Tea Bag for Tooth Abscess: Reduce Pain and Swelling Naturally

39 User Reviews

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4 star (3)		8%
1 star (1)		3%

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Posted by Logan (Us) on 01/30/2017
★★★★☆

Warm tea bag pulled some of the infection... Still painful but released the infection pressure.... Broken tooth exposed nerve.. Not in position to pay for a dentist... I have chronic epilepsy also and that's part of reason for broken teeth... Thank u for this remedy... My wife told me about it and I thought no way this will work but I have to give props to her, she was right.

Tea Bag

Posted by Joe (Ralph) on 12/28/2016
★★★★★

I've tried anything & everything to make the awful tooth pain to go away. I can handle pain pretty good, but toothache pain is another story! So, late this evening my mother ask me have I put a wet tea bag on it yet & I said no ma'am & kept put orajel max and other liquids similar on the affected area. I took 2-3 Otc meds to help ease the pain, & nothing.

So, about 2 hrs later I got get a wet tea bag & place it in my mouth around the tooth & after about 5 mins I notice the pain easing. After about 15 mins it was feeling a lot better. I left it on for another 15 mins for about 30 mins total!!! When I removed the teabag the swelling had gone way down and the pain was gone!

I fell asleep for about 4 hrs and woke up in a little pain and placed the teabag back on the area again. Once again in 5-7 mins I notice relief! I then repeat the same thing as before but this time leaving the teabag in my mouth and around the tooth for 45-50 mins! I noticed a little blood and puss this time on the teabag! So, this works!!! I taste a bit nasty but it's nothing compared to the pain I was in!!!

Tea Bag

Posted by Robin (Ohio) on 09/25/2016
★★★★☆

I have been battling with a couple abscesses on my top right gum for almost 2 weeks now. I had read about using a tea bag to help with the pain and extraction of the pus and blood. Today I finally tried it. My gum feels so much better already! I'm going to do it 2 more times today and for the rest of the week. Thank you for publishing this remedy.

Replied by Cindy
(Tn)
04/23/2018

I've been on antibiotics over 2 weeks, switching to new medications two days ago when I saw dentist had X-ray been googling everything known to man salt water rinse hydrogen peroxide rinse been doing Tylenol Motrin. The last 3 days it's double it size, it's tender as can be. My abscess is from lack of medical care for broken tooth for 3 years. It didn't bother me till now. Today I'm trying the tea bag and hope this golf ball size abscess decreases.

Replied by Teena
(Melbourne, Australia)
04/24/2018
233 posts

Cindy, try clay paste or coconut oil. And yes, you could use them together.

Tea Bag

Posted by Cherrygirl5496 (Spokane, Wa) on 09/05/2016
★★★★★

Yes, the tea bag works 100%. Last night I was in so much pain I was seriously thinking about heading to the ER. I couldn't take it anymore. I thought OK, if this teabag thing doesn't work then I'm going in. I wet a black tea teabag and placed it on my gums and around the tooth that was causing the toothache. It started to relieve the pain right away. I laid down with the teabag still in place and fell asleep. I woke up about 4 hours later and was pain free. I took the tea bag out to rinse it and noticed that even without it there I wasn't in pain. It's been about an hour or so and I'm still pain free. This WORKS! It will get you by until you can get into your dentist. I tried just about everything I could think of last night and nothing worked like the teabag did.

Tea Bag

Posted by Baern (San Antonio, Tx) on 07/27/2016
★★★★★

My rear left molar gets infected often. I cannot afford dental work and am not in a situation to easily obtain antibiotics, so I did some reading, tried this, and this is how it worked out. I want to start off by admitting that I'm a smoker and my gums would make a dentist cry. That said...

I swished with warm salt water first, and then steeped a Bigelow black teabag in boiled, hot water for 3 minutes, as if I was actually making a normal cup. I dumped the tea out (yuck) and put the bag in the back of my mouth and chewed down on it. I watched an episode of a TV show to shift my focus from the bag while spitting out the tea (I hate tea) juice mixed with my saliva every once in a while. The worst of the pain subsided for me after about 5 minutes but I kept it on there for a half hour. The swelling went down and the pain was gone. The second time I did this, I felt a tight pinch on my gum and when I took out the bag, some puss and yuck had collected. I'm assuming the bag drew out the nasty or I tore it off after pulling it out. Either way, each session made the area more free of debris and yuck.

At night, I did the same thing but swished with warm chamomile tea afterward and lightly chewed on the bag. Chamomile has analgesic properties and is an anti-inflammatory, so that worked out well AND I was able to get a full night's sleep after chugging a cup of the stuff after swishing. When I woke up, the pain was still gone and the swelling didn't come back until a few hours into my day. Basically, you just find a combination of whatever works for you, be it garlic, clove oil, black tea, peppermint, etc and keep at it every 4-6 hours until you can see a doctor.

To summarize my personal method:

1. Swish and gurgle with salt water or hydrogen peroxide (if you can stand it) to get the grunt of the gunk out.

2. Clamp on steeped bag for a half hour.

3. Drink hot peppermint tea (day) or hot chamomile tea (night) afterward for the extra boost.

4. Take it easy with your toothbrush throughout the day and ensure you sterilize it after each use to negate putting infection right back in your mouth.

5. Repeat 1-3, as needed, every 4-6 hours.

For me, the infection went away after a week but that was just me, I am by no means a doctor, so take my case as anecdotal at best. Again, I'm a smoker so my body takes longer to heal and I cut back while I had the infection. If you're a smoker, try to smoke less when you have a tooth infection.

Heed my warning: This is just a bandaid. Your tooth is still impacted and a breeding ground for bacteria to collect in. If you have an impacted tooth or any gum disease, you need to see a dentist asap because the infection will definitely keep coming back. You do NOT want the infection in your bone or worse: travel to your brain.

Tea Bag

Posted by Edd G. (Monroe, La) on 07/04/2016
★★★★★

I had a tooth extraction 7 days ago--and it got infected. Suffered pain for 7 days. Tried everything drug store had for pain but nothing worked. Finally tried tea bags --amazing results--it works--within 1 hour my pain started going away.

Just put on where the pain is and use 2-3 bags over 2-4 hrs - will cure swelling and pain.

Tea Bag

Posted by Julie (Champlin, Minn) on 06/25/2016
★★★★★

Had a abscess in pain for 3 days, I was taking penicillin and Tylenol + ibuprofen . Would only last 2 hours, in pain the rest of the time. Client told me try tea bag. Could not believe the difference!! Had no pain last night but woke up this morning with pain used the tea bags again, amazingly it worked again . Still swollen but slowly going down.

Tea Bag

Posted by Beachbaybie (Asheville, Nc) on 06/24/2016
★★★★★

In response to the black tea and peppermint tea bags! They drew the infection and I no longer look like I have an egg stuck in my cheek/jaw! The pain is minimal, there is still swelling and pain but relief. I will continue and start putting garlic on it and hopefully get a good night's sleep! Thanks everyone! Whew.

Tea Bag

Posted by Tom (Wi) on 05/24/2016
★★★★★

Tea bag treatment for tooth abscess WORKS! I thought of going to the emergency room last night because the wisdom tooth pain was so bad.

I used a little warm tap water on a black tea bag, folded it in half (long ways) and placed it on top of the tooth and waited. Within a half hour the pain wasn't so bad within the hour I was saying Thank you! Did it again in the morning for a hour and all I can say is do it, you have nothing to lose but that Dam tooth ache.

Thanks again for the posts.

Tea Bag

Posted by Julie (Indiana) on 05/11/2016
★★★★★

I just wanted to let you know that I had a horrible, throbbing lower rear tooth that had been bothering me for about a week! I think it was caused from getting a popcorn kernel stuck between my teeth in the gums! My tooth & gums felt really sore, but it caused my lower jaw to ache too. I took ibuprofin, tried the salt rinse and the hydrogen peroxide rinse too, but the pain would come back. I finally tried the tea bag treatment, and let it sit there for over a 1/2 hour each time. I did this about 4 times yesterday and a couple times today. It feels so much better! I couldn't believe it! It must've got the infection out of that tooth or gums. I'm going to keep doing it until it feels 100% better! The black tea bag treatment really works!!! Thanks for the information about doing it!!

Tea Bag

Posted by Genxmum (Usa) on 03/22/2014
★★★★★

I was in horrible pain. Molar and gum inflamed and swollen. I tried several other remedies mentioned but none of them worked. I read that a tea bag might help so used a warm wet black tea bag against the gum under that tooth. Right away it started feeling better. Used the tea bags about 3-4 times a day for at least 30 minutes but tried to keep it in longer. It reduced the pain & swelling till it was gone over a few days. In no way should this replace a dentist visit but if it's middle of the night and you're in tooth pain this just might help remove the pain until you can see the dentist.

Tea Bag

Posted by Theresed (New York City, Ny ) on 09/06/2013
★★★★★

I had a pretty nasty abscess in my gums right above a bridge I've had for a couple of years. It started off as a hard lump above the bridge and after 3 days the left side of my check was swollen, my ears and head hurt and I had a black left eye. I wasn't able to get to the dentist so I came to this site which has helped me before. Yesterday I placed a Chai Vanilla (for taste reasons only) teabag (dry) in my mouth at an hour at a time for 3 hours total. Around 10pm I placed another teabag in my mouth took some melatonin in the hopes of falling asleep. An hour later the abscess ruptured and some yellow, foul smelling pus along with lots of blood came out. I can't even tell you the immediate relief that I felt. It's now the next afternoon; I have no toothache, headache or ear ache. The swelling is pretty much gone. The side of my gum aches but not terribly. I plan to place another dry teabag in my mouth to make sure I've gotten all of the pus out. This really really works.

Replied by Haunya Raup
(Williamsport Pa)
12/27/2013

Thanks for the tip. I am having thr same issue but was using a heated tea bag and it isn't working.

Replied by Candice
(SC, US)
01/06/2015

Did the pus come from the tooth or gum?

Replied by Scott
(British Columbia)
03/05/2016
★★★★★

I was in horrible pain when I read this and going down the list trying all I could (having a lot of experience in this area already) but I was desperate Id tried clove oil, garlic, onion, orajel the list goes on n on, nothing was working as it was an infection under a tooth the pressure was causing pain and felt like my tooth was much higher than it was supposed to be. I used the teabag and after a while it subsided then a bunch of pus shot up from between the tooth and gum the relief was instant.

Later it started to swell again (a few days later) so I lanced the gum to create a relief point an since then Ive been drawing the infection out until I can afford the dentist app.. thank you :)

Tea Bag

Posted by Evangeline (Bowling Green, Ohio) on 09/25/2009
★★★★★

I have had an abcessed tooth off and on for a while. I have tried just about everything on it and found one of the best remedies to be eucalyptus tea bags. Put the tea bag in your mouth around the infected tooth and hold it in there as long as you feel necessary. sometimes I would sleep with one. When you take the bag out you can literaly see some of the infection on the bag that has been drawn out of your tooth.

Replied by Adrian
(California)
05/10/2016

Do you put the tea bag in water first before putting it in your mouth

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
05/11/2016
★★★★★

Adrian,

When we use tea bags in the mouth, we find it easiest to at least dampen the tea bag first. With harder herbs especially, it will take a while for hard and dry herbs to become soft and comfortable in your mouth.

Often I put a tea bag in a mug and pour very hot water over it, just to cover it. After 5 minutes I drain the water and when the tea bag is cool, I use it in the mouth.

~Mama to Many~

Tea Bag

Posted by Dan (Birmingham, UK) on 12/28/2008
★★★★★

I will only post what I know to be fact (from practice not theory). I am posting about this only an hour after actually doing it. I read on another site that a regular tea-bag would "draw out the infection", I thought this was a bit vague and probably rubbish ... however pain will compel us to try almost anything right? After reading that "a build up of pressure will gradually increase pain and eventually lead to the puss taking the route of least resistance either into the mouth or into the jaw bone" ... that really worried me.

I soaked a regular tea-bag in cold water and gently held it in a bite against my molar for about 30mins ... this wasnt pleasant as it tastes bad and if juices from the tea-bag are swallowed it makes you gag. I persevered "just in case" this was going to help me. about 5 mins after removing the tea-bag (actually, I was giving up on the idea) .. sure enough I tasted blood and saw that the fluid under my tooth had found a way into my mouth and I was able to wash it away (there was alot of this foul fluid). I still have some pain as I type this, and I know I still have an infection and will still need dental treatment ... but I'm not worried about damage to my jaw bone now.

I don't know about "drawing the infection" (implying that this will CURE infection) but this method certainly drew out puss and blood from beneath my tooth, relieving pressure and reducing the pain considerably.

Replied by Don D.
(North Carolina)
02/12/2018
★★★★★

What do you think pus is... it's infection. Using a warm teabag is best. It helps draw the infection to the surface and helps soften the tissue so it will rupture. I was without dental insurance for a year or two because the company I worked for was so small they didn't offer insurance. This is a life saver, literally. Had a friend almost die because of an abscess. As long as it ruptures above the skin/gum you should be fine. Just try not to push on it or anything unless u can see a white head at the surface, in that case you can lance it and the relief will be instant.... good luck.

Tea Bag

Posted by Deana (Bloomington, Indiana) on 07/15/2008
★★★★★

For Very Bad Abcess Swollen up into the Eye and into the Ear and neck:

I used a lightly damp Regular Large Sized Tea Bag, The Tea Draws the Infection down to one area where it can release & pop open, into the tea bag not into your mouth, After it pops open, A rinse of Peroxide. Do not swallow. Then Water rinse & you can use a typical mouthwash to finish off... In less than 24 hours I went from swollen, Filled w/ pain, not able to talk much or eat! To I'm enjoying my moring coffee & breakfast and able to go on with my regular activities! I have had to use this several times for financial reasons & it works every time! My neighbor is thankful for trying it too..

Replied by Ella
(Fresno, Ca)
06/01/2015

What kind of teabags are you using? I just placed a detox teabag in my mouth in hope to get some relief.

Replied by Matu
(Batumi)
02/27/2017

It's black tea... not herbal "tea" which isn't tea. Only black tea.

Replied by Chris
(Usa)
04/30/2018

Thank you for great info on tea bags. Abscesses are signs of teeth, root, dentin, gum infection, etc. I guess this could lead to heart disease from chronic bacteria growth. May I ask if your health is better now and have you discovered any new ways to fight off infections? Ex. I try and floss 1 hr per day, oil pull with different plant based oils, diet change, and extra vitamins supplements. Healthy blessings to you. Chris