Tooth pain can appear without warning and disrupt your day. Whether it’s a dull, throbbing ache or a sharp sting when you bite down, it can be hard to think about anything else. If you’re dealing with a painful tooth right now, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of tooth pain fast. The good news? There are plenty of ways to soothe that sore tooth—some offering temporary relief until you can get professional help, and others that may help address the root cause.

In this guide, we’ll walk through home remedies, quick-relief tricks, and when to see a dentist. Let’s get you out of pain and back to smiling.

Why Does Tooth Pain Happen?

Before diving into solutions, it helps to understand what’s causing the discomfort. Tooth pain, or a toothache, is commonly caused by:

• Tooth decay or cavities
• Cracked teeth or damaged fillings
• Gum disease
• Sensitive teeth
• Wisdom teeth eruption
• Sinus infection affecting the upper teeth
• Plaque buildup leading to irritation
• Infection, sometimes with swelling or foul-tasting discharge

Once you know what’s causing pain, you can better choose the best relief method.

Quick At-Home Remedies for Tooth Pain

These solutions are great for providing temporary relief while you wait to see a dental professional.

Try a Cold Compress or Ice Pack

A cold compress can help reduce swelling and numb the area to ease pain. Wrap an ice pack in a clean cloth and apply it to the outside of your cheek near the painful tooth for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat every few hours.

Saltwater Rinse: Simple Yet Effective

A warm saltwater rinse helps clean the mouth and can reduce swelling. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, swish it around gently, and spit it out. This rinse has antibacterial properties and is ideal for soothing sore gums or a painful area.

Use Clove Oil for Its Numbing Effects

Clove oil contains eugenol, which has antiseptic and pain-relieving properties. Dip a cotton ball or cotton swab into a few drops of clove oil and gently apply it to the affected tooth and gums. It may sting at first, but the pain usually fades within minutes.

Peppermint Tea Bags for Gentle Relief

Peppermint tea bags can help soothe a sore tooth due to their mild numbing and anti-inflammatory properties. After steeping the tea bag, let it cool slightly and place it on the affected area. Some prefer chilling it in the fridge first.

Natural Remedies You Can Try at Home

Nature offers powerful ingredients that may help relieve pain quickly.

Garlic Clove: More Than a Kitchen Staple

Garlic has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Crush a garlic clove to form a paste and apply it to the sore tooth. Alternatively, chew a piece of garlic slowly on the side of the painful tooth.

Thyme Essential Oil: Small Drops, Big Impact

Thyme essential oil has strong antibacterial and antioxidant qualities. Dilute a few drops in water and apply them with a cotton ball, or add them to warm water for a rinse.

Vanilla Extract: Not Just for Baking

Vanilla extract contains alcohol, which can help numb the painful area. Dab a few drops onto the sore tooth using a cotton swab.

Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse (With Caution)

A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution diluted with equal parts water can help fight infection and reduce pain. Swish it around your mouth, but do not swallow. This method can help reduce plaque and heal bleeding gums, but it’s not for long-term use.

Over-the-Counter Pain Relief Options

Sometimes natural remedies need a little help. Pain relievers are effective in reducing both inflammation and discomfort.

Use Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen

Non-prescription pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can reduce inflammation and offer quick relief. Always follow dosage instructions and avoid aspirin if you have bleeding gums, as it can make it worse.

Apply Pain-Relieving Gels

Over-the-counter pain-relieving gels or ointments like those containing benzocaine can be applied directly to the painful tooth or gums for numbing effects. Be sure not to overuse these gels and avoid them in children under 2 years old.

Habits That Help While Healing

Until you get proper dental care, try these habits to avoid making the pain worse.

Eat Soft Foods and Avoid the Painful Side

Stick with soft foods like mashed potatoes, smoothies, or scrambled eggs. Avoid hot, cold, sweet, or hard foods that can irritate a sensitive tooth.

Use a Soft Toothbrush

Brush with a soft toothbrush, especially around the painful area. Be gentle and avoid brushing too hard, which can aggravate already sore gums or enamel.

Elevate Your Head When Sleeping

Lying flat can increase blood flow to your head, worsening tooth pain. Use an extra pillow to keep your head elevated to reduce throbbing discomfort at night.

When to See a Dentist

While these remedies can provide temporary relief, they’re not long-term fixes. It’s essential to see a dentist if:

• You have constant pain lasting more than 1–2 days
• The pain is severe and interferes with eating or sleeping
• There’s swelling, fever, or trouble breathing
• You notice foul-tasting discharge, which could mean an infection
• You suspect a cracked tooth or abscess
• The pain keeps returning after short periods of relief

Ignoring these signs can make things worse and lead to serious dental problems, including infections that spread to other parts of the body.

Treating the Underlying Cause

Depending on what your dentist finds, treatments for toothache pain may include:

• Fillings for cavities
• Root canal therapy for an infected tooth pulp
• Tooth extractions, especially for wisdom teeth or severely damaged teeth
• Deep cleaning for gum disease
• Crowns for cracked teeth
• Antibiotics, if there’s an infection

Your dentist will guide you toward the most appropriate treatment to solve the issue at its source.

Final Thoughts: How to Get Rid of a Tooth Pain Fast

Tooth pain can be frustrating, but it doesn’t always mean a trip to the emergency room. Home remedies like saltwater rinses, cold packs, clove oil, and OTC pain relievers can help reduce pain and provide toothache relief until you can visit a dental professional.

Still, it’s crucial to remember that these are temporary solutions. If the discomfort lingers, worsens, or spreads, don’t delay—see a dentist as soon as possible. Early treatment can prevent complications and help you keep your oral health on track.

Taking care of your mouth, staying alert to changes, and practicing good hygiene can go a long way toward avoiding future dental issues—and that’s something to smile about.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/home-remedies-for-toothache

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cavities/four-homemade-toothache-remedies

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/toothache/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-toothache/basics/art-20056628

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326133

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/toothache-and-swelling