Dental pain can range from a simple, fleeting discomfort to intense pain radiating to the jaw, ears, or head. Regardless of its severity, it disrupts eating, sleeping, and concentration. While a dental consultation remains essential to treat the underlying cause, certain natural approaches can help alleviate pain while waiting for an appointment or as a complement to treatment.
What are the causes of dental pain?
Tooth decay is the most common cause of dental pain. This damage to the enamel, caused by bacteria in dental plaque, creates hypersensitivity to cold, heat, and sugar. But other factors can also be responsible:
- The eruption of wisdom teeth, which can exert pressure on adjacent teeth.
- A dental crack resulting from an impact or a bite that was too hard.
- A bacterial infection or a dental abscess, requiring urgent treatment.
- Maxillary sinusitis, with pain radiating to the upper teeth.
- Bruxism: the clenching and grinding of teeth, often linked to chronic stress, causes pain in the gums, jaw and recurring headaches.
In case of severe tooth pain, fever, swelling, or pus, an emergency dental consultation is essential: these signs may indicate an abscess requiring antibiotic treatment. The natural approaches presented here are not a substitute for dental care.
How to naturally relieve dental pain?
While waiting for a dentist appointment, several natural remedies can help alleviate the pain:
Clove is one of the oldest and best-documented remedies for toothache. It contains eugenol, a compound with anesthetic and antibacterial properties. A few drops of clove essential oil diluted in a carrier oil, applied to the gum with cotton, provide rapid relief.
Rinsing with salt water reduces inflammation and limits bacterial growth. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth for 30 seconds, two to three times a day.
Applying local cold (ice cube wrapped in a cloth) to the cheek for 15 to 20 minutes helps to reduce swelling and slightly numb the painful area.
Stress management is particularly helpful for people who suffer from bruxism. Techniques such as heart coherence or meditation can reduce nighttime tension. Our article on breathing techniques for stress reduction offers practical exercises.
Can CBD help with tooth pain?
CBD (cannabidiol) is a natural molecule extracted from hemp, with no psychotropic effects or risk of addiction, and is legal in France. It acts via the endocannabinoid system, whose CB1 and CB2 receptors are present in nerve and inflammatory tissues, including those of the gums and jaw.
Preliminary research suggests that CBD may modulate the transmission of pain signals via TRPV1 receptors and exert an anti-inflammatory effect on peripheral tissues. Its potential effect on anxiety and stress—aggravating factors in bruxism and pain perception—is also being investigated. A review published in Frontiers in Pharmacology (Vučković et al., 2018) confirms the analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of CBD in several contexts of chronic pain.
This data remains preliminary: CBD is classified as a "Novel Food" in Europe and has no official health claims regarding dental pain. It does not replace dental care or antibiotic treatment in case of infection.
How to use CBD for dental pain?
Two approaches are possible:
- Local application : a drop of CBD oil placed directly on the gum or sore tooth can provide rapid local relief, especially if the formula contains peppermint (surface anesthetic properties) or bay laurel (known analgesic properties).
- Sublingual administration : a few drops under the tongue allow for rapid absorption into the bloodstream (15 to 45 minutes) with an action on the central perception of pain and on the associated stress.
For dosage, start with 5 to 10 mg per day and gradually increase according to your needs, without exceeding 50 mg daily. If you are taking medication (antibiotics, painkillers), consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting CBD. To learn more about the criteria for choosing a suitable oil, see our article "Which CBD Oil to Choose ."
Dental pain often disrupts sleep. If you're looking for ways to sleep better despite the pain, our article on natural remedies for insomnia can help while you wait for your dental appointment.
Regarding the regulatory framework, ANSES publishes reference information on cannabidiol and its Novel Food status in France .
Frequently asked questions about dental pain and CBD
Can CBD replace a painkiller for dental pain?
No. CBD can provide additional relief but does not replace pain medication (paracetamol, ibuprofen) or, even less so, dental treatment. In case of severe pain, consult your dentist promptly and use the medication prescribed or recommended by your pharmacist.
Is CBD effective against bruxism?
Since bruxism is often linked to stress, CBD's potential effect on anxiety could indirectly reduce teeth grinding episodes. Preliminary studies on its anxiolytic effect are promising, but no specific clinical trials on bruxism have yet been conducted. An occlusal splint prescribed by a dentist remains the gold standard treatment.
Can CBD oil be applied directly to an infected gum?
If an abscess or infection is suspected (swelling, pus, fever), topical application of CBD is insufficient and may mask the symptoms of an infection requiring antibiotic treatment. Consult a dentist urgently in this case.
Updated June 2026: As of May 15, 2026, CBD products intended for ingestion (oils, gummies, candies, infusions, food supplements) are no longer authorized for sale in France under the European Novel Food Regulation. An appeal is currently pending before the Council of State; this article will be updated depending on the outcome.
Sources
- Vučković S. et al. (2018). Cannabinoids and Pain: New Insights From Old Molecules. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9:1259.
- PubMed. Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety and pain. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33057645/
- ANSES. CBD (cannabidiol). anses.fr