How to ease a toothache until you can see a dentist
Home steps that can take the edge off the pain, what to avoid, and when a toothache can't wait.
Rinse with warm salt water, gently floss to remove trapped food, and hold a cold compress on your cheek. Over-the-counter pain relievers taken as the label directs can help. Avoid very hot, cold or sweet foods. These steps ease pain only. Call a dentist soon, and seek urgent care for swelling, fever or trouble swallowing.
Home steps that can help
- Rinse your mouth with warm water mixed with about half a teaspoon of salt, then spit
- Floss gently around the sore tooth; a trapped piece of food can cause a lot of pressure
- Hold a cold pack wrapped in a cloth against your cheek for 15 to 20 minutes at a time
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the package, if it's safe for you; ask a pharmacist if you take other medicines or have health conditions
- Keep your head raised when lying down, which can ease throbbing
- Chew on the other side and choose soft, lukewarm foods
What to avoid
- Don't place aspirin or any tablet directly on the gum or tooth; it can burn the tissue
- Don't use heat on your face if there's swelling
- Don't poke the tooth with sharp objects
- Don't take more pain medicine than the label allows
- Don't ignore pain that goes away suddenly; a nerve can stop hurting as it dies while infection continues
What might be causing the pain
A toothache can come from many things. Common causes include a cavity that has reached the inner layer of the tooth, a cracked tooth, a loose or broken filling, gum infection, a wisdom tooth coming in, or an abscess at the root tip. Sinus congestion and clenching can also make upper back teeth ache.
Pain that lingers after something cold or hot, wakes you at night, or throbs on its own often means the nerve is irritated or infected. A dentist will look, test the tooth and usually take an X-ray to find the cause.
What to tell the dental office when you call
A few details help the office decide how soon you need to be seen and how much time to book:
- Which tooth or area hurts, and when the pain started
- Whether it's sharp, dull, throbbing, or only when you bite
- Whether hot, cold or sweet foods set it off, and how long the pain lingers
- Any swelling, fever, bad taste or a bump on the gum
- Medications you've taken for the pain and when
- Any health conditions, allergies or other medicines
When it can't wait
Go to a hospital emergency department or call 911 if you have swelling that spreads to your eye, neck or under your jaw, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a high fever with facial swelling. These can be signs of a serious infection.
For pain without those signs, call a dentist. Our office tries to see urgent problems the same day when possible, Monday to Thursday. If you're unsure what to do, Health811 offers free health advice from a registered nurse by phone.
Frequently asked questions
Will antibiotics fix a toothache?
Antibiotics may help control a spreading infection, but they don't remove the cause. The tooth still needs treatment such as a filling, root canal or extraction.
Is clove oil safe to use?
Some people dab a small amount of clove oil on a cotton ball near the sore tooth. Use it sparingly, as it can irritate the gums, and don't use it on young children.
Why does my tooth hurt more at night?
Lying flat increases blood flow to the head, which can add pressure to an inflamed tooth. Propping your head up may help.
Can I wait if the pain goes away?
Have the tooth checked anyway. Pain that stops on its own can mean the nerve has died, and infection may continue without symptoms.
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Trusted health information
General information only; not a substitute for an exam. Reviewed by Dr. Sayeh Maralani, DDS, general dentist. Last updated 2026-11-03.
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