concentration found in our planet's oceans. I've read that the highest possible salt-in-water concentration is 26% which may quickly give a caustic sensation at the mucous membrane of the mouth. A physiological saline solution/concentration (as found in the human body itself), would be 0.9%. So if you are scientifically inclined (even with tooth pain), you may want to experiment with anything between 0.9% and 26%.
Slight variations of the salt-water remedy for teeth under a "cold attack"
For teeth that are stricken with a "cold attack", i.e. that become extremely painful due to the sensitivity of the nerve after eating or drinking cold foods: try adding to the salt-water solution a pinch of alcohol (not the beverages) and rinse the mouth. The water has to be neither cold nor hot but lukewarm.
Adding herbal disinfectants to the salt water
When (as will often be the case) the toothache is due to a deep-seated (pulpal/nerve) infection of the tooth, you may further benefit by adding any of the many powerfully infection-combatting plants or extracts thereof (see Natural toothache remedies: herbs and plants for many suggestions).
When salt water didn't help
The longest it ever took me to get toothache pain relief from the salt water (over two days) was when the pain came from an area covered by a bridge. It makes sense that the salt water would take longer to work in such a spot since most of the area was impenetrably covered by an artificial "sealant" (which I long hesitated to have removed since I resented paying another small fortune for the work of a few minutes to a dentist) (see the upcoming Bridges page for why I now know this to be a huge error).
A similar case concerns a friend who tried it on some intense gum/tooth pain in the area of a capped root-canaled tooth. It did not work over several days suggesting that the microorganisms involved had developed immunity to the "sterilizing" effect of the sea salt solution, or again, that the salt water simply didn't reach the area.
What finally helped him were plain over-the-counter painkilling tablets, with one half of a tablet applied topically and the other half taken internally, while later rinsing his mouth with water and tea tree oil and applying a few straight drops locally (he was fasting nearly throughout the ordeal as the tooth/gum sensitivity and pain didn’t allow him to take food). The pain-free state thus achieved helped him to properly sleep (very important for the body to do its healing and detoxifying work), with an abscess forming the following day which (in unison with the pain) gradually receded as he resumed occasionally rinsing and thus draining the abscess with sea salt water. He never needed a dentist.
Important for those who "already know" about salt water:
Try increasing the concentration and length of application
As a site visitor commented: "I had already known about the salt water rinse, but never had I tried it with such high concentration or lengthy exposure. One moment I'm practically reeling with agony, and the next I feel better than ever. Thank you so much." This testimonial shows how powerful salt water can be with more concentrated/lengthier application! Also compare Salt water toothache relief testimonals.
Generally, I do not know if salt water works for pain stemming from root canals (i.e. dead teeth) but I suggest it is more than worth a try.
Salt water toothache relief testimonials
...seem to abound, even many dramatic ones, including by those who've tried "more sensible" things first such as popping a tylenol and other conventional painkillers, using mouth wash and brushing their teeth, even ice packs and heat applications. Occasionally these have combined salt water with other applications, such as Listerine.
Here is a sample testimonial: "I've been pumping ibuprofen and vicoden for 30 mins of tears and moaning and an ice pack and despair over crippling pain in my mouth. I found a few moments to google for help and was led to YOU.... A little warm water and table salt and swishing over and around the teeth and the absolutely crippling pain has subsided.... I am a 40 year old man and not quite a person who can't handle pain... if I would have been offered to cut off a finger in exchange for the mouth pain to stop I would have offered the butcher knife... it was that bad. If I hadn't found you I REALLY was ready to call an ambulance. [...] something so simple [...] shame on the entire medical world for not divulging such a simple pain reliever."
And three more read:
"... a life saver, I never believed people when they told me to use salt water for toothache but your comments convinced me, my pain was so bad, I had been suffering from toothache so bad I couldn't stop crying and I couldn't sleep, I used your remedy and after a couple of minutes started to see results, it didn't go away completely but it help[ed] make it bearable enough that I could at least sleep and I have never been so grateful to someone before."
"I broke my tooth ... went to the emergency room who basically dismissed me with some crappy pain pills. My friend gave me some of her stronger pain pills. Nothing worked. I couldn't sleep or eat for 2 days. I was in so much pain that I was actually crying. My husband found your site and talked me into trying the salt. ... saved my weekend and my sanity. It worked immediately. The pain was gone instantly and hasn't come back yet. I have been pain free for 12 hours now and and am so happy." (Also compare above, "Important for those who "already know" about salt water...".)
"...haven't been to the dentist for 16 years... and developed pain to the point I nearly fainted ... I tried this salt water technique and repeated its application at c. 3 week intervals. Now four months later the two teeth in question are free of pain." (translated from German by Healing Teeth Naturally)
A note re the use of salt water with cracked teeth
While I frequently receive heartfelt letters of appreciation for sharing this simple and virtually free remedy to often obtain instant toothache relief, in May 2009 I received a “kind” letter from an angry person who apparently had tried the salt water on a CRACKED tooth with the result that his pain got a lot worse. So in case you suspect or know the cause of your toothache to be a cracked tooth, you might consider using this recipe with caution or simply abstain, as you feel guided!
On the other hand, here is the response to the above by Farah who has translated my first "dental" page My Home Remedy for the Natural Pain Relief of Toothache, Curing Tooth Decay Through Dietary Dental Regeneration into Farsi (Persian) and who had better experiences:
“As I wrote to you before, my tooth broke when I was chewing food (a broken tooth is worse than a crack), I felt some pain with having a red gum around it. I went to few dentist to get their advice. All of them told me that my tooth need operation means cutting the gum and planting some kind of wall for filling the tooth.
I didn't [follow] their advice, instead I started to apply your [salt water] remedy. The pain [was] gone after a day but my red gum was still there. I found out that my solution is not strong enough and the water should be lukewarm not even room temperature water then I got better result and now my gum is getting pink color.
Other experience is my mom. She is about 80 and she was feeling of a weak teeth while eating and brushing (like when your tooth is drilled and open to air). She started your remedy (even added some bicarbonate soda for better cleaning result) she told me that she feels her teeth are stronger and can eat everything.
The third experience was for my son. .... About 18 months ago I realized that on my son's front tooth a tiny decay is appeared. I advised him to stop using toothpaste and start salt and bicarbonate soda for cleaning and preventing the decay [from progressing]. He is applying sea salt remedy after each meal and not only the decay didn't grow but also it seems getting lighter. ...
As final, whenever I share these experiences with dentists they get ANGRY and say nasty things.
God bless you,
Love, Farah”
Summary: what I'd do when salt water doesn't (seem to) help
Occasionally I come across reports saying that rinsing with salt water didn't help or actually made the pain worse. In my experience, there could be several reasons for this. Please (re)read above When salt water didn't help (salt not reaching the area of pain etc.), increasing the concentration and length of application (insufficient concentration) as well as cracked teeth. Even using cold rather than lukewarm water can make all the difference.
Also see General advice for homemade (DIY) toothache relief - and beyond and try some of the numerous additional suggestions for toothache relief listed below in Natural holistic & home dental remedies for toothache & other dental problems.
I also think that using fluoridated, iodised or otherwise tampered-with salt could be an irritating factor (in the US for instance, CODEX STAN 150-1985 allows quite a range of food additived to be added to salt) and/or that an interaction occurred between these chemicals and others already present in the mouth (such as from using conventional toothpaste with its various chemicals) which further irritated the tooth.
If nothing should help, personally I consider direct application (not ingestion) of a painkiller (half a tablet lodged against the area of pain can be totally sufficient) the best solution, in my and a friend's experience this works in less than a minute to completely stop all pain, again compare When salt water didn't help). Taking analgesics internally (which I'd do just for the "psychological" effect such as swallowing the other half of the tablet) is totally ineffective in my experience. Yes, allopathic analgesics are not natural and likely a toxic burden on the liver, but ever so welcome in my experience with pain unamenable to other approaches, IF directly applied to the tooth.
Additionally, I have seen numerous reports extolling the virtues of applying garlic to a toothache but have not tried it myself, for some of the pros and cons see Herbal toothache remedies: garlic.
Why and how the warm salt water solution may work to stop & cure toothache
See On causes of toothache, dental and gingival pain.
Toothache combination remedy:
saltwater plus baking soda and listerine
See site visitor Trent's toothache success report.
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1 Both mercury and aluminium seem [strongly] implicated as causes in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease. Compare On Effective Holistic Heavy Metal Detoxification (Chelation).