Can Cloves Burn the Throat?

The other day I went to the dentist because he had pulled a tooth and I was having problems with it. So he packed the tooth with cloves and put stitches in it. When the cloves stuff went down my throat it brought tears to my eyes. I now find that my throat is very sore. Any chance this stuff could have burned my throat?

Cloves and clove oil have traditionally been used in dentistry for their antiseptic and anaesthetic actions. Cloves contain a strong volatile oil and a camphor resin. These act to bring the healing blood supply to any surface that they touch, causing a burning sensation. The clove packing may have been too strong for the sensitive mucous membranes of the mouth and throat. You should discuss this with your dentist.