The fastest way to soothe a toothache at home is to take 400 mg of ibuprofen with 500 mg of acetaminophen at the same time. This combination is what the American Dental Association recommends for dental pain, and it outperforms either drug taken alone. While that kicks in, a few simple remedies can provide additional relief until you can get to a dentist.
The Best Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
Take two 200 mg ibuprofen tablets along with one 500 mg acetaminophen tablet. The ibuprofen reduces inflammation around the tooth, while the acetaminophen works on pain through a different pathway. Together they cover more ground than either pill on its own. You can repeat this combination every six hours as needed.
If you only have one of these on hand, ibuprofen is generally the better choice for tooth pain because so much of that pain comes from swelling and pressure around the nerve. Acetaminophen alone won’t address the inflammation, but it’s a reasonable backup if ibuprofen bothers your stomach.
One thing to avoid: don’t place aspirin directly on your gum tissue. This is an old home remedy that actually causes chemical burns to the soft tissue, making things worse.
Salt Water Rinse
A warm salt water rinse is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do alongside pain medication. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water, swish it gently around the painful area for 30 seconds, then spit it out. The salt draws fluid out of swollen gum tissue, which reduces pressure and eases pain. It also helps clean debris from around a damaged tooth or cavity. If the rinse stings too much, cut back to half a teaspoon of salt. You can repeat this several times a day.
Clove Oil for Targeted Numbing
Clove oil contains a natural anesthetic compound that dentists have used for decades. In a clinical trial of 73 adults, clove oil performed as well as benzocaine (the numbing agent in most oral pain gels) and both worked significantly better than a placebo. Clove oil also has antibacterial properties against several bacteria linked to tooth decay and gum disease.
To use it safely, dilute a few drops of clove essential oil into a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil. Dip a cotton ball or cotton swab into the mixture and hold it against the painful spot for a minute or two, then rinse your mouth. Don’t apply undiluted clove oil directly to your gums. It’s toxic to human cells at full strength and can irritate or damage the gum tissue, tooth pulp, and other soft tissues inside your mouth. Use it sparingly and only as a short-term fix.
Peppermint Tea Bags
A used peppermint tea bag makes a surprisingly effective compress. The menthol in peppermint acts as a mild numbing agent on contact. Steep the tea bag in boiling water for two minutes, let it cool completely (never apply it hot), then hold it against the affected area for about 20 minutes. You can repeat this as needed. Some people prefer to chill the tea bag in the freezer for a few minutes first, since cold itself helps numb the area and constrict blood vessels around the swelling.
Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse
If you suspect an infection, a diluted hydrogen peroxide rinse can help reduce bacteria. Start with the standard 3% hydrogen peroxide you’d find at any drugstore and mix it with equal parts water to bring it down to 1.5%. Swish gently for 30 seconds, then spit it out thoroughly. Do not swallow it. This rinse is particularly useful if you notice a bad taste in your mouth or pus around the gum line, both of which can signal a bacterial infection. Stick to once or twice a day at most, since overuse can irritate oral tissue.
Numbing Gels and Their Limits
Over-the-counter benzocaine gels (like Orajel) can temporarily numb the surface of your gums. They work fast but wear off quickly, usually within 20 to 30 minutes. For adults and children over 2 years old, they’re generally safe for occasional use when applied as directed.
However, the FDA has issued a specific warning that benzocaine oral products should never be used on infants or children under 2. Benzocaine can cause a rare but life-threatening condition called methemoglobinemia, where the blood’s ability to carry oxygen drops dramatically. The FDA pushed manufacturers to stop marketing these products for teething altogether and required new warning labels for products aimed at older children and adults. For young children with mouth pain, talk to a pediatrician instead of reaching for numbing gels.
How to Sleep With a Toothache
Toothaches famously get worse at night, and that’s not your imagination. When you lie flat, blood rushes to your head and increases pressure around the tooth nerve. The simplest fix is to prop yourself up with two or three pillows so your head stays elevated above your heart. This keeps blood from pooling in your head and noticeably reduces the throbbing.
Take your pain medication about 30 minutes before bed so it’s fully active when you’re trying to fall asleep. A cold compress on your cheek (10 minutes on, 10 minutes off) can also help dull the pain enough to drift off. Avoid eating anything very hot, cold, or acidic close to bedtime, since these can trigger a fresh wave of sensitivity.
Cold Compress for Swelling
If your cheek or jaw is visibly swollen, wrap ice or a bag of frozen vegetables in a thin towel and hold it against the outside of your face for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Cold narrows the blood vessels in the area, which slows blood flow, reduces swelling, and numbs the nerve signals carrying pain. Take at least a 10-minute break between applications to avoid damaging the skin. This works well alongside oral pain medication, especially in the first day or two of a flare-up.
Signs You Need Emergency Care
Most toothaches can wait for a regular dental appointment, but a few warning signs mean you should go to an emergency room. If you develop a fever along with facial swelling, that combination suggests an infection may be spreading beyond the tooth. Difficulty breathing or swallowing is an emergency, full stop. These symptoms can indicate that an abscess is pressing on your airway or spreading into deeper tissue. Other red flags include swelling that extends to your eye or neck, a foul taste from draining pus, or pain so severe that nothing provides relief. A dental infection that spreads to the bloodstream or brain can become life-threatening, so err on the side of urgency if you’re experiencing any of these.