A toothache can make eating, sleeping and getting through your day difficult. If you are looking for home remedies for toothache, there are several safe steps that may help reduce discomfort temporarily while you arrange a dental appointment.
A warm saltwater rinse, cold compress, gentle oral hygiene, softer foods and appropriate over-the-counter pain relief may help with toothache pain. However, these measures do not cure the underlying cause of dental pain.
Toothache can result from tooth decay, a cracked tooth, gum problems, dental infection, tooth sensitivity or wisdom teeth. If your pain is severe, lasts more than two days, keeps returning or is accompanied by swelling or fever, you should arrange a dental examination.
Important: Home remedies are intended for temporary relief. They should not replace professional dental treatment when a toothache persists or becomes severe.
Quick Answer: What Can I Do for a Toothache at Home?
The safest home remedies for toothache include gently rinsing with warm salt water, applying a cold compress to the outside of your cheek, keeping your teeth and gums clean, avoiding foods that trigger pain, eating softer foods and using suitable over-the-counter pain relief according to the product directions.
These measures may make tooth pain more manageable, but they cannot repair a cavity, fix a cracked tooth or eliminate the underlying cause of a dental infection.
If your toothache lasts longer than two days, does not improve with appropriate pain relief, or occurs with swelling, fever, pain when biting or a bad taste in your mouth, see a dentist as soon as possible.
8 Home Remedies for Toothache
If you cannot see a dentist immediately, the following measures may provide temporary relief.
1. Rinse With Warm Salt Water
A warm saltwater rinse is one of the simplest home remedies for toothache pain.
It can help soothe irritated areas and keep your mouth cleaner, particularly when food or plaque has accumulated around a painful tooth or inflamed gums.
How to use a saltwater rinse
- Add about half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water.
- Stir until the salt dissolves.
- Gently swish the solution around your mouth.
- Spit it out rather than swallowing it.
Make sure the water is warm rather than very hot.
A saltwater rinse may provide temporary relief from mild toothache, but it cannot treat tooth decay or an infection inside the tooth. Healthdirect includes saltwater rinsing among the self-care measures that may help with toothache.
2. Apply a Cold Compress
- A cold compress may help if your toothache is accompanied by swelling or a throbbing sensation.
- Wrap an ice pack or cold pack in a clean towel and hold it against the outside of your cheek near the painful area.
- Avoid placing ice directly against your skin or directly on the tooth.
- A cold compress can help reduce swelling and provide temporary pain relief.
3. Keep Your Teeth and Gums Clean
- It may be tempting to stop brushing around a painful tooth, but allowing plaque and food particles to build up can contribute to further irritation.
- Continue brushing gently with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- If food is trapped between your teeth, carefully clean between them with floss or another suitable interdental cleaner.
- Avoid aggressive brushing around a particularly painful or swollen area.
- Good oral hygiene is especially important when food is becoming trapped around a tooth or partially erupted wisdom tooth.
4. Avoid Foods and Drinks That Trigger Pain
Some foods and drinks can make an existing toothache worse.
While you have dental pain, try to avoid:
- Very hot foods and drinks
- Very cold foods and drinks
- Sugary foods and drinks
- Sticky foods
- Hard or crunchy foods
- Highly acidic foods and drinks
If cold water, ice cream or hot drinks consistently cause sharp pain in one tooth, tell your dentist. Sensitivity can occur with several dental conditions, including tooth decay.
Healthdirect recommends avoiding very hot and very cold drinks when experiencing toothache and gum swelling.
5. Choose Soft Foods
Chewing can increase discomfort when a tooth is cracked, decayed or inflamed.
For temporary comfort, choose foods that require less chewing, such as:
- Scrambled eggs
- Yoghurt
- Soft pasta
- Mashed vegetables
- Soft rice
- Soup at a comfortable temperature
Try to chew on the side of your mouth that is not painful.
Avoid biting directly on the affected tooth until it has been assessed by a dentist.
6. Consider Suitable Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
Over-the-counter pain relief may help temporarily reduce toothache pain.
Paracetamol or ibuprofen may be suitable for some people, but the appropriate option depends on your individual circumstances, other medicines and health conditions.
Always:
- Follow the instructions on the product packaging.
- Take only the recommended dose.
- Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure which medicine is appropriate.
- Check with a healthcare professional if you are pregnant, have an existing health condition or take other medicines.
Healthdirect advises speaking with a doctor or pharmacist about pain-relief medicines for toothache and following the instructions on the packet.
Do not put aspirin directly on your tooth or gums
Do not place aspirin or other pain-relief tablets directly against a painful tooth or gum.
Taking medication incorrectly can cause problems, and applying tablets directly to oral tissues is not a substitute for appropriate dental treatment.
If you are unsure about pain relief, ask your pharmacist or dentist.
7. Keep Your Head Elevated While Resting
- Some people find that tooth pain feels worse when lying completely flat.
- If your toothache is making it difficult to sleep, try resting with your head slightly elevated using an extra pillow.
- This may make throbbing discomfort easier to manage.
However, if tooth pain repeatedly wakes you at night or you need ongoing pain medication, arrange a dental examination rather than continuing to rely on home remedies. Healthdirect also recommends resting with your head propped up because lying flat can sometimes make dental pain feel worse.
8. Drink Water and Stay Hydrated
- Water is a good choice when you have tooth pain.
- Drinking water helps keep your mouth hydrated and can help wash away food particles. It is also preferable to frequently consuming sugary or acidic drinks, which can contribute to dental problems.
- If your tooth is sensitive, choose water at a comfortable temperature rather than extremely cold water.
What Should You Do Based on Your Toothache Symptoms?
Not every toothache means the same thing. The symptoms you experience can help determine how quickly you should seek dental care.
| Symptoms | What to do |
|---|---|
| Mild toothache with no other symptoms | Try temporary self-care and monitor the pain |
| Sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods | Arrange a dental check if it persists or keeps returning |
| Pain when biting | Book a dental examination |
| Severe or throbbing toothache | Arrange prompt dental care |
| Toothache with swelling or fever | Seek dental care as soon as possible |
| Toothache with a bad taste or signs of infection | Arrange prompt dental assessment |
| Facial or neck swelling with difficulty breathing or swallowing | Seek emergency medical care |
A toothache that lasts more than two days or does not improve with pain relief should be assessed by a dentist.
What Are the Best Home Remedies for Severe Toothache?
If you have a severe toothache, home remedies should only be considered temporary measures while you arrange professional care.
You can try:
- A warm saltwater rinse
- A cold compress against the cheek
- Suitable over-the-counter pain relief
- Soft foods
- Avoiding very hot and cold foods and drinks
- Gentle brushing
- Keeping your head slightly elevated when resting
However, severe tooth pain can be a sign of a problem that needs dental treatment.
A dental infection, abscess, significant tooth decay or cracked tooth can cause severe pain. Swelling, fever, pain when biting or a bad taste can also occur with dental problems that require assessment.
If you have severe pain with swelling or signs of infection, do not rely on home remedies alone. The Australian Dental Association advises urgent medical attention when severe dental pain is accompanied by swelling, persistent bleeding or signs of infection such as fever or spreading swelling.
How Can I Immediately Stop a Toothache?
There is no guaranteed way to immediately stop a toothache permanently at home.
The fastest way to achieve lasting relief is to identify and treat the cause.
For temporary relief while arranging dental care:
- Gently rinse with warm salt water.
- Remove food trapped around the teeth.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek.
- Avoid foods and drinks that trigger pain.
- Use suitable over-the-counter pain relief according to the instructions.
- Keep your head elevated when resting.
- Arrange a dental appointment if the pain persists or is severe.
Pain relief can reduce your symptoms, but it does not necessarily mean the underlying dental problem has gone away.
What Causes Toothache?
A toothache is a symptom rather than a diagnosis.
Several dental conditions can cause tooth pain.
Tooth Decay
- Tooth decay occurs when acids produced by bacteria in dental plaque damage the tooth.
- As decay progresses, it can cause sensitivity or pain, particularly when eating or drinking hot, cold or sweet foods.
- A cavity cannot be repaired with a home remedy. Your dentist will need to assess the tooth and determine whether restorative treatment is required.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is an infection that can develop around or inside a tooth.
Possible symptoms include:
- Severe toothache
- Swelling
- Pain when biting
- Fever
- A bad taste
- Tenderness around the affected area
A suspected dental infection should be professionally assessed rather than treated solely with home remedies.
Cracked or Damaged Tooth
- A cracked tooth may cause pain when biting or sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
- Some cracks are difficult to see without a dental examination, so persistent pain when chewing should not be ignored.
Gum Disease
- Problems affecting the gums can cause soreness, swelling and bleeding around the teeth.
- If gum inflammation contributes to your discomfort, improving your oral hygiene can help, but professional treatment may be required depending on the cause.
Wisdom Teeth
- Wisdom teeth can cause discomfort as they erupt, particularly when there is insufficient space for them to emerge normally.
- A partially erupted wisdom tooth can also be difficult to clean, allowing food and plaque to accumulate around it.
Tooth Sensitivity
- Tooth sensitivity can cause a short, sharp sensation when you eat or drink something hot, cold, sweet or acidic.
- Sensitivity can have several causes, including enamel wear, gum recession, exposed dentine or tooth decay.
- If sensitivity affects one particular tooth or becomes persistent, have it assessed by a dentist.
What Should You Avoid Putting on a Toothache?
When searching for a home remedy for toothache, you may find many DIY treatments online.
Some popular remedies can irritate or damage your teeth and gums.
- Avoid putting aspirin directly on your gums
- Do not place aspirin directly against your tooth or gum to try to stop the pain.
- Avoid harsh household substances
- Do not apply chemicals, alcohol or other household substances directly to your tooth or gums.
- Avoid excessive heat
- Very hot compresses or drinks can make an already sensitive or inflamed area more uncomfortable.
- Avoid delaying treatment
- If the pain keeps returning, becomes severe or is accompanied by swelling, treating the symptoms repeatedly at home can delay necessary dental care.
- Avoid exceeding recommended medicine doses
- Taking more pain medication than recommended will not necessarily provide better relief and can be harmful.
- Always follow the instructions on the product packaging or ask a pharmacist for advice.
Can Home Remedies Cure a Toothache?
No. Home remedies generally provide temporary relief rather than curing the underlying cause of a toothache.
For example:
- Salt water cannot repair a cavity.
- A cold compress cannot fix a cracked tooth.
- Pain relief medication cannot remove the cause of an infected tooth.
- Avoiding cold foods cannot repair damaged tooth structure.
The appropriate dental treatment depends on the cause of the pain.
Treatment may include a filling, crown, root canal treatment, gum treatment or removal of a severely damaged or infected tooth.
Healthdirect notes that treatment for toothache depends on the underlying cause and may include fillings, crowns, root canal therapy or tooth removal.
How Long Can You Treat a Toothache at Home?
Home remedies should only be used as a short-term way to manage discomfort while arranging dental care.
See a dentist if your toothache:
- Lasts more than two days
- Does not improve with appropriate pain relief
- Keeps returning
- Gets progressively worse
- Causes pain when biting
- Is accompanied by swelling
- Occurs with a fever or bad taste
Healthdirect recommends seeing a dentist as soon as possible when toothache lasts more than two days or does not improve with pain-relief medication.
When Should You See a Dentist for Toothache?
You should arrange a dental examination if your tooth pain persists or keeps returning.
Seek dental care promptly if you have:
- Severe tooth pain
- Pain that affects sleep or daily activities
- Pain when biting
- Swelling around the tooth, gum, cheek or jaw
- Fever
- A bad taste in your mouth
- A broken or cracked tooth
- A damaged filling or crown
- Difficulty eating because of the pain
Your dentist can examine the tooth, ask about your symptoms and, when necessary, use dental X-rays to help identify the cause.
When Is Toothache a Dental Emergency?
Some symptoms require urgent medical attention rather than home treatment.
Seek emergency medical care if toothache or swelling causes:
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty swallowing
- Significant swelling around the eye or neck
These symptoms can indicate that an infection or swelling is affecting areas that can interfere with the airway. Healthdirect specifically recommends emergency care when toothache or gum swelling causes breathing or speaking difficulties or swelling around the eye or neck.
Do not wait for a home remedy to resolve these symptoms.
When to See a Dentist in Keysborough for Toothache
If you live in Keysborough or surrounding Melbourne suburbs and are experiencing persistent or severe tooth pain, booking a dental examination can help identify the cause before the problem becomes more complicated.
At Parkmore Family Dental, the dental team can assess your symptoms and determine whether your toothache is related to decay, a damaged tooth, gum problems, infection, sensitivity or another dental condition.
The appropriate treatment will depend on what is causing the pain.
Get Toothache Relief at Parkmore Family Dental
Home remedies can help you manage toothache pain temporarily, but lasting relief comes from identifying and treating the underlying dental problem.
If you have persistent, severe or recurring tooth pain, Parkmore Family Dental can assess your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment.
Don’t let ongoing tooth pain become a bigger dental problem. Book an appointment with Parkmore Family Dental to have the cause of your toothache properly assessed.
Key Takeaway
The safest home remedies for toothache are simple measures that can temporarily reduce discomfort without damaging your teeth or gums.
A warm saltwater rinse, cold compress, gentle oral hygiene, soft foods, avoiding pain-triggering foods and suitable over-the-counter pain relief may help you manage tooth pain while waiting for dental care.
However, home remedies cannot cure tooth decay, dental infections, cracked teeth or other underlying dental problems.
If your toothache lasts more than two days, becomes severe, keeps returning or is accompanied by swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing or other concerning symptoms, arrange dental care promptly.
