Stop a toothache immediately

A toothache can often be eased briefly with cold compresses and label-directed pain medicine, but lasting relief requires treating the dental cause.

Tooth pain is a signal from inflamed pulp, exposed dentin, a damaged periodontal ligament, or infected gum tissues. Pain medicine changes the perception of pain but does not remove bacteria, seal a fracture, or decompress an abscess.

Tooth pain is a signal from inflamed pulp, exposed dentin, a damaged periodontal ligament, or infected gum tissues. Pain medicine changes the perception of pain but does not remove bacteria, seal a fracture, or decompress an abscess.

Rinse gently with warm water, remove trapped food with floss, use a cold compress outside the cheek, and follow the label for any medicine you can take. Do not put aspirin or caustic substances on the gum, and do not ignore pain that returns.

Rinse gently with warm water, remove trapped food with floss, use a cold compress outside the cheek, and follow the label for any medicine you can take. Do not put aspirin or caustic substances on the gum, and do not ignore pain that returns.

Arrange prompt dental care for pain lasting beyond a brief episode, pain on biting, spontaneous throbbing, swelling, fever, or a broken tooth. Emergency evaluation is required when swelling affects breathing or swallowing.

Arrange prompt dental care for pain lasting beyond a brief episode, pain on biting, spontaneous throbbing, swelling, fever, or a broken tooth. Emergency evaluation is required when swelling affects breathing or swallowing.

Ask what structure is causing the pain, whether an x-ray or pulp test is needed, which treatment will remove the cause, and what to do if swelling or fever develops.

Ask what structure is causing the pain, whether an x-ray or pulp test is needed, which treatment will remove the cause, and what to do if swelling or fever develops.

Ask how the findings change the treatment choices and what follow-up symptoms should prompt a return visit.