What are the home treatments for an infected tooth?

Home Treatments for an Infected Tooth

For an infected tooth, the primary treatment is surgical intervention (drainage, root canal therapy, or tooth extraction) rather than home remedies, as antibiotics alone are insufficient and should only be used as adjuncts in specific cases with systemic involvement. 1

Initial Home Management

While awaiting professional dental care, the following home treatments may provide temporary relief:

1. Pain Management:

   • Over-the-counter pain relievers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) following package instructions
   • Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gum or tooth as this can cause tissue damage

2. Infection Control Measures:

   • Salt water rinses (½ teaspoon salt in 8 oz warm water) every 2-3 hours
   • Avoid very hot or cold foods/beverages that may trigger pain
   • Maintain good oral hygiene by gentle brushing and flossing around the affected area

3. When to Seek Immediate Professional Care:

   • Fever, facial swelling, or lymphadenopathy
   • Difficulty swallowing or breathing
   • Severe pain unrelieved by over-the-counter medications
   • Spreading infection to surrounding tissues

Important Considerations

Type of Dental Infection and Appropriate Treatment

According to current guidelines, treatment depends on the specific type of infection:

• Acute dental abscess: Requires surgical intervention only (root canal therapy or tooth extraction) 1
• Acute dentoalveolar abscess: Requires incision and drainage, followed by antibiotics only in specific cases 1
• Apical periodontitis/acute apical abscess: Surgical drainage is key; antibiotics are not recommended for routine cases 1

Antibiotic Use

Antibiotics should NOT be used routinely for dental infections. They are only recommended as adjunctive therapy in specific circumstances:

• Patients with systemic involvement (fever, lymphadenopathy)
• Medically compromised patients
• Progressive infections extending to facial spaces 1

Effectiveness of Home Treatments vs. Professional Care

Research shows that immediate extraction of infected teeth results in:

• Faster resolution of infection
• Decreased pain
• Earlier return to normal function 2

Home remedies can only provide temporary relief but cannot resolve the underlying infection. The risk of infection spreading to deeper spaces is significant if proper treatment is delayed 2.

Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Delaying professional care: An untreated dental infection can spread to surrounding tissues and potentially become life-threatening

2. Relying solely on antibiotics: Guidelines clearly state that surgical intervention (drainage, root canal, or extraction) is the primary treatment for dental infections 1

3. Using alcohol on the affected area: This can irritate the tissues and worsen inflammation

4. Applying topical pain relievers excessively: These can damage gum tissue with prolonged use

5. Ignoring signs of spreading infection: Facial swelling, difficulty swallowing, or fever require immediate professional attention

Remember that home treatments are only temporary measures while arranging for proper dental care. The definitive treatment for an infected tooth requires professional intervention to remove the source of infection.