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Toothache before your appointment

These steps often calm a toothache enough to get through the night. They buy time; the tooth still needs to be seen.

What to do

  1. Rinse with warm water. Warm salt water (about half a teaspoon in a cup) is fine too.
  2. Floss gently around the tooth. Something stuck between teeth is a common cause.
  3. Cold pack on the cheek. About 20 minutes at a time. Never use heat on a swollen face.
  4. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as the label directs. For adults and teens 12 and up, the ADA puts ibuprofen or naproxen first, alone or with acetaminophen. Ask a pharmacist if you take other medicines, are pregnant, or have stomach, kidney or bleeding problems.
  5. Sleep with your head raised. An extra pillow may ease the pressure.
  6. Numbing gel, short term only. Use as the label directs. Never on children under 2.

What not to do

  • Don’t put aspirin on the tooth or gum. It burns the tissue.
  • Don’t take more pain reliever than the label allows.
  • Don’t take leftover antibiotics.
  • Don’t wait it out for weeks. Relief isn’t a cure.