What can you use to stop a toothache

Toothache can be eased temporarily with gentle cleaning, appropriate pain medicine, and a cold pack, but the cause needs dental treatment.

The best treatment depends on the tissue involved. A dentist may remove decay and place a filling, treat the pulp with root canal treatment, drain infection, adjust the bite, treat the gums, or remove a tooth that cannot be restored.

Rinse gently with warm water, floss carefully to remove trapped food, eat soft foods, and use a cold pack outside the cheek for swelling. Use an over-the-counter pain medicine only when it is suitable for your health history and exactly as directed.

Arrange dental care if pain lasts, returns, affects sleep, or is accompanied by swelling, fever, bad taste, or pain on biting. Breathing or swallowing difficulty requires emergency medical help.

Ask what is causing the pain, whether the pulp or gum is involved, what treatment will remove the cause, and which temporary pain measures suit your medical history.