A toothache usually means something needs treatment — decay, a cracked tooth, an infection or a gum problem. Home measures can ease the pain for a short while, but they don't fix the cause.
What can help for now
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Gently floss to remove any trapped food
- A cold pack on the cheek for swelling
- Over-the-counter painkillers taken as directed on the pack
- Clove oil dabbed on the tooth can numb it briefly
What to avoid
- Putting a painkiller tablet on the gum — it can burn the tissue
- Heat packs on a swollen face
- Taking leftover antibiotics without advice
- Waiting for the pain to go away on its own
Pain that goes away suddenly doesn't always mean the problem has healed — sometimes the nerve has died and infection can continue silently.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. Please visit a dentist for advice about your own teeth.