Some patients do not want to take pharmaceuticals for a variety of reasons, and can use these herbs instead. The following herbs can be very helpful in addition to or instead of antibiotics. An abscessed tooth, one where the swelling and inflammation is progressing from your tooth to other parts of your face, is life- threatening. It is not a time for self treatment. An astringent wash can be very helpful as a first defense in the early stages of a toothache.
Astringents are antiseptic and help shrink swollen tissue.
Astringent washes can be used concurrently with antibiotics and can be of some help in the maintenance of healthy gums. I use this type of mouthwash every once in a while, even when my teeth and gums are healthy. Do not swallow an astringent mouthwash, as this can cause an upset stomach. The standard herbal mouthwash astringent is Myrrh Gum. I personally do not use this herb, because of my bioregional beliefs.