The fastest relief you can put directly on a toothache is clove oil, an ice pack on your cheek, or an over-the-counter numbing gel containing benzocaine. But the single most effective approach combines something you put on the tooth with something you swallow: a pain reliever like ibuprofen tackles inflammation from the inside while a topical remedy numbs the surface. Here’s what works, what to skip, and how to get through the night.
Pain Relievers You Swallow
Ibuprofen is the go-to for tooth pain because it reduces both pain and the inflammation that’s often driving it. If ibuprofen alone isn’t cutting it, you can alternate it with acetaminophen or take them together. A combination tablet (125 mg ibuprofen plus 250 mg acetaminophen) is now available over the counter, dosed at two tablets every eight hours, with a maximum of six tablets per day. The two drugs work through different pathways, so pairing them often outperforms either one alone.
Aspirin is another option, but never place a crushed aspirin directly on your gum. This is a persistent home remedy that actually burns the tissue and can make things worse.
Clove Oil
Clove oil is one of the oldest toothache remedies, and it has real science behind it. Its active ingredient, eugenol, works as a local anesthetic at low concentrations by stabilizing nerve membranes and raising the threshold at which nerves fire pain signals. It also blocks the production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals your body releases during inflammation. That gives clove oil a dual effect: it numbs and it reduces swelling.
To use it, put a small drop on a cotton ball or swab and hold it against the painful tooth for 30 to 60 seconds. You’ll feel a warm, tingling sensation that fades into numbness. Don’t pour it freely into your mouth. Eugenol is potent, and too much can irritate soft tissue. The relief is temporary, usually lasting 20 to 30 minutes, but you can reapply as needed.
Numbing Gels and Pastes
Over-the-counter oral pain gels (brands like Orajel and Anbesol) contain benzocaine, a topical anesthetic you apply directly to the gum around the affected tooth. They work within a minute or two and provide short-term relief.
There’s an important safety note here. The FDA has warned that benzocaine can cause a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia, where the blood’s ability to carry oxygen drops dramatically. Because of this risk, benzocaine oral products should never be used on children under 2 years old. For adults and older children, follow the label directions and don’t exceed the recommended number of applications.
Salt Water Rinse
A warm salt water rinse is simple and genuinely helpful. Salt water reduces inflammation and bacteria in the mouth, and if you have a small abscess or food trapped around a painful tooth, swishing can help clean the area. Mix half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water, swish gently for 20 to 30 seconds, and spit. You can repeat this several times a day. It won’t numb anything, but it creates a cleaner environment that can keep pain from escalating.
Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse
A diluted hydrogen peroxide rinse can help with infection-related pain. The key word is diluted: mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide (the brown bottle from the drugstore) with two parts water to bring it down to a roughly 1% solution. Swish for no longer than 60 seconds and spit it all out. Do not swallow it. This isn’t something to use daily or long-term. It’s a short-term measure when you suspect infection and can’t get to a dentist right away.
Cold Compress
An ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth, pressed against the outside of your cheek, constricts blood vessels and reduces swelling. This is especially useful if your face is visibly puffy or if the pain has a throbbing quality. Apply it for 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off. Skipping the break risks skin irritation or tissue damage from prolonged cold exposure. A cold compress pairs well with any of the oral remedies above.
Peppermint Tea Bags
Peppermint contains menthol, which has mild numbing properties. Brew a peppermint tea bag, let it cool, then chill it in the refrigerator. Once cold, press it against the sore area. The combination of menthol and cold temperature provides modest, short-lived relief. This won’t rival clove oil or ibuprofen, but it’s a decent option if those aren’t available and you need something right now.
Why Toothaches Get Worse at Night
If your toothache seems to flare up the moment you lie down, that’s not your imagination. When you’re flat, blood flows more readily toward your head, increasing pressure on inflamed teeth and gums. The throbbing intensifies because there’s literally more blood volume pressing on sensitive tissue.
The fix is straightforward: prop your head up with an extra pillow so you’re sleeping at a slight incline. This reduces blood pooling and can noticeably dial down nighttime pain. Combine the elevated position with a dose of ibuprofen before bed and a cold compress on your cheek for the first 20 minutes, and you have the best shot at sleeping through the night.
Signs That Need Urgent Attention
Everything above is a temporary measure. Most toothaches involve decay, a crack, or infection that won’t resolve on its own. But certain symptoms mean you shouldn’t wait for a regular dental appointment. Difficulty breathing, speaking, or swallowing alongside tooth pain suggests an infection is spreading into your airway. A swollen or painful eye, sudden vision changes, significant mouth swelling, or trouble opening your mouth are all red flags that warrant emergency care, not a home remedy.
Fever combined with facial swelling also points toward a dental abscess that may need drainage and antibiotics. In these cases, the toothache is a symptom of something that can become dangerous quickly.