Tooth pain can make eating, sleeping and concentrating difficult. The pain might feel sharp, dull, throbbing or sensitive to pressure and temperature.
Home care may reduce discomfort for a short time, but tooth pain often points to a problem requiring dental treatment. Tooth decay, infection, gum problems, cracked teeth and damaged fillings are common causes.
This guide will show you how to manage tooth pain until you can see a dentist.
What Causes Sudden Tooth Pain?
Knowing what is causing your toothache can help you figure out the right treatment. Here are some common causes:
Tooth Decay
Decay harms the hard outside of your tooth. If it gets closer to the nerve, you may feel sensitivity, pain when chewing, or a constant toothache.
A Cracked or Broken Tooth
A crack might expose the sensitive inner part of your tooth. Pain often occurs when biting, releasing your bite or drinking something hot or cold.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is an infection near the tooth or gum. You may feel throbbing pain, facial swelling, fever, a bad taste or pain when chewing. An abscess requires professional dental treatment and will not clear on its own.
Gum Disease
If your gums are inflamed or infected, you might notice soreness, bleeding, swelling, and pain around your teeth.
A Lost Filling or Crown
When a filling or crown breaks or falls out, the exposed tooth may become sensitive to air, food, pressure and temperature.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth may cause pain when they are erupting, impacted or surrounded by inflamed gum tissue.
Teeth Grinding
Clenching or grinding your teeth may lead to tooth sensitivity, jaw soreness, headaches and pain when biting.
How to Stop Tooth Pain Fast at Home?
The following steps may provide temporary relief until you see a dentist.
1. Rinse Your Mouth With Warm Salt Water
Rinsing with warm salt water can help clean your mouth and soothe mild irritation.
Mix a small amount of salt into a glass of warm water. Gently rinse your mouth, then spit the water out. Do not swallow the mixture.
Avoid using water that is hot, as heat might worsen sensitivity.
2. Use a Cold Compress
Hold an ice pack or cold compress on the outside of your cheek near the sore tooth.
Wrap the cold pack in a clean cloth before using it. Only use it for short periods, and never put ice directly on your skin.
A cold compress may reduce swelling and temporarily numb the area.
3. Take Suitable Pain-Relief Medicine
Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help manage dental pain for some people. Always follow the instructions on the medicine package.
Speak with a pharmacist or dentist before taking pain-relief medicine if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have allergies
- Take other medicines
- Have kidney, liver, stomach or heart conditions.
- Are unsure whether the medicine is suitable
Do not take more than the recommended dose or mix medicines unless a professional has recommended it.
4. Keep Your Head Raised
Tooth pain can feel worse when you lie flat because pressure around the sore area may increase.
Try using an extra pillow to keep your head raised while you rest or sleep. This can help reduce throbbing at night.
5. Avoid Foods That Trigger Pain
Try to avoid:
- Hot drinks
- Ice-cold foods
- Sugary snacks
- Acidic drinks
- Hard or crunchy foods
- Sticky foods
Choose soft foods and chew on the other side of your mouth until your appointment.
6. Clean the Area Gently
Food stuck between your teeth can put pressure on a sore spot.
Brush gently with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. If you think food is stuck, floss gently around the sore tooth.
Do not push floss deep into swollen or sore gums.
7. Protect a Damaged Tooth
A broken tooth, lost filling or missing crown may leave a rough edge or sensitive surface exposed.
Try not to chew on the sore side. Keep the area clean and make a dental appointment. The dentist will check if you need a filling, crown, root canal, or another treatment.
What Should You Avoid When You Have Tooth Pain?
Some home remedies might damage your teeth or gums.
Avoid:
- Placing aspirin directly against the tooth or gum
- Applying strong chemicals or alcohol to the painful area
- Using sharp objects to remove trapped food
- Putting heat against facial swelling
- Taking leftover antibiotics
- Delaying care because the pain has temporarily stopped
Pain relief does not treat decay, infection or a damaged tooth. The pain may return once the temporary effect wears off.
Antibiotics are not routinely used for every toothache. A dentist or doctor will decide whether an infection requires them.
When Does Tooth Pain Need Urgent Dental Care?
Contact a dentist promptly if you have:
- Severe or increasing pain
- Pain lasting longer than two days.
- Pain when biting
- Facial or jaw swelling
- A fever
- A bad taste or discharge in your mouth
- A broken or knocked-out tooth
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Pain that does not improve with suitable medicine
Healthdirect advises seeking dental care when a toothache lasts more than two days or does not improve after taking pain-relief medicine.
How Does a Dentist Treat Tooth Pain?
A dentist will examine your mouth and ask questions about the location, severity and duration of the pain. Dental X-rays may be required to find decay, infection, bone changes or damage below the gumline.
Treatment depends on the cause and might include:
Dental Filling
A filling repairs a tooth affected by decay or minor damage.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside the tooth. The tooth is then cleaned and sealed.
Dental Crown
A crown may protect a tooth weakened by a large filling, crack or extensive damage.
Gum Treatment
Professional cleaning or other gum treatment may be needed when inflammation or gum disease causes pain.
Tooth Extraction
If a tooth is badly damaged or cannot be fixed, it may need to be removed. Your dentist will talk with you about your options before doing anything.
How to Reduce the Risk of Future Tooth Pain
You can reduce your risk of decay, gum problems, and dental infections by:
- Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Cleaning between your teeth each day
- Limiting frequent sugary foods and drinks
- Drinking fluoridated tap water
- Wearing a mouthguard during contact sport
- Avoiding chewing ice and other hard objects
- Booking regular dental examinations
- Seeking care when sensitivity or minor pain first appears
Early assessment often gives your dentist more treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tooth Pain
Will tooth pain go away on its own?
Some sensitivity may settle, but an ongoing toothache should not be ignored. Decay, cracks and infections usually require dental care.
Does salt water cure a tooth infection?
Saltwater rinses may help clean the mouth and provide temporary relief. They do not remove an infection inside a tooth or replace dental treatment.
Should I use heat or ice for tooth pain?
A cold compress is usually the safer option for swelling or facial pain. Avoid placing heat against swollen areas.
Why does my tooth hurt more at night?
Lying flat can increase pressure around the painful area. Fewer distractions at night may also make the pain feel more noticeable.
Can a dentist treat tooth pain during an emergency appointment?
A dentist may examine the tooth, take X-rays, provide pain management and begin suitable treatment. The exact care depends on the cause and condition of the tooth.
Tooth Pain in Sydney? Arrange an Urgent Dental Appointment
Home remedies may help you manage tooth pain for a short period, but treating the cause is the safest way to prevent the problem from becoming worse.
Macquarie Dental provides emergency dental appointments in Sydney CBD, with same-day bookings available where appointment times permit. The team assesses toothache, dental infections, broken teeth, lost restorations and other urgent dental concerns.
When you need a dentist Sydney residents and city workers can reach easily, contact Macquarie Dental on (02) 9223 9000 or book an appointment online. Our clinic is located at Level 6, Suite 1–2, 229–231 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
