One of the things I enjoy most about being a dentist is the conversations that happen outside of teeth. Recently, while visiting with a patient, we started talking about old home remedies for toothaches. I mentioned the familiar use of cloves, but then they asked if I’d ever heard of the Texas “toothache tree.”
I hadn’t.
That conversation sent me down an unexpected rabbit hole. The more I learned, the more I realized that while not every old wives’ tale has stood the test of time, some traditional remedies have earned surprising respect from modern science. Our grandparents didn’t know the chemistry behind them—they simply knew what seemed to help.
Here are four examples where old wisdom and modern dentistry meet.
The Texas Toothache Tree
Native to our part of Texas, the toothache tree (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) was used by Indigenous peoples and early settlers who chewed its bark or berries to ease tooth pain. The tingling, numbing sensation wasn’t just imagination. Researchers have identified naturally occurring compounds in the plant that can temporarily numb tissues. While it’s no substitute for treating the cause of a toothache, it’s fascinating that this Texas tree earned its name honestly.
Cloves for Tooth Pain
Long before pharmacies stocked pain relievers, people often reached for a clove. Today we know cloves contain eugenol, a natural compound with mild pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. In fact, eugenol is still used in certain dental materials because of its soothing effect on irritated teeth. It’s another example of a traditional remedy that found its way into modern dentistry.
Warm Salt Water
Sometimes the simplest remedies are the ones that last the longest. Warm salt water has been used for generations to soothe sore mouths and irritated gums, and dentists still recommend it today after many dental procedures. It helps cleanse the mouth, reduce swelling, and support the body’s natural healing process. Chances are, if you’ve ever had a tooth removed, you’ve received the same advice your grandparents might have given.
Chewing Sticks
Long before toothbrushes, people cleaned their teeth with small twigs called chewing sticks. As the end softened, it formed natural bristles that helped remove plaque. Some varieties even contain naturally occurring antimicrobial compounds. While today’s toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste remain the gold standard, it’s remarkable that people understood the importance of cleaning their teeth centuries before anyone knew what bacteria were.
There’s something humbling about discovering that modern science sometimes confirms what generations of experience had already suggested. These remedies weren’t cures, and they can’t replace professional dental care, but they remind us that wisdom is often passed down through observation.
Sometimes, the old timers really did know a thing or two.
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