Toothache is one of the most common acute pains people experience. For centuries, whole cloves and clove oil have been used as a folk remedy to ease dental pain. Modern research helps explain why cloves sometimes work — and also shows important limits and safety concerns. This article explains the science, summarizes key studies, gives practical instructions, and tells you when to see a dentist.
Why cloves can help: the active ingredient (eugenol) and how it works
Cloves (the dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum) contain a high proportion of eugenol, a compound with documented analgesic (numbing), anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Eugenol is used in some dental products and has been studied for its ability to reduce pain and inhibit oral bacteria. PMC+1
Laboratory and animal studies show that eugenol can reduce nerve excitability (partly by acting on ion channels involved in transmitting pain signals) and lower the inflammatory response — two mechanisms that explain its short-term numbing effect when applied to an aching tooth. PMC
What the clinical research says (summary of human studies)
- A number of clinical trials and randomized studies have compared topical clove preparations (gels, drops or cotton soaked with clove oil) to standard topical anesthetics. One well-known randomized study found that a clove preparation reduced injection-related pain in children comparably to a 20% benzocaine gel. ScienceDirect
- Reviews and more recent literature summaries conclude that clove/eugenol has real short-term analgesic and antiseptic effects and can be a useful temporary measure for tooth pain. However, the clinical evidence is mostly for short-term symptomatic relief, not for curing underlying dental disease. ScienceDirect+1
In short: clove preparations can provide quick, temporary relief for tooth pain in many cases — but they are not a substitute for dental diagnosis or definitive treatment (filling, root canal, extraction, etc.). PMC
How to use cloves or clove oil safely for toothache (practical steps)
Important: use clove oil carefully — it is concentrated and can irritate mucous membranes or cause adverse effects if swallowed. The following are commonly recommended, conservative approaches used in studies and clinical practice:
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