How To Stop a Toothache

6 October 2026

How to Stop a Toothache

A toothache can be extremely disruptive. Be it a persistent ache or a sudden jolt, it becomes difficult to concentrate on anything until the pain subsides. There are things you can do at home to help cope, but usually these are temporary fixes. A toothache is often an indication that something isn’t right and needs treatment.

At Pearl Dental Clinic, we offer emergency dental appointments 7 days a week until 10pm. An emergency consultation is £59, and we’ll help find out what’s causing your pain and how to fix it.

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What Causes Toothache?

Toothache can have a few different causes, including:

Tooth decay or a cavity
A dental abscess or infection
A cracked or broken tooth
A lost or damaged filling
Gum disease
An erupting or impacted wisdom tooth
Grinding or clenching your teeth

Because the causes are so varied, the only way to know for sure what’s behind your pain is to have it looked at.

cold press for impacted wisdom tooth pain

Temporary Ways to Ease Toothache at Home

While you wait for your appointment, here are some things that can help take the edge off:

Take Painkillers

Over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can alleviate the symptoms. Do not forget to follow the directions and do not put painkillers onto the gum as this can cause the tissue to burn.

Rinse With Warm Salt Water

Warm salt water rinse can decrease inflammation and clean the gum. Take half a teaspoon of salt and dissolve it in warm water. Swish this solution in your mouth and spit it out.

Use a Cold Compress

A cold compress or an ice pack, wrapped in a piece of cloth, can be held for about 15 minutes on the cheek and help to decrease inflammation.

Keep Your Head Elevated

Laying flat in bed can increase the blood flow to your head and intensify throbbing. Lying with additional pillows can help you to sleep better.

Avoid Trigger Foods

Try avoiding very hot, cold, sweet, or hard foods, as these can aggravate the pain. Chew on the opposite side of your mouth where possible.

Keep the Area Clean

Keep brushing gently and cleaning between your teeth. If trapped food is contributing to the pain, careful flossing can bring some relief.

The Risks of Leaving Toothache Untreated

It can be tempting to delay seeing a dentist, especially if the pain eases for a while. But ignoring toothache can lead to bigger problems:

The problem gets worse. A small cavity that could have been fixed with a simple filling turns into something more complicated and requires additional procedures, such as a root canal procedure or even tooth extraction.
Infection spread. Neglected infection may turn into an abscess that affects not only the surrounding tissue and the jaw, but also other parts of the body.
Tooth loss. Delayed treatment results in a higher risk of losing the tooth.
Treatment becomes more involved. Dealing with things early usually means simpler, quicker, and less expensive treatment.

If the toothache suddenly stops, do not assume that the issue has disappeared. In some cases, such symptom indicates that the nerve in the tooth has died out, but the infection remains active.

When Should I See a Dentist Urgently?

You should book an appointment as soon as you can if your toothache lasts more than a day or two. Seek urgent help if you have:

Severe pain that painkillers can’t control
Swelling in your face, cheek, or jaw
A high temperature or feeling generally unwell
Pain when biting down
Difficulty swallowing or breathing (in this case, seek emergency help immediately)

Book Your Emergency Consultation at Pearl Dental Clinic

Home remedies can help you cope for a little while, but the only way to truly stop a toothache is to treat what’s causing it. At Pearl Dental Clinic, we offer emergency appointments 7 days a week, 9am to 10pm, with an emergency consultation costing £59.

We invite you to explore our patient reviews online and see why patients have trusted Pearl Dental Clinic with their care since 2007.

To get started, call us on 0208 547 9997, send us a WhatsApp message, or book your appointment online at a time that suits you. The sooner you’re seen, the sooner we can help.

Call us today on 020 8547 9997

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