Cinnamon for Gums: Does It Help Treat Toothaches

Research suggests that some of the compounds in cinnamon have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source).
This may be why some people throughout history have used the spice to help treat toothaches and other ailments (5Trusted Source).
This article explores whether cinnamon may benefit your gums, oral health, and dental hygiene.

How cinnamon fights infections
Cinnamon’s antimicrobial properties may help fight off pathogens like bacteria and fungi (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).
Because many infections of the mouth are caused by bacteria and fungi, cinnamon has been studied as a potential treatment for dental ailments.

Some of the main beneficial compounds in cinnamon are (6Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source):
• cinnamaldehyde
• cinnamic acid
• cinnamyl acetate
• cinnamyl alcohol
• coumarin
• eugenol
• linalool
• phenol
• beta-caryophyllene

Antibacterial effects
Cinnamaldehyde appears to be among the most powerful compounds in cinnamon. Additionally, the spice contains other healthy plant compounds known as polyphenols (12Trusted Source).
These compounds fight bacteria by damaging their cell walls and preventing cell division, thereby inhibiting bacterial growth (8Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).

Multiple studies have found cinnamon bark oil to be effective against the Streptococcus mutans bacterium — a common cause of cavities, tooth decay, and enamel erosion — in children with cavities (14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source, 16, 17Trusted Source).
Antifungal effects
A few of the compounds found in cinnamon, particularly cinnamaldehyde, act as antimicrobials that help fight off bacteria and fungi. Whether these benefits can be applied to promote oral health in humans remains to be proven.

Does it work for toothaches?
Cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory properties might help relieve pain, while its antimicrobial properties may help prevent an underlying infection from occurring and causing pain.
Does it work for gingivitis?
In test-tube studies, cinnamon oils have been shown to work against various bacteria strains that can cause gingivitis.
How to use cinnamon on teeth and gums
In traditional medicine, cinnamon is often applied directly to the affected areas in the mouth. Some may chew on cinnamon sticks, rinse with cinnamon water, or mix ground cinnamon with honey and apply it to the area in pain.

However, there’s limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of such techniques. Plus, most studies on cinnamon for toothaches and mouth infections have used either cinnamon extracts, essential oils, or individual compounds isolated from cinnamon — not the ground spice.
Potential side effects
In general, cinnamon is considered safe for human use. No evidence has suggested that it could be toxic to cells in the mouth (22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source, 36Trusted Source).

Nevertheless, there may be risks to using cinnamon for certain groups of people or those who apply it directly to their mouth.
For example, one team of researchers found that high exposure to cinnamon extract could change the tooth enamel — the outer layer of the tooth — and that overexposure may cause changes in tooth color (37, 38).
Also, some people may be sensitive to cinnamon and cinnamon flavors and even react to cinnamon ingredients with swelling and inflammation of the mouth and lips (39Trusted Source, 40Trusted Source, 41Trusted Source).

What’s more, some people are allergic to cinnamon. Some signs and symptoms include experiencing the following in the mouth and throat region (40Trusted Source, 42Trusted Source, 43Trusted Source):
• swelling
• burning
• soreness
• skin irritation