How do you stop a bad toothache

A bad toothache needs dental treatment to remove its cause; while waiting, protect the area and use suitable pain relief as directed.

Toothache usually comes from inflamed pulp, decay near the nerve, a cracked tooth, an abscess, exposed dentine, or inflamed tissue around a partly erupted tooth. A clinical examination separates these possibilities.

Rinse gently with warm water, clean around the tooth, avoid very hot or cold foods, chew on the other side, and use an over-the-counter pain medicine only if it suits your health history and its label directions. Arrange an examination if the problem persists or worsens.

Seek urgent dental care for facial swelling, fever, pus, severe worsening pain, injury, difficulty opening the mouth, swallowing, or breathing. Do not wait if swelling affects swallowing or breathing.

Ask whether the pulp is reversible or irreversibly inflamed, whether an abscess is present, and whether the tooth needs a filling, root canal treatment, drainage, or removal. Ask what the examination shows and what alternatives are reasonable.