A toothache is pain originating in or around a tooth, often signaling a problem with the nerve-containing pulp or surrounding tissues. People often look for quick relief, and alcohol has long been a common, though misguided, home remedy. Consuming or applying alcohol to an aching tooth can significantly worsen the pain and lead to other serious health issues. Understanding how alcohol affects the mouth is important for managing dental pain safely.
How Ingested Alcohol Affects Dental Pain
Drinking alcohol causes vasodilation, widening blood vessels throughout the body. This increases blood flow and raises internal pressure within tissues, including the dental pulp chamber inside the tooth. When a tooth is inflamed due to decay or infection, the nerve is already swollen and pressing against the tooth’s rigid inner walls. Introducing alcohol amplifies this swelling and pressure, leading to a noticeable increase in throbbing pain.
Many alcoholic beverages contain high levels of sugar and are highly acidic. The acidity can erode compromised enamel, and the sugar feeds bacteria that cause decay and infection, which are the underlying sources of the toothache. If the pain is caused by an exposed nerve, the acidic and sugary liquid directly irritates the sensitive area, worsening the discomfort. Alcohol also has a dehydrating effect, negatively impacting the body’s ability to heal an existing infection.
Risks of Applying Alcohol Directly to the Tooth
The traditional practice of rinsing with or applying high-proof alcohol, such as whiskey, directly to the painful area is discouraged by dental professionals. While the alcohol may cause a temporary, localized numbing sensation, it acts as a chemical irritant to the delicate soft tissues of the mouth. The high concentration of alcohol can cause chemical burns on the gums, cheek lining, and tongue, resulting in tissue damage and heightened sensitivity.
If the toothache is due to a large cavity or fracture that has exposed the pulp, direct contact with alcohol causes an immediate and intense jolt of pain. Instead of providing relief, the alcohol severely irritates the exposed nerve endings deep within the tooth structure. This irritation exacerbates inflammation and can potentially delay necessary professional treatment.
Interaction with Pain Medications
Combining alcohol with pain medications commonly used for toothaches creates significant health risks. When alcohol is consumed with Acetaminophen, the risk of serious liver damage is substantially increased because both substances are processed through the liver. This combination pushes the liver to work overtime and can lead to toxicity, especially with chronic use or high doses.
Mixing alcohol with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen heightens the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and the formation of stomach ulcers. Both NSAIDs and alcohol irritate the stomach lining, and combining them significantly compounds this effect. If a toothache is severe and requires prescription opioid pain relievers, combining them with alcohol is extremely dangerous, as it can potentiate sedation, slow breathing, or lead to respiratory depression.
Immediate and Safe Relief Strategies
There are several safe and effective strategies to manage toothache discomfort while waiting for professional dental care. Applying a cold compress or an ice pack to the outside of the cheek helps reduce external swelling and temporarily numb the pain by constricting blood vessels. Rinsing the mouth gently with a warm salt water solution can help clean the area and reduce inflammation. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen, offer temporary relief when taken strictly according to package directions.