Clove oil is no joke—I did the same thing once, thinking more would be better for my sore gums. Ended up with a numb tongue and a weird burning feeling that lasted way too long. What helped me was measuring out drops and mixing them into warm water, literally just a couple drops at first. If it still felt off, I tossed it and started over, which felt wasteful but safer. With braces, even mild stuff can sneak up on you, so now I always test a tiny bit before going all in. Sometimes the simplest saltwater rinse is the only thing that doesn’t backfire...
I get the whole “less is more” approach, but honestly, I’ve had mixed results diluting strong tinctures or essential oils in water. Sometimes it just spreads the problem out, especially with stuff like clove oil—eugenol is potent even at low concentrations. I’ve actually tried neutralizing a too-strong herbal extract by adding a carrier oil (like coconut or olive), then using a tiny bit topically instead of orally. It’s not perfect, but it feels less wasteful than tossing everything. Saltwater rinses are definitely safer, but sometimes they don’t cut it for real pain...
Interesting to hear about using carrier oils to tone things down—I've tried that with clove oil a couple of times, mostly for toothache. It did seem to make it less harsh on the gums, but I always wondered if I was just diluting the pain rather than actually helping. You’re right about eugenol being potent; even a drop too much can feel like you set your whole mouth on fire.
I’m a bit wary about DIY extractions in general, especially after one time I tried making my own peppermint tincture and it ended up tasting like turpentine. I was tempted to “fix” it with honey and more water, but honestly, it just made more bad-tasting liquid. Ended up tossing it anyway, which felt wasteful, but I figured better that than risking an upset stomach or burning my mouth.
About saltwater rinses—I know they’re safe, but I agree, sometimes they just don’t touch nerve pain. For me, the only thing that really helped was alternating between saltwater and a cold compress outside my cheek. Not exactly high-tech, but it dulled things enough to get through the night before seeing the dentist.
I do wonder if adding carrier oil to a botched tincture actually makes it safer, or just spreads out the strong stuff. Maybe it’s a bit of both. I’ve read somewhere that some compounds don’t dissolve well in oil versus alcohol or water, so maybe it depends on what you’re trying to fix. Either way, I’d be nervous using anything homemade inside my mouth unless I was sure what was in it.
Curious if anyone else has had luck “rescuing” a too-strong extract, or if it’s really just best to start over. Sometimes feels like a waste, but my mouth’s been through enough surprises already...
I get the urge to salvage a batch that goes sideways, but honestly, I’m not convinced adding carrier oil really fixes the core issue. You might make it less irritating, but you can’t guarantee what you’re actually ingesting at that point—especially if the extraction was off from the start. I’ve read that some compounds just don’t mix well with oil, so you could end up with a weird separation or unpredictable potency. Personally, I’d rather cut my losses than risk another round of mouth drama. Just feels safer, even if it’s annoying to toss stuff out.