There’s nothing more painful than a toothache (except maybe childbirth!). It can come on without warning and knock you right off your feet. If you’ve ever had one, you know what I mean. While the best thing to do is get to a dentist immediately, I understand that’s not always possible.
So, instead of trying “home remedies” here are some tried and true temporary toothache pain relief solutions that have worked really well for many of my patients through the years. You can find most of them right in your local pharmacy.
5 Ways to Relieve a Toothache
1. Warm Salt Water: Rinse your mouth with warm salt water for soothing relief.
2. Dent’s Toothache Gum: This nifty remedy has been around for decades, (and no, you don’t chew it!) You simply press a piece on the affected tooth and it can relieve your pain.
3. Ambesol: Their motto is “Dentist Strong so the Pain is Gone!” Apply to your gums for temporary relief.
4. Sensodyne Toothpaste: Rub continually on the affected tooth.
5. Advil, Motrin, Aleve, or Tylenol (as long as you aren’t allergic) will help with the pain. (I have discovered that taking 2-3 Advils and 1 Extra-Strength Tylenol together can be very effective in providing pain relief for toothaches.)
Remember, a toothache is a sign of a problem that won’t go away by itself. It can be caused by tooth decay (a cavity), an infection, or even a cracked tooth. Please see a dentist as soon as you can.
Feel Better!
Dr. Michael Sinkin is a general dentist in New York City. He loves being a dentist and is known throughout the city for taking wonderful care of his patients and for his wicked sense of humor. For more about Dr. Sinkin, contact the office here.
52 Responses
question will u get a lot of pain if 2 of your back teeth fall out
Dear Jenn,
Teeth generally don’t just fall out unless there has been a long-standing problem of bone loss due to periodontal disease. In the situation in which someone’s tooth is so loose that the only thing holding it in place is a weak connection to the adjoining gum tissue, then the tooth is actually more out than in. In such a situation, when the tooth finally becomes “liberated”, you will probably experience some pain.
Please seek out a dentist to evaluate your dental situation as soon as possible.
Good Luck,
Dr. Sinkin
I’m at work I have a toothache, what do recommend I do for relief?
Jared,
Most dentists recommend taken Advil or extra strength Tylenol. Then call the dentist for an appointment! Hope you feel better soon.
Dr. Sinkin
I have a question, I am currently 46, and about 2 years ago, I had a baby tooth removed. All was fine until yesterday. There feels like a tooth coming through the gum line, and is really painful.
Is it possible that my adult tooth is coming out now, since the baby tooth is gone, or it it more likely a piece of bone? All I know is that it is very painful full if I’m laying down.
Dear Mike,
Unfortunately, you did not indicate which tooth was removed; so, I am going to assume it was one of your baby molars. It’s possible you’re feeling a fragment of the tooth’s root that was left behind when the tooth came out. A deciduous (baby) molar has thin roots that normally resorb as the permanent tooth makes ready to erupt (generally around the age of 11 or 12). The adult tooth is commonly missing and the resorption and loss of the baby tooth is delayed or entirely interrupted. I suspect that your permanent tooth is missing and your baby tooth’s roots began to dissolve leading to looseness and the need for extraction. It is possible that what feels like bone emerging from your gum is a remnant of the baby tooth. I suggest you visit your dentist to evaluate. You may have a localized infection so make a dental appointment.
Good luck and feel better.
Dr. Sinkin
P.S. without actually examining you I am only able to surmise what your actual problem is.
I want to go to the hospital its almost 3 am tooth pain but everyone has been bashing real pain medication they probably won’t give me any. If I stand up it sort of goes away then sit or even worse lay down it comes throbbing back. took all 4 advil Tablets two at the 7 11 store I went out for them sort of felt better lay down its back worse get up take third stand for a wile relief lay down hurts bad again take the 4th. Thats so bad doing that. Hurts top and bottom why ? I hope the enter e-mail auto fills I am just going to post this, Advil doesnt work when its bad took 4 of them damage my stomach this is horrible.
Dear Jamie,
Clearly you need to see a dentist. Even stronger pain meds will only address the symptoms (pain), but not the cause. Relief upon standing suggests either a very inflamed nerve in a tooth (which hurts more lying down because of increased blood circulation to the area) or possibly a sinus infection that may be the result of an ailing upper back tooth. Lying down increases pressure in the sinus.
I would suggest keeping your head elevated with extra pillows and cold compresses to the problematic side.I know its the holidays, but you need to see someone ASAP.
Happy New Year! And best of luck.
Dr. Sinkin
Hi, I had a root canal done 3 yrs ago. Everythings been going great until 2 nites ago. Now the tooth where I had thr root canal hurts so bad and the tooth behind it is rooten. My new insurance doesnt kick in until 1/1/2020. Ive tried orajel and Tylenol, can’t take motrion. Any suggestions. Im not sure if I cracked the root canal or what but it hurts.
Dear Sandy,
Yours is not an uncommon situation and I am sorry for your insurance predicament, but you need to see a dentist ASAP. Dental (as well as medical) emergencies often rear their heads at the most undesirable, unexpected, and often inconvenient times. That’s why they are called emergencies and they need to be addressed immediately. You may have cracked your tooth and/or developed an abscess (infection.) A fractured tooth is likely especially if the tooth wasn’t properly restored with a protective crown. The rotten tooth behind it may be contributing to your pain if you are wedging food and bacteria between the two causing a gum problem which can be quite painful.
My only suggestion that makes sense is for you to see a dentist and see if there is some palliative care he can offer to tide you over until your insurance kicks in. Explain your situation to your dentist…..January 1 is only a few weeks away and he may be able to offer first aid care that will give you relief and buy you the time until more definitive treatment can be performed.
Good luck and I hope everything works out for you. Wishing you a pain-free holiday.
Dr. Sinkin
Hi my name is Samantha and I have a very sore tooth I don’t have any decay in this one but there is one in the back that is decaying will that radiate To the front it hurts really bad I have tried everything as taking Motrin about eight each time and I’m taking Tylenol extra about 6 each time I’m on methadone for Drug replacement and is only 45 mg I don’t know what else to do I don’t want to get it pulled
Dear Samantha,
I am so sorry about your dental crisis. You are taking far too much Motrin and Tylenol. In fact, you are exceeding the daily maximum dose of each -not good for your liver, kidneys, and stomach. At most, 2-3 Advil and 1 Tylenol taken together every 4-6 hours. Some tips for getting relief are here: https://michaelsinkindds.com/5-ways-to-get-relief-for-a-toothache/. You can also go to the pharmacy and get over-the-counter dental temporary filling material that contains eugenol. Just apply it directly into the cavity. You need to see a dentist ASAP before you develop an infection. And yes, your decayed tooth can be referring pain to another tooth.You need professional care, even if it’s just first aid to stabilize the problem and give you relief. Methadone can make you more resistant to pain meds. Try warm salt water rinsing and moist warm compresses to that side of your face.
Wishing you better times,
Dr. Sinkin
hello, im sarah. im 14 years old and have toothache in my upper left tooth. its the tooth thats right next to the really sharp one. it hurts every single day and my dentist already told me i need a root canal. i cant get an appointment until the end of january/beginning of february. i dont want to deal with the pain any longer and no Ibuprofen or Tylenol works to make the pain go away. what will?
Dear Sarah,
I am so sorry to hear of your suffering. I don’t understand why your dentist can’t see you right away to render some first-aid/pain relief to tide you over until the root canal. As a 14 year old, you are legally a minor and your parents or guardian must consent for your care. My suggestion is to get them involved and see what influence they can exert on the dental office to get you the care you need. If your dentist is not responsive, ask him/her for a referral to a root canal specialist (endodontist) or another dentist.
Good luck and feel better.
Dr. Sinkin.
I’m calling the dr first thing I’ve already been prescribed antibiotics by the Er but what can I do to tell with the pain?!? Nothing is working I’m pregnant so there’s not much I can do medication wise elevation isn’t helping icing doesn’t help I’ve tried absenol or however it’s spelled basically everything you can find on google I’ve tried. I just want to get some sleep ????
Dear Brittney,
So sorry to hear of your suffering. Home remedies can only go so far. I am glad you are going to see a dentist – relief is on its way! Wishing you and your baby-to-be the best.
Dr. Sinkin
I am having really bad tooth problem my back tooth is hurting really bad it hurts so bad that my ear hurts, I have been taking advil gels it is not working, I cannot get in a dentist until January.
Dear Dandra,
I empathise with your situation. I can only offer up a few suggestions that might help, but two weeks is a long time to hold off on needed care. I suspect that it is a lower tooth that is giving you the problem as lower teeth frequently refer pain to the ear. A therapeutic dose of Advil is 600-800mgs. every 6-8hours. Some of my patients feel relief if they take 500mgs of Tylenol at the same time. The two medications taken together offer much more effective pain control. But only try it if you are not allergic or have any side effects from Tylenol. Warm salt water rinsing may offer some relief and oil of cloves applied to your tooth may also help. You may find clove oil at a pharmacy with nutritional herbs and supplements or a health food store. Oil of cloves is also present in many dental temporary filling and cement materials offered in the dental section of your pharmacy. If you can’t find them, ask the pharmacist.
Also, try to avoid temperature extremes (such as really hot or cold drinks, ice cream, etc.). And avoid sweets because they may aggravate the situation. I know this is going to be tough during the holidays, but you’re mouth (and if you’re anything like me, your waistline) will thank you!
If you have a dentist but just can’t there anytime soon, I’d suggest calling them for some guidance.
Good luck,
Dr. Sinkin