The most effective home remedy for tooth pain is a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen, taken together. A review of data from over 58,000 dental patients found that 400 mg of ibuprofen combined with 1,000 mg of acetaminophen outperformed every opioid-containing painkiller tested. Beyond medication, several other strategies can reduce your pain until you’re able to see a dentist.
Why Two Painkillers Work Better Than One
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen block pain through completely different pathways. Ibuprofen reduces inflammation at the site of the problem, while acetaminophen works on pain signaling in the brain. Taking both at once hits the pain from both ends, which is why the American Dental Association recommends the combination for moderate to severe dental pain.
For mild pain, 200 to 400 mg of ibuprofen every four to six hours is often enough on its own. If the pain is moderate to severe, take 400 to 600 mg of ibuprofen plus 500 mg of acetaminophen every six hours for the first 24 hours, then as needed after that. The combination doesn’t appear to increase side effects beyond what either drug causes alone. Avoid taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach, and don’t exceed 1,200 mg of ibuprofen or 3,000 mg of acetaminophen in a 24-hour period.
Aspirin is another option, but never place it directly on your gum tissue. This is a common folk remedy that actually causes chemical burns.
Salt Water Rinse
A warm salt water rinse is one of the simplest and most reliable ways to calm an irritated tooth. Salt draws fluid out of inflamed tissue, which temporarily reduces swelling, and the solution helps dislodge food debris that may be pressing against a sensitive 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 without any real risk of side effects.
Cold Compress for Swelling
If your cheek or jaw is swollen, a cold compress both numbs the area and constricts blood vessels, which slows the inflammation driving your pain. Wrap ice or a cold pack in a thin towel and hold it against the outside of your cheek. The University of Michigan recommends 10 minutes on, then removing it for the rest of the hour. Shorter intervals are fine if the cold feels too intense. Never place ice directly on skin or inside your mouth against a tooth, as extreme cold can worsen nerve pain.
Clove Oil as a Topical Numbing Agent
Clove oil contains a compound called eugenol that acts as a natural anesthetic, numbing the tissue it touches. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why dentists have used eugenol-based preparations for over a century. You can find small bottles of clove oil at most pharmacies and health food stores.
To use it safely, dilute a few drops into a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil. Dip a cotton ball or swab into the mixture and press it gently against the painful area for a minute or two, then rinse your mouth. Don’t swallow the oil. While clove oil is safe for occasional use, frequent or heavy application can irritate gum tissue, and it’s not recommended during pregnancy.
Peppermint Tea Bags
A chilled peppermint tea bag placed against the sore tooth can provide mild, short-term numbing. The menthol in peppermint works similarly to eugenol, temporarily dulling nerve sensitivity in the area. Brew the tea bag, let it cool, then refrigerate it for a few minutes before pressing it against your gum. This is gentler than clove oil and a good option if you find the taste of clove overwhelming.
Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse
A diluted hydrogen peroxide rinse can help if your pain seems related to infection or gum irritation. Mix standard 3% hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water (a 50/50 ratio) so the final concentration is mild enough not to burn tissue. Swish for 30 seconds and spit thoroughly. Do not swallow it. This is best used once or twice a day at most, not as a long-term substitute for dental care.
How to Sleep With Tooth Pain
Tooth pain notoriously gets worse at night, and there’s a straightforward reason. When you lie flat, gravity allows more blood to flow toward your head, increasing pressure inside the inflamed tissue around your tooth. The dental pulp, where the nerve lives, sits inside a rigid chamber of hard tooth structure. Any extra blood flow into that confined space intensifies the throbbing.
Elevating your head 30 to 45 degrees above horizontal counteracts this. Stack an extra pillow or two, or use a wedge pillow. At that angle, your heart has to work slightly harder to pump blood upward, which naturally lowers pressure in your head and jaw. The relief is temporary, but it can be the difference between sleeping and staring at the ceiling. Taking your ibuprofen and acetaminophen dose about 30 minutes before bed helps too, so the medication peaks while you’re trying to fall asleep.
Signs Your Tooth Pain Needs Emergency Care
Home remedies are a bridge to a dental appointment, not a replacement for one. Persistent tooth pain almost always signals a problem that will get worse without professional treatment, whether that’s a deep cavity, a crack, or an infection at the root. Most of these situations are urgent but not emergencies.
However, a tooth infection can become dangerous if it spreads. Go to an emergency room if your tooth pain is accompanied by a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, facial swelling that’s visibly worsening, difficulty swallowing, confusion, or a rapid heart rate. These are signs of a dental abscess that may be spreading to surrounding tissues or the bloodstream, and that requires treatment within hours, not days.