How to stop your tooth from aching
Toothache can be eased briefly by gentle cleaning and suitable pain relief, but decay, a crack, or infection requires dental diagnosis.
The short answer
To ease an aching tooth temporarily, remove trapped food gently, avoid very hot or cold triggers, and use a suitable pain reliever as directed; dental treatment is needed to remove the cause.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Toothache begins when irritation affects dentine or the pulp, the living tissue containing nerves and blood vessels. Common sources include decay, a cracked tooth, a loose filling, exposed root surfaces, or infection around the root.
What can you do next?
Rinse gently, brush carefully, choose soft foods, and follow the label or clinician instructions for pain medicine. Never put aspirin against the tooth or gum, and do not use leftover antibiotics because they do not repair decay or a crack.
When should you seek dental care?
Seek prompt care for pain that persists, wakes you, hurts on biting, or comes with swelling, fever, pus, or a bad taste. Facial swelling or difficulty breathing or swallowing is an emergency.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask which structure is causing the pain and whether a cold test, bite test, percussion, or X-ray was performed. Ask whether the tooth needs a filling, crown, root canal treatment, extraction, or gum care.
Frequently asked questions
Why does toothache hurt more at night?
Lying down and reduced distraction can make pulsating dental pain feel more intense; the underlying cause still requires assessment.
Can salt water cure toothache?
A gentle rinse may help clear irritants, but it cannot remove decay, repair a crack, or drain a dental abscess.