Pakistan Dental Guide 3 min read
Clove (Laung) for Toothache: Does It Work, and Is It Safe?
Clove contains eugenol, which numbs and has some antibacterial effect. It can ease pain for a while, but it does not treat decay or infection.
This guide relates to our emergency dentist treatment.
Why do people use clove for toothache?
Clove, known as laung in Urdu, is a common home remedy in Pakistan for toothache. Its main active ingredient, eugenol, has numbing and antibacterial properties, and it has been used in dentistry for a long time. This is why clove can feel helpful when a tooth aches.
Clove helps only for a short time, and it does not remove the cause of the pain. If the tooth is infected or decayed, it needs dental treatment in Multan.
Does clove oil work for toothache?
Eugenol can numb the area and give temporary relief. Medical News Today describes clove oil as a possible treatment for tooth pain, and notes that it works through this numbing effect. However, the research on clove for toothache is limited, and the advice on how much to use varies.
Clove does not treat decay, a cracked tooth or an abscess. Pain that returns, or swelling, means the tooth needs a dentist.
| Clove can | Clove cannot |
|---|---|
| Ease pain for a short time | Remove decay or repair a cracked tooth |
| Numb the area a little | Treat an abscess or infection |
| Be a short-term measure before a visit | Replace a filling, crown or root canal |
What are the safety cautions?
Do not put undiluted clove oil directly on the gum, because it can burn the tissue. If you use clove oil, dilute it with a carrier oil, and apply only a small amount on a cotton bud to the sore area.
Never swallow clove oil. Keep it away from children, and do not give it to a child for toothache without asking a doctor or dentist. Speak to a doctor or dentist before using any remedy if you have a medical condition or take medicines.
What should you do instead?
Painkillers from a pharmacy can help while you arrange a visit. Rinsing with warm salt water helps adults, but children should not do this in case they swallow it. Eat soft food and avoid chewing on the sore side.
The most useful step is a dental visit, because the cause is usually decay, infection or a cracked tooth, and each needs its own treatment.
When to see a dentist in Multan
Book a visit if the pain lasts more than two days, or if you have swelling, fever or pain when biting. We are open Sunday to Thursday and on Saturday, from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm, and we are closed on Fridays. Message us on WhatsApp about toothache and we will advise the fastest option.
What a dentist will do that clove cannot
A dentist can find the cause, which may be decay, a crack, an infection or a loose filling. They can clean out decay, place a filling, treat a root canal, or remove a tooth that cannot be saved. Clove cannot do any of these.
If you are waiting for an appointment, a pharmacist can advise on painkillers and mouth gels, and salt water rinses help adults. Keep to soft food and avoid chewing on the sore side.
This article is general information. Please see a dentist for advice about your own teeth.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put clove on my gum?
Not undiluted. Clove oil can burn the gum, so use a small diluted amount only, and never swallow it.
How long does clove relief last?
The relief is short-term, and sources do not agree on how long it lasts. It should be treated as a stopgap until you see a dentist.
Is clove safe for children?
Be cautious. Do not give clove oil to a child without asking a doctor or dentist first, and never let a child swallow it.
Will clove fix my tooth?
No. Clove can ease pain, but it does not treat decay, infection or a cracked tooth.
Is clove oil the same as clove powder?
They are different. Clove oil is concentrated, so the cautions about dilution and swallowing apply to the oil. Use either only with care, and never swallow them.
Sources
Have a question about your own teeth?
Book on WhatsApp, and our team will reply with the next steps.