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Last Updated on March 7, 2023 by Lydia Martin
For centuries, drinking whiskey, Scotch, and vodka has been used as a folk remedy for toothaches.
Alcohol is believed to fight bacteria causing toothache while numbing the pain. And the sweet taste has said to have anti-inflammatory properties, reducing inflammation and tooth infection.
But is whiskey really an effective remedy for dental pain? Can we rely on whiskey as a dental treatment?
We took the time to investigate and finally found the best whiskey for a toothache.
Top 7 Whiskeys Believed To Cure A Toothache
7. Fireball Cinnamon Whisky
Average Price: roughly $14/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 33% ABV
Why We Like It: This flavored whisky has the lowest ABV on this list, so the numbing reaction won’t be as effective here as in others.
It can provide temporary relief from tooth pain due to its sweet taste, releasing some anti-inflammatory properties essential to oral health and preventing common and debilitating pain from toothache.
6. Old Forester Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: roughly $25/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 43% ABV
Why We Like It: Aged for a minimum of six years, Old Forester has a smooth and light flavor, making it an excellent numbing agent to ease toothache.
“The people that are looking for this kind of remedy are often afraid to go to the dentist.”
— Dr. Matthew J. Messina, Dentist & American Dental Association Spokesperson
Though there’s no scientific evidence to support this claim, at least it helps as an immediate relief or reduces the pain a bit to give you ample time and energy to prepare for a visit to a dentist.
5. Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: roughly $22/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: Wild Turkey is another smooth bourbon that can ease toothaches–but for short-term relief only.
This isn’t as strong a spirit as any other hard liquor; you can let alcohol disinfect you’re affected tooth to kill germs or disease-causing tooth pain.
If you don’t want to make the pain worse, drinking Wild Turkey helps, but you can also gargle it for a few seconds, like what you did with a saltwater rinse.
4. Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: roughly $32/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 45% ABV
Why We Like It: The subtle sweetness of Maker’s Mark contains anti-inflammatory properties, helping to relieve pain from tooth decay or aching tooth.
Honestly, this isn’t a permanent solution, but during the pain, we just want anything to alleviate toothache to feel better and have the mood and tolerance to seek a dentist’s help.
3. Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: roughly $32/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: This 8-year-old bourbon (estimated) delivers rich flavors covering the entire mouth with bold notes, providing a good numbing effect on gums and any affected area.
Most of the old wives’ tale we heard and read through forums–online and offline– claims Jim Beam to be one of the effective home remedies to kill bacteria and treat pain caused by toothache.
2. Knob Creek Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: roughly $39/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 50% ABV
Why We Like It: Knob Creek isn’t just a drink for sipping or mixing; it’s one of the best whiskey expressions believed to be an effective remedy to your aching tooth.
It can reduce pain if you gargle and spit this spirit. The toothache pain will lessen for some time, helping your gums relax.
If you can swish whiskey of this flavor, then do so, as it can be more effective.
The longer the alcohol stays on the affected area, the longer the antibacterial properties will fight bacteria causing tooth decay or tooth pain.
1. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
Average Price: roughly $27/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: Jack Daniel’s is one of the suggested whiskey bottles that can treat toothaches. You can put ice cubes on the glass of JD, then drink it with a bit of swishing while on the mouth.
Besides drinking and gargling whiskey, some prefer to soak a cotton ball in alcohol to use it as a cold compress for the affected gum and lessen the tooth pain.
Additionally, the antiseptic properties of Jack Daniel’s help treat toothache or act as pain relief.
However, it doesn’t guarantee anything, and the effect may vary from one person to another.
How Do You Use Whiskey To Treat A Toothache?
Drink It
The most common way of using whiskey to treat tooth pain is by drinking it. But to be an effective pain relief remedy, you better swish the strong spirit around your mouth.
Gargle & Spit
Like rinsing with salt water, get your chosen whiskey, gargle it for around 10 seconds, and spit afterward.
Use Cotton Swabs & Dab
For an immediate solution, soak a cotton ball or cotton swab in the whiskey and dab it on the aching area, like a cold compress on the skin.
Professional’s Tip: For a risk-free home remedy for toothache, you better try using essential oils: tea tree oil, clove oil, nutmeg oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, and oregano oil.
FAQs
Does whiskey help tooth infections?
Can you put whiskey on your gums?
Can whiskey be used as a painkiller?
Does rubbing whiskey help toothache?
What kind of whiskey is good for a toothache?
In Summary
While there are so many whiskey expressions you can use to help relieve toothache, it doesn’t change the fact that you need to seek help from dental professionals.
Whiskey [2] can only be a temporary reliever and may not be a reliable treatment for pain.
Although it really helps get rid of pain in some cases, there are more appropriate remedies to use that are risk-free, like apple cider vinegar and clove oil, among others.
References:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/food-science/bourbon-whiskey
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/whiskey
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
