Home remedies to get rid of tooth pain

Tooth pain usually comes from irritated dentine, inflamed pulp inside the tooth, inflamed tissues around the root, or gum tissue. The treatment depends on whether the cause is decay, a fracture, trapped food, gum inflammation, or infection beyond the tooth.

Brush gently with fluoride toothpaste, floss carefully around the painful tooth, and avoid very hot, cold, sweet, or hard foods if they trigger pain. Do not place aspirin, concentrated oils, or caustic substances on the gum, and do not use leftover antibiotics; a dentist may need an examination, X-ray, filling, crown, root canal treatment, drainage, or extraction.

Seek prompt dental care when pain persists, returns, wakes you, or is accompanied by swelling, fever, a bad taste, pain on biting, or difficulty opening the mouth. Facial or neck swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent medical attention.

Ask which structure is causing the pain, whether an X-ray is needed, and whether the tooth can be restored. Ask what treatment will remove the cause, what to do until the appointment, and which warning signs require urgent review.