First up, advocating a natural cure for tooth abscess does not mean avoiding a dentist, and what you’re about to read is not a replacement for medical advice. However, everyone has a choice – and if yours is to prefer a natural cure over the expense involved in consulting a dental professional, then I believe you’re in for a treat.
We’re going to deal with this in two parts:
1. What a tooth abscess is and what really causes it
2. Natural cures for tooth abscess
So let’s get started.
What is a Tooth Abscess?
An abscess is a pus-filled swelling that is highly alkaline in nature. It is composed of white blood cells that have sacrificed themselves to capture dead material in order to expel it outside of the bloodstream. The swelling in your gum is a result of your body’s protective mechanism functioning well. 
If the pus is draining satisfactorily and the abscess isn’t growing, it means your body is protecting itself. However, the bone around the infection may be slowly deteriorating. The inflammation is actually protecting your body from harmful foreign bodies entering your bloodstream. By ejecting the pus back into your mouth when the abscess bursts, the foreign bodies are kept away and you don’t get blood poisoning. That’s the upside to tooth abscesses.
This doesn’t mean that a tooth abscess should be taken lightly. Dental infections have been shown to be related or to even cause other diseases. They may also aggravate pre-existing health problems. Up to 28 conditions can be caused or related to dental disease, including eye problems, arthritis, and inflammations of the stomach, intestine, appendix, gall bladder, and kidney. An untreated tooth abscess can be dangerous.
There are two types of abscesses. The first type is purely a condition of the gums and doesn’t involve the tooth. Deep gum pockets or an injury to your gums causes pus-filled swelling. The second type is an apical tooth abscess also known as a periapical abscess. You’ll see this condition in the image I’ve included. It is an inflammation response that your body provides so that an abscess forms around the tooth root.
What Causes a Tooth Abscess?
An abscess is caused because you have a cavity. A cavity is a breach in the protective layer of your tooth enamel. If the outer layer of your teeth is decayed, cracked, or otherwise damaged (otherwise known as tooth decay), then food, saliva, and other substances from your mouth can enter into areas of your tooth where they don’t belong and start decaying there. Your body then sends a signal through your nervous system (tooth pain) to let you know that something is wrong.
Some claim that bacteria is the cause of tooth decay and also your dental infections. Consequently, a tooth abscess would be caused by the body trying to rid itself of harmful bacteria. But the truth is, bacteria are not responsible for tooth abscesses. You are! Why? The same life forms that are alleged to be responsible for tooth decay are also known to be beneficial or benign bacteria in our gut.
These include streptococcus and lactobacillus. It does not make sense to say that in our intestines we need these bacteria, but that in our mouth, these bacteria cause decay. If bacteria cause your abscess then there is not much you can do to heal it other than to take antibiotics and disinfect the mouth.
Each day, our teeth experience a process of mineralization and demineralization. Each meal we eat will either help us build strong teeth and bones, or remove the strength of our teeth and bones.
If you have a tooth abscess, mouth abscess or gum abscess then your body is telling you that your lifestyle habits have caused more demineralization (loss of tooth minerals) than remineralization (building and strengthening of tooth and bone). It’s as simple as that.
Choose Your Preferred Natural Cure for Tooth Abscess
Before we provide the following list of natural cures, I want to introduce you to the concept of “pulling”. When you swish water, or other substances around in your mouth, the force of movement has the effect of “pulling” debris from where it has lodged in, or under, your teeth, into the solution. Some of the solutions you’re about to read will use this term.
Natural Cure for Tooth Abscess #1 – Salt Water
Put some salt (unrefined sea salt is best) in a container. Pour on a small amount of boiling water to help it dissolve, then add cold water to bring the solution to body temperature. Rinse your mouth slowly and thoroughly, hold the brine for a while. Do this as needed both when pain comes up and as a regular “germ-killing” treatment.
If pain etc. persists, try making it a stronger salt solution to increase the “pulling” and osmotic power of the rinse. Afer this, if you wish, you can also soak some cotton wool in the salt water solution and place over the abscess and leave it there for a few hours.
Natural Cure for Tooth Abscess #2 – Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is a practice used in ancient Ayurvedic to maintain oral health and promote detoxification of the teeth and mouth. Lipids in the oil will pull out bacteria and prevent it from sticking to the oral cavity walls which relieves pain and infection.
Instructions:
- Rinse your mouth with a tablespoon of organic coconut oil without swallowing.
- Rinse with water.
- Repeat 2 – 3 times daily or as needed.
Natural Cure for Tooth Abscess #3 – Clove Oil
Clove oil has anti-fungal, antiseptic, bactericidal, and analgesic properties that kill infections and treat toothaches and other gum problems. It also contains antioxidants and nutrients like manganese, omega-3s, and fiber which relieve pain and reduce inflammation, eliminating infection.
Instructions:
- Gently brush your teeth and massage your gums with clove oil. (Note: Do not apply too much pressure to the infected area.)
- Repeat regularly as needed.
- Alternately chew cloves, place clove powder in a teabag or gauze between the infected area and cheek for 30 minutes, or mix hydrogen peroxide and clove oil and apply to the infected area with a cotton ball.
Alternative 2:
- Mix ¼ teaspoon of olive oil and 2 – 3 drops of pure clove oil.
- Soak a cotton ball in the juice and place it between the infected area and cheek.
- Leave for as long as possible. Avoid sleeping with it in your mouth.
- Repeat regularly as needed.
Alternative 3:
- Fry 2 – 3 crushed cloves and a spoonful of either coconut, sesame, or mustard oil.
- Blend to make a paste.
- Apply to the infected area.
- Repeat regularly as needed.
Natural Cure for Tooth Abscess #4 – Tea Bags
Tea contains tannin, an astringent that clears infection by absorbing toxins and pus. It also relieves swelling, pain, and inflammation.
Instructions:
- Apply a used tea bag to the top of the infected tooth before going to sleep.
- Leave overnight and rinse with salt water, a hydrogen peroxide solution, or another disinfectant the next morning.
- Repeat regularly as needed.
Natural Cure for Tooth Abscess #5 – Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is an immune booster and contains anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, and anti-viral properties that heal infection and ease pain.
Instructions:
- Apply a few drops of oregano oil to the affected area.
- Repeat regularly as needed.
Alternative 2:
- Mix ¼ cup of warm water and 3 – 5 drops of oregano oil.
- Rinse your mouth with the solution.
- Repeat 2 – 3 times daily or as needed.
Alternative 3:
- Place a few drops of oregano oil under your tongue for 2 – 4 minutes.
- Spit it out and either swallow colloidal silver or rub it on the infected area.
- Rub the oregano oil directly on the infected area to eliminate pain and infection.
- Repeat regularly as needed.
Natural Cure for Tooth Abscess #6 – Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar disinfects and reduces swelling.
Instructions:
- Rinse your mouth with a tablespoon of raw, organic apple cider vinegar without swallowing.
- Repeat 2 – 3 times daily or as needed.
- Alternately drink a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar diluted in a glass of water twice daily.
Natural Cure for Tooth Abscess #6 – Baking Soda 
Baking soda raises saliva pH to a normal level and works as a mechanical cleanser used to drain abscesses naturally.
Instructions:
- Mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda and salt.
- Roll a damp cotton ball in the mixture and place it between the affected area and the cheek.
- Leave for 3 – 5 hours.
- Repeat regularly as needed.
- Alternately apply baking soda directly to the affected area or rinse your mouth using baking soda(one teaspoon) diluted in a glass of water.
Natural Cure for Tooth Abscess #7 – Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural disinfectant that kills bacteria and relieves pain and inflammation.
Instructions:
- Mix 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide and a tablespoon of warm water.
- Rinse your mouth with the solution without swallowing.
- Repeat regularly as needed.
- Alternately use a cotton ball to apply the solution to the affected area.
Natural Cure for Tooth Abscess #8 – Turmeric
Turmeric is a natural antibiotic that also has anti-inflammatory properties that treat pain and inflammation.
Instructions:
- Clean your mouth thoroughly.
- Mix a teaspoon of turmeric and water to make a paste.
- Apply to the affected area using your fingers or a cotton ball.
- Repeat regularly as needed.
- Alternately brush your gums and teeth with turmeric mixed with oil.
Alternative:
- Mix 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric and a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water.
- Rinse your mouth with the solution.
- Repeat regularly as needed.
- Alternately mix turmeric and stevia or xylitol in warm water.
A Cold Compress May Help
Cold pack treats and gives instant relief from pain.
Instructions:
- Place ice cubes in a clean cloth outside the mouth by the infected area.
- Leave for 10 – 15 minutes.
- Repeat regularly as needed.
Alternatively, use a frozen bag of vegetables or a cold water bottle.
Finally, Some Prevention Tips
- Gently brush teeth twice daily, followed by antiseptic or fluoride mouthwash.
- Regularly use dental floss or an interdental cleaner.
- Replace your toothbrush every 3 – 4 months or when tooth bristles become frayed.
- Visit your dentist for regular checkups and teeth cleanings.
- Consume healthy food and limit sugar-filled items to a minimum.
- Avoid too much caffeine as it elevates blood sugar levels and affects glucose metabolism, endocrine glands, and the liver.
- Take Olive leaf extract, potassium carbonate, Bromelain, Echinacea, and Vitamin C can boost your immune system
- Rinsing the mouth with pure vanilla extract or warm salt water can also relieve pain.
- Mix 1/4 teaspoon of potassium carbonate in 1/2 glass of water. Rinse your mouth 3 – 4 times with this solution each day to get relief from the pain and infection.
- Quit smoking (if you’re a smoker) and using tobacco products.
- Avoid chewing gum until the infection clears.
- Eat healthy – Tomatoes, onions, fenugreek, wheat grass juice, cashews, omega – 3 fatty acids, fruits, and vegetables boost the immune system and prevent abscesses.
- Abscess tooth treatment should not be delayed as bacterial infection can spread to other parts of the body and affect brain and heart function.
