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Holding Cloves in Your Mouth: A Traditional Home Remedy for Temporary Toothache Relief
A sudden toothache can be miserable, especially when it starts at night or when you can’t get to a dentist immediately. For generations, people have turned to whole cloves and clove oil as a traditional home remedy for temporary tooth pain.
The reason cloves have attracted so much attention is a naturally occurring compound called eugenol. Eugenol has local anesthetic properties and has been used in dentistry for many years. Modern research also suggests that eugenol may have pain-relieving effects in certain dental situations.
But there’s an important catch: cloves may temporarily dull toothache, but they don’t fix the underlying cause. Tooth pain can result from tooth decay, a cracked tooth, gum disease, an abscess, or inflammation inside the tooth. These problems generally require professional dental care.
So, can holding a clove in your mouth really help? Here’s what you should know about this traditional remedy, how it may work, its limitations, and when toothache requires urgent attention.
Why Are Cloves Used for Toothache?
Cloves contain an aromatic compound called eugenol, which makes up a substantial portion of clove oil.
Eugenol has several properties that help explain its traditional use for dental discomfort. It can have a numbing effect and has been studied for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Clove-derived preparations have also been used in dentistry, particularly in materials and products intended for temporary dental pain relief.
A 2025 systematic review of plant-derived treatments for dental pain found evidence supporting analgesic effects from eugenol in several dental applications, although the researchers also noted the need for larger and better-standardized studies.
That doesn’t mean a whole clove works exactly like a professionally formulated dental treatment. The concentration and amount of eugenol delivered from a spice are different from those in a standardized dental product.
Can Holding a Whole Clove Relieve Toothache?
It may provide temporary relief for some people, largely because compounds released from the clove can produce a mild numbing sensation.
Traditionally, a whole clove may be gently placed near the painful tooth and allowed to sit briefly while its oils are released.
However, the evidence for simply holding a whole clove in the mouth is much more limited than the evidence concerning eugenol or professionally formulated clove-based dental preparations.
That distinction matters.
Research supporting eugenol doesn’t automatically prove that placing a whole kitchen spice against a painful tooth will provide the same effect.
The most realistic way to describe the remedy is:
A whole clove may temporarily soothe tooth discomfort, but it shouldn’t be considered a treatment for the dental problem causing the pain.
How Might Eugenol Reduce Dental Pain?
Tooth pain is often caused by irritation or inflammation involving the nerves and tissues inside or around a tooth.
Eugenol can interact with pain-related pathways and has local anesthetic effects. Research has also examined its effects on inflammatory processes.
This may explain why clove preparations can create a temporary sensation of reduced pain or numbness.
But numbing pain isn’t the same as eliminating the source.
For example, if tooth decay has reached the pulp—the sensitive tissue inside the tooth—clove may make the discomfort temporarily less noticeable while the underlying inflammation continues.
That’s why relief should never be interpreted as proof that the tooth is healing.
How to Try a Whole Clove More Cautiously
If you’re an adult experiencing mild toothache and want to use a whole clove as a short-term comfort measure while arranging dental care, avoid aggressively chewing it or repeatedly pressing it into the gum.
A cautious traditional approach is to:
- Rinse your mouth gently with water.
- Take one whole dried clove.
- Place it near the affected tooth.
- Allow it to sit briefly so its natural oils can be released.
- Remove it if it causes burning, irritation, or worsening discomfort.
- Don’t swallow the clove or intentionally consume large amounts for pain relief.
There isn’t a standardized medical dose for holding a whole kitchen clove against a painful tooth, so it shouldn’t be treated like a precisely dosed medication.
If you’re looking for a medicinal clove product, follow its package directions carefully rather than improvising with concentrated clove oil.
What About Clove Oil?
Clove oil is considerably more concentrated than a whole dried clove.
That makes it particularly important to avoid assuming that more clove oil means more pain relief.
Concentrated eugenol can irritate or damage soft tissues. Medicinal clove-oil products specifically warn users to avoid contact with the gums and surrounding tissues, and repeated use can cause gum damage.
Some commercially prepared eugenol products are specifically formulated for temporary toothache relief, but these should be used exactly as directed.
Do not pour undiluted essential oil into your mouth or swallow it.
Large amounts of eugenol can be toxic. Poisoning can cause serious problems, including burns to the mouth and throat, nervous-system symptoms, breathing problems, and potentially severe liver injury.
Whole Clove vs. Clove Oil
These two remedies shouldn’t be treated as interchangeable.
| Whole clove | Concentrated clove oil |
|---|---|
| Contains naturally occurring eugenol | Contains a much higher concentration of eugenol |
| Common culinary spice | Concentrated essential oil |
| May provide mild, temporary comfort | May provide stronger topical effects |
| Less concentrated | Can irritate or burn oral tissues |
| Not a standardized medical dose | Must be used according to product directions |
| Should not be swallowed as a treatment | Should never be swallowed intentionally |
In other words, don’t assume that because a whole clove is traditionally used for toothache, undiluted clove oil is safe to apply directly to your gums.
Why You Shouldn’t Put Clove Oil Directly on Your Gums
This is one of the most important safety points.
Concentrated eugenol can irritate mucous membranes. Medical product information warns that contact with the gums or other soft tissues may cause irritation, inflammation, or ulceration.
Some eugenol toothache products specifically instruct users to apply the product only to the affected tooth and avoid surrounding tissues.
If you develop:
- Burning
- Swelling
- Redness
- Persistent irritation
- Sores
- Worsening mouth pain
stop using the product and seek professional advice.
Does Clove Cure a Tooth Infection?
No.
This is perhaps the biggest misconception about natural toothache remedies.
Clove may temporarily reduce the sensation of pain, but it doesn’t remove infected or decayed tooth tissue.
Dental pain can have many causes, including:
- Tooth decay
- Dental abscess
- Cracked or fractured teeth
- Inflamed dental pulp
- Gum disease
- Food trapped between teeth
- Damaged fillings
- Tooth trauma
- Problems involving wisdom teeth
Some of these conditions can worsen even when pain temporarily improves.
The American Dental Association recommends definitive dental treatment for many causes of dental pain rather than relying on medication alone. For example, treatments for certain pulp and root-related problems can include procedures such as pulpotomy, root canal treatment, or drainage when appropriate.
When a Toothache Needs a Dentist
If your tooth hurts repeatedly, don’t rely on cloves indefinitely.
A dentist should evaluate tooth pain that persists, returns frequently, or interferes with eating, sleeping, or everyday activities.
Particularly concerning symptoms include:
- Severe or persistent toothache
- Facial swelling
- Swelling around the jaw
- Fever
- Pus or a bad taste in the mouth
- Pain when biting
- A broken tooth
- A loose tooth after an injury
- Increasing sensitivity to hot or cold
- Difficulty opening your mouth
Severe dental pain that isn’t controlled with ordinary pain relief and significant oral or facial swelling are examples of problems that can require urgent dental care.
What If Your Face Is Swollen?
Facial swelling associated with tooth pain can indicate a dental infection.
Don’t attempt to treat significant swelling solely with cloves or other home remedies.
If swelling is spreading, you have a fever, or you’re becoming generally unwell, seek urgent dental or medical assessment. The ADA notes that antibiotics are not appropriate for most dental pain by themselves; when infection has systemic involvement, however, antibiotics may be indicated alongside appropriate dental treatment.
Severe swelling involving the mouth, lips, throat, or neck—especially when it affects breathing or swallowing—is an emergency.
What Can You Do While Waiting for a Dental Appointment?
Cloves aren’t the only temporary option.
The American Dental Association’s current guidance recommends non-opioid pain relievers as first-line treatment for temporary management of toothache in adolescents and adults when definitive dental treatment isn’t immediately available. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen, alone or combined with acetaminophen, can be effective when they’re appropriate for the individual.
However, not everyone can safely take these medicines.
For example, NSAIDs may be unsuitable for some people with certain stomach, kidney, cardiovascular, bleeding, allergy, pregnancy, or medication-related concerns.
If you’re unsure, ask a pharmacist or healthcare professional which pain reliever is appropriate for you.
Other simple measures may include:
- Rinsing gently with warm salt water
- Keeping the area clean
- Flossing carefully if food is trapped between teeth
- Avoiding very hot, cold, sugary, or hard foods if they worsen the pain
- Chewing on the opposite side
- Using a cold compress on the outside of the cheek if swelling is present
These steps are intended for comfort while you arrange proper dental care—not as substitutes for treatment.
Can Children Use Cloves for Toothache?
Extra caution is necessary with children.
Do not give children clove oil to swallow.
Concentrated eugenol can be dangerous when swallowed, and children are particularly vulnerable to poisoning from essential oils. MedlinePlus notes that relatively small amounts of eugenol oil can cause serious toxicity, with potentially severe effects in children.
Medicinal clove-oil products may also have specific age restrictions. One regulated clove-oil dental product, for example, states that it should not be used for teething and isn’t recommended for children under 2 because of inadequate safety data.
For a child with tooth pain, it’s much safer to speak with a dentist or pediatric healthcare professional than to experiment with concentrated essential oils.
What About Pregnancy?
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, don’t assume that a concentrated herbal remedy is automatically safe.
Safety information for medicinal clove-oil preparations may be limited in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and some product information advises against use because adequate safety data aren’t available.
If you’re pregnant and experiencing tooth pain, contact your dentist. Dental problems should not simply be left untreated because you’re pregnant.
A dentist can recommend appropriate pain management and treatment based on your individual circumstances.
Can Cloves Prevent Toothache?
Cloves aren’t a substitute for routine oral hygiene.
If you want to reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum problems, focus on habits with established dental-health benefits:
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between your teeth regularly.
- Limit frequent sugary foods and drinks.
- Have regular dental examinations.
- Don’t ignore recurring dental sensitivity or pain.
A home remedy may make discomfort temporarily easier to tolerate, but prevention is far more valuable than repeatedly masking symptoms.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t Pack a Cavity With Clove Oil
Concentrated oil can irritate the surrounding tissues, and swallowing it can be dangerous.
Don’t Hold a Clove Against Your Gum for Hours
Long or repeated exposure may irritate oral tissues.
Don’t Assume Pain Relief Means the Problem Is Gone
A cavity, cracked tooth, or infection can continue progressing even when symptoms temporarily improve.
Don’t Delay Treatment for Severe Pain
Persistent or severe toothache should be evaluated rather than repeatedly treated at home.
Don’t Give Clove Oil to a Child to Drink
Eugenol poisoning can be serious, especially in young children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does holding a clove in your mouth help toothache?
It may provide temporary relief because cloves contain eugenol, a compound with local anesthetic and analgesic properties. However, evidence specifically for holding a whole clove against a tooth is limited, and it doesn’t treat the underlying cause of tooth pain.
How long should I keep a clove in my mouth?
There isn’t a medically established duration for using a whole culinary clove as a toothache remedy. If it causes burning, irritation, or worsening pain, remove it immediately. Avoid prolonged or repeated exposure to the gums.
Is clove oil better than whole cloves?
Clove oil contains much more concentrated eugenol, so it isn’t necessarily “better” or safer. Concentrated oil can irritate oral tissues and can be toxic if swallowed.
Can cloves cure a tooth infection?
No. Cloves may temporarily reduce pain, but they cannot remove decay, drain an abscess, repair a cracked tooth, or treat the underlying dental disease.
Can I put clove oil directly on my gums?
It’s best not to apply concentrated clove oil directly to your gums. Medicinal clove-oil products warn that contact with gums and other soft tissues can cause irritation or damage.
When should I seek urgent dental care?
Seek urgent care for severe or persistent tooth pain, facial or mouth swelling, fever associated with dental symptoms, significant trauma, or pain that cannot be controlled with appropriate over-the-counter medication.
The Bottom Line
Holding a whole clove near a painful tooth is a traditional remedy that may provide short-term comfort, but it isn’t a cure for toothache.
The likely reason it can feel soothing is eugenol, a natural compound in cloves that has local numbing and pain-relieving properties. Research on eugenol and dental applications provides some support for its analgesic effects, although evidence for the simple home practice of holding a whole clove in the mouth is much less definitive.
If you choose to try a whole clove as a temporary measure, use it cautiously and stop if it irritates your mouth. Avoid swallowing concentrated clove oil or applying undiluted essential oil to your gums. High amounts of eugenol can cause serious poisoning, while direct contact with oral tissues can cause burning and irritation.
Most importantly, don’t let temporary pain relief convince you that a dental problem has disappeared. A persistent toothache is a symptom, not a diagnosis. A dentist can identify the cause and provide treatment that addresses the problem rather than simply masking the pain.
