How to get rid of tooth pain

What helps tooth pain at home

Cleveland Clinic lists a small number of home measures that can reduce pain and tenderness while you wait to see a dentist. They are temporary relief, not treatment. Home remedies offer only mild relief, and pain that persists needs dental treatment.

• Salt water rinse: mix half a teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water, swish for 30 seconds, then spit it out.
• Diluted hydrogen peroxide rinse: dilute it with equal parts water, swish and spit. Never use undiluted peroxide, and do not swallow it.
• Cold pack: hold a wrapped ice pack against the outside of the jaw for about 20 minutes, several times a day.
• Over-the-counter pain relief: acetaminophen and ibuprofen can reduce pain and tenderness. Follow the label and ask a pharmacist if you take other medicines or are not sure the dose is right for a child.

What commonly causes tooth pain

Cleveland Clinic lists the usual dental causes: cavities, an abscessed tooth, a cracked tooth, a damaged filling or crown, teeth grinding or clenching, and gum disease. Each of these needs a dentist to diagnose and treat, which is why home care only buys time.

The pain can also come from outside the tooth. Healthline explains that the roots of the upper teeth sit close to the sinuses, so inflammation and pressure from sinusitis can make teeth hurt. That is a different problem with a different fix, covered in the next section.

Can a sinus problem cause tooth pain?

Yes. Healthline says sinus pain usually occurs in the upper rear teeth closest to the sinuses, and can sometimes spread to the lower teeth. It tends to affect several upper molars rather than one tooth, and often comes with congestion, facial pressure, thick mucus, or fever and tiredness. It may feel worse when you bend over or jump, and ease when you sit or lie down.

Dental pain, by contrast, often comes from a single tooth, is more intense and focused, and is typically the only source of pain. If you cannot tell which you have, a dentist can check for gum infection, cavities, abscesses or grinding, and a doctor can assess the sinuses.

• For sinus-related tooth pain, Healthline suggests fluids, steam and saline rinses made with distilled or boiled water, and limiting decongestant nasal sprays to no more than three days in a row.
• Sinus infections typically last under four weeks, and symptoms usually improve within a week or two of treatment.
• See a dentist if the toothache lasts, persists after the sinus infection clears, or is severe; see a doctor if no dental cause is found or the sinus symptoms do not improve.

When home care is not enough

Cleveland Clinic advises calling a dentist right away for a toothache lasting more than two days, swelling in the face or jaw, or pain when opening your mouth wide. It describes unbearable tooth pain with fever and chills as a dental emergency. Its emergency signs also include swelling below the eye or a knot on the jaw, pain that medication does not relieve, bleeding that will not stop with pressure, and a fever above 101°F (38.3°C).

A tooth abscess is an infection that can spread, which is why swelling and fever matter. Cleveland Clinic's cavity page lists facial swelling and swollen neck lymph nodes among the signs of an abscessed tooth.

What a dentist will do

A dentist will ask about the pain, examine the tooth and gums, and usually take an X-ray. Treatment depends on the cause: a filling for a cavity, a root canal for infected pulp, repair or replacement of a damaged filling or crown, a night guard for grinding, or gum treatment. Early attention is almost always simpler than waiting.

If you are worried about cost, describe your symptoms when you call and ask whether the office can see you for an emergency exam.

Habits that can make tooth pain worse

Cleveland Clinic advises limiting sugary foods and drinks to reduce your risk of toothaches, and it warns not to rinse with pure hydrogen peroxide. Chewing on the painful side, very hot or cold drinks and hard foods can aggravate an already sensitive tooth, so choose softer foods until you are seen.

Frequently asked questions