Dental Pain: Acupressure Points & Self-Care

A toothache is pain in or around a tooth. It is often the result of tooth decay or an infection or irritation of the tooth. Other causes include an abscessed tooth, an injury to the jaw or mouth, a sinus infection, worn or broken teeth, and an earache. A heart attack can also cause jaw pain, neck pain or toothache.

Traditional use: in TCM, points such as LI-4, ST-6 and ST-7 are traditionally used for toothache and jaw pain.

Recognizing Symptoms

Physical Symptoms

  • Pain in or around a tooth

Primary Points for Dental Pain

Select a point to learn more.

Additional Support Points

Select a point to learn more.

Self-Care Acupressure Routines

Dental Pain Routine (5-10 minutes)

  1. Sit comfortably and breathe slowly
  2. Press LI-4 firmly for 1-2 minutes each hand
  3. Massage ST-6 and ST-7 in small circles
  4. For upper tooth pain: add gentle pressure to SI-18
  5. For lower tooth pain: try ST-44 or GV-26

Everyday Considerations

Prevention

  • Oral hygiene: Floss, use fluoride toothpaste and keep sugar low to prevent tooth decay
  • Grinding: Tell your dentist if you might grind your teeth

Pregnancy

  • Traditionally avoided during pregnancy: LI-4. Skip this point if you are or may be pregnant.

When to Seek Medical Care

See a dentist if you have

  • A severe toothache
  • A toothache that lasts longer than a day or two
  • A fever, an earache, or pain when you open your mouth wide