A toothache has a way of taking over your whole day. If you're searching for how to relieve toothache pain right now, the good news is there are a few safe things you can try at home for fast relief. The honest part: a toothache is almost always a signal that something needs attention, like decay, an infection, a crack, a gum problem, or a lost filling. Home measures can settle the pain while you arrange an appointment, but they don't fix the cause. Think of this as comfort now, and a check-up soon. At ArtSmiles, we'd rather see you sooner than later.
How to relieve a toothache fast at home
When the pain hits, a few simple measures can take the edge off while you wait to be seen.
Over-the-counter pain relief is usually the first step. Paracetamol or ibuprofen, taken as directed on the packet, can both help. Ibuprofen often works well for dental pain because it calms inflammation (the swelling and irritation around the sore tooth). Always follow the label, and check it's suitable for you if you have other health conditions or take other medications.
A warm saltwater rinse can soothe the area and help keep it clean. Stir half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water, swish gently, then spit it out.
A cold compress held against your cheek can dull the ache and ease swelling. Wrap an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas in a tea towel and hold it on the outside of your cheek for 15 to 20 minutes. Keep it on the cheek, not directly on the tooth.
Sometimes the culprit is trapped food. Gently floss around the sore tooth to clear anything caught between your teeth. Be gentle, and don't keep digging at it.
It also helps to go easy on that side of your mouth. Avoid very hot, cold, sweet, or hard foods, which can set the pain off.
Clove oil is a traditional remedy that may numb a spot for a short while. Dab a tiny amount on a cotton bud and touch it to the sore area, using it sparingly. It's a stopgap, not a substitute for treatment.
What helps the pain of a toothache at night
Toothaches often feel worse once you lie down, and that throbbing can keep you awake. We hear this from patients almost every week.
Lying flat sends more blood flow to your head, which can increase the pressure around a sore tooth and make it pound. Propping your head up with an extra pillow or two keeps that pressure down and often makes the ache more bearable.
Taking pain relief before bed, as directed on the packet, can help you settle. A cold compress on your cheek beforehand and a warm saltwater rinse can take the edge off too. Try to avoid eating right before bed, especially anything hot, cold, or sweet on the sore side.
These steps are about getting you through the night. The tooth still needs looking at, so book in as soon as you can.
What NOT to do
A few well-meaning ideas can actually make things worse.
Don't place an aspirin tablet directly against your gum or tooth. Aspirin is meant to be swallowed, and held against the gum it can burn the soft tissue and leave you with a chemical burn on top of the toothache.
Don't ignore the pain and hope it passes. Even if it quietens down, the underlying problem usually carries on, often quietly getting worse.
And try not to keep poking or prodding the tooth with your tongue, a toothpick, or anything else. It rarely helps and tends to aggravate things.
Why a toothache shouldn't be ignored
Here's the part worth being straight about. Everything above buys you comfort, but none of it cures what's causing the pain. The relief is temporary, and the cause stays put until a dentist treats it.
A toothache can come from a few different things: decay that has reached the sensitive inner part of the tooth, an infection, a crack or chip, a gum problem, or a filling that has come loose or fallen out.
Depending on what's going on, the fix might be a simple filling, or it might be a root canal if the infection has reached the nerve inside the tooth. According to the Australian Dental Association, decay, wisdom teeth, and broken teeth are among the common reasons a tooth starts to hurt, and it's important to see a dentist as soon as possible. The sooner the cause is found, the simpler the treatment usually is.
When a toothache is a dental emergency
Most toothaches can wait for a prompt appointment. Some need attention straight away.
See a dentist urgently, or seek medical care, if you notice any of these:
Swelling in your face or gums
A fever
Pain spreading to your jaw, ear, or neck
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
A knocked-out or broken tooth
Severe pain that won't let up
Swelling combined with a fever, or any trouble breathing or swallowing, can signal an infection that's starting to spread. It's the right time to act quickly. Healthdirect's guidance on dental care is a useful starting point if you're unsure how serious things are, and you can always call your dentist for advice.
Getting the toothache sorted
Once the pain has eased, it's tempting to put off the appointment. Try not to. The tooth is telling you something, and treating it early usually means a smaller, simpler job.
Book in with your dentist as soon as you can. If the pain is severe, you have swelling, or it's after hours, an emergency dentist can see you promptly and get you comfortable. Bring along any details about your pain, what makes it better or worse, and any medications you take.
References
Healthdirect Australia. (n.d.). Dental care. healthdirect.gov.au
Australian Dental Association. (n.d.). 3 reasons you may have a toothache. teeth.org.au
A note on this article
This article is general information, not personal dental or medical advice. Everyone's situation is different, so please see a dentist about your own symptoms, and seek urgent care if you have swelling, fever, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
The cover image for this article was generated using AI. It is for illustration only and is not a clinical photograph of a patient or a real case.
Frequently asked questions
How do I relieve a toothache fast?
For fast relief while you arrange an appointment, try over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, taken as directed on the packet. A warm saltwater rinse can soothe the area, and a cold compress held on your cheek for 15 to 20 minutes can dull the ache. Gently floss to clear any trapped food, and go easy on very hot, cold, sweet, or hard foods on that side. These steps ease the pain, but they don't fix the cause, so book in to see a dentist.
What helps a toothache at night?
Toothaches often throb more once you lie down, because lying flat raises the pressure around a sore tooth. Propping your head up on an extra pillow or two can make a real difference. Taking pain relief before bed, as directed on the packet, helps you settle, and a cold compress on your cheek beforehand can ease the ache. Try not to eat right before bed, especially anything hot, cold, or sweet on the sore side. If the pain keeps returning at night, that's a clear sign the tooth needs a dentist's attention.
Can a toothache go away on its own?
Sometimes the pain settles for a while, but that usually doesn't mean the problem is gone. The cause, whether it's decay, an infection, a crack, or a lost filling, generally stays there and often gets worse quietly. Pain that eases can even be a sign a nerve has been damaged. It's best not to wait and hope. Even if you feel better, see a dentist so the actual cause can be found and treated before it turns into something bigger.
When is a toothache an emergency?
A toothache becomes an emergency if you notice swelling in your face or gums, a fever, pain spreading to your jaw, ear, or neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, a knocked-out or broken tooth, or severe pain that won't let up. Swelling with a fever, or any trouble breathing or swallowing, can mean an infection is spreading, which needs urgent care. In these cases, contact a dentist straight away or seek medical care. An emergency dentist can see you promptly and get you comfortable.
Written by Dr. Cristian Dunker, BDSc, MBA.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Cristian Dunker.