Can mouthwash relieve toothache?

Jun 28, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I've had a toothache for the past few days. My husband said using mouthwash might help relieve it, so I'd like to ask, can mouthwash help alleviate tooth pain?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Guo Huijie
Mouthwash can indeed play a certain role in relieving tooth pain, but its effectiveness is limited and it cannot cure tooth pain at the root. Its main functions include removing food debris from the mouth, preventing dental caries, disinfecting and killing bacteria, and freshening breath. In some cases, such as pain caused by gingivitis, periodontitis, or pericoronitis of wisdom teeth, mouthwash may help alleviate pain by removing bacteria, food debris, and soft plaque from the oral cavity. However, for tooth pain caused by severe oral conditions such as acute pulpitis, mouthwash may be ineffective and could even irritate the pulp, worsening the pain. Therefore, although mouthwash plays a certain role in maintaining oral health, it cannot replace professional dental treatment. When tooth pain occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention and implement targeted treatment measures after identifying the underlying cause.