If you’re asking how can I get rid of a toothache, the fastest safe plan is to calm the pain and inflammation at home, keep the tooth and gums clean, protect the area from further irritation, and book a dentist appointment to treat the cause. Home remedies can give toothache pain relief at home for a few hours (sometimes overnight), but most toothaches return until the underlying problem like decay, a crack, gum infection, or an inflamed nerve is properly treated.
This guide covers quick relief steps, the best home remedies for toothache, what helps a toothache (and what makes it worse), symptom-based tips, red flags that need urgent care, and what our Campbelltown dental team can do to stop the pain at the source.
How can I get rid of a toothache?
Quick Answers: Toothache relief in 5 minutes
Do these now (in order):
- Warm salt water rinse: 30 seconds, spit, repeat 2-3 times
- Floss gently around the sore tooth (food stuck between teeth is a common trigger)
- Cold compress on the cheek: 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off
- Pain relief if safe for you: follow the packet directions and pharmacist/GP advice
- Avoid chewing on that side and avoid very hot/cold/sweet foods
Then: book a dental appointment especially if pain lasts more than 24-48 hours, worsens, or keeps coming back.
Urgent warning: If you have swelling, fever, pus, or trouble swallowing/breathing, seek urgent care today.
When a toothache is urgent (don’t wait)
Tooth pain can be anything from irritation to an infection that needs prompt treatment.
Seek urgent dental or medical help today if you have:
- Facial swelling (cheek/jaw/under the chin) or swelling spreading
- Fever, chills, or you feel unwell
- Pus, a bad taste, or a pimple-like bump on the gum
- Trouble opening your mouth, swallowing, or breathing
- Severe pain that won’t settle or pain that wakes you up
- Recent dental trauma (knocked, loose, fractured tooth)
- Worsening pain 2-3 days after an extraction (possible dry socket)
Why this matters: mouth infections can spread and become serious. If you’re unsure, it’s safer to be checked. Emergency dentist in Campbelltown
Why toothaches happen and why home remedies only help temporarily
A toothache is a symptom. The cause determines the right fix.
Common causes we see:
- Cavities (tooth decay): sensitivity to sweet/cold, pain that gradually worsens
- Inflamed or infected nerve (pulpitis): throbbing, lingering pain, night pain
- Cracked tooth: sharp pain on biting, pain that comes and goes
- Gum inflammation/infection: sore gums, pain near the gumline, bleeding
- Wisdom tooth flare-ups: sore gum flap, swelling at the back of the mouth, bad taste
- Grinding/clenching: dull ache, jaw soreness, morning headaches
- Sinus pressure: can mimic upper tooth pain during congestion
Key takeaway: Home care can reduce symptoms, but it doesn’t remove decay, seal cracks, or treat an infected nerve.
What helps a toothache fast at home
These are practical, low-risk options for toothache pain relief at home.
1) Warm salt water rinse
Salt water helps soothe inflamed gums and clean around the tooth.
How to do it
- Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm (not hot) water
- Swish for 30 seconds, spit
- Repeat 2-3 times
Best for: gum soreness, wisdom tooth irritation, mild swelling, “food trapped” pain.
2) Floss gently
A surprisingly common toothache trigger is food wedged between teeth.
How to do it
- Slide floss down each side of the tooth slowly
- Curve it into a “C” against the tooth surface
- Avoid snapping it into the gum
Best for: pain after eating, soreness between two teeth, irritated gums.
3) Cold compress to the cheek
Cold reduces inflammation and can dull throbbing pain.
How to do it
- Wrap a cold pack in a towel
- Hold to the cheek 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off
- Repeat as needed
Best for: throbbing pain, facial tenderness, mild swelling.
4) Over-the-counter pain relief
If you can safely take them, pain relievers can help you sleep and function until you’re seen.
Important safety notes
- Follow the packet directions
- Check with a pharmacist/GP if you’re pregnant, have stomach ulcers, kidney disease, asthma, take blood thinners, or have medication allergies
- Never place aspirin directly on gums/teeth (it can burn tissue)
Best for: inflammatory pain. Not a cure just short-term relief.
5) Temporary protection for a broken tooth or lost filling
If there’s a sharp edge, hole, or lost filling:
- Use dental wax to cover sharp edges
- Use temporary filling material (pharmacy) as a short-term patch
- Avoid chewing on that tooth
Best for: preventing worsening pain and soft tissue cuts.
6) Clove oil (use cautiously)
Clove oil can temporarily numb pain, but can irritate soft tissues.
If you choose to use it:
- Use a diluted amount
- Apply to the tooth, not the gums
- Stop if it stings/burns
Best for: short bursts of relief when used carefully.
What NOT to do these can make it worse
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Don’t apply aspirin, alcohol, or undiluted essential oils to gums (chemical burns)
- Don’t use heat packs on facial swelling (can worsen infection-related swelling)
- Don’t keep chewing on the sore side (cracks/inflammation worsen)
- Don’t ignore night pain or pain that lingers after cold (often nerve involvement)
- Don’t take leftover antibiotics (wrong medication/dose and doesn’t fix decay/cracks)
Key takeaway: If a remedy causes burning, increased swelling, or worsening pain, stop and seek care.
How can I get rid of a toothache based on the type of pain?
Different symptoms often point to different causes. Use this to guide your next step.
If it hurts when you bite
Possible causes: cracked tooth, high filling, inflamed ligament, abscess.
What to do now
- Avoid chewing on that side
- Soft foods
- Cold compress
- Book a dentist soon (biting pain rarely resolves on its own)
If cold triggers pain and it lingers
Possible causes: deeper decay, irritated nerve.
What to do now
- Avoid cold drinks and icy foods
- Use sensitivity toothpaste (helpful over time, not instant)
- Book promptly (lingering cold pain can progress)
If it throbs or wakes you up at night
Possible causes: inflamed/infected tooth nerve.
What to do now
- Cold compress
- Pain relief if safe
- Arrange an urgent dental visit (these cases often need treatment quickly)
If there’s a bad taste, pus, or a gum “pimple”
Possible cause: infection draining from the tooth.
What to do now
- Salt water rinses
- Keep it clean
- Don’t squeeze it
- Seek urgent care
If the gum at the back is sore (wisdom tooth area)
Possible cause: inflammation under a gum flap (food/bacteria trapped).
What to do now
- Salt water rinses
- Gentle cleaning with a soft brush
- Avoid poking at the gum
A simple at-a-glance table: remedies and what they’re best for
| What you try at home | Best for | Won’t fix |
| Salt water rinse | Gum inflammation, cleaning | Deep decay, nerve infection |
| Gentle flossing | Food stuck, gum irritation | Cracks, abscess |
| Cold compress | Throbbing, facial tenderness | Nerve infection inside tooth |
| Pain relief (if safe) | Comfort + inflammation control | The underlying cause |
| Wax/temporary filling | Broken tooth/lost filling | Decay under the tooth, nerve pain |
Why antibiotics usually don’t stop toothache and when they’re used)
Many toothaches aren’t solved by antibiotics because the problem is often:
- decay inside the tooth
- an inflamed nerve
- a crack
- localised infection that needs dental treatment
Antibiotics may be used when there are signs of infection spreading (for example, swelling, fever, or systemic symptoms), but they’re typically an add-on, not the solution.
Key takeaway: The fix is usually dental treatment (filling, root canal, gum treatment, or extraction) not just medication.
What the dentist can do that home remedies can’t
A toothache appointment is about getting you comfortable and stopping the cause.
What to expect at your visit
1) Assessment
- We’ll ask about triggers (cold, chewing, night pain)
- We’ll examine the tooth and gums
- X-rays are often needed to find hidden decay/infection
2) Pain relief and stabilisation
Depending on the cause, we may place a soothing dressing, adjust a bite, clean an inflamed area, or recommend staged treatment if needed.
3) Definitive treatment
Common causes and fixes:
- Cavity → filling
- Deep decay/nerve infection → root canal treatment (often followed by a crown)
- Crack → crown or other protective restoration
- Gum infection → professional cleaning and gum care
- Unsaveable tooth → extraction and replacement options
Local advice for Campbelltown patients: after-hours toothache plan
If your toothache hits at night or on the weekend in Campbelltown:
- Use the Quick Answers steps at the top to settle symptoms
- If there’s swelling, fever, or severe pain, seek urgent care
- If pain is moderate but persistent, book the earliest available dental appointment
Tip: If a toothache is stopping you from sleeping, it’s worth treating as urgent – night pain often signals nerve involvement.
Special considerations: kids, pregnancy, and medical conditions
Toothache advice needs extra care in these situations.
Kids
- Prioritise gentle cleaning and salt water rinses (only if they can swish safely)
- Cold compress can help
- Avoid experimenting with topical oils
- Book promptly – children’s teeth can change quickly
Pregnancy
- Don’t “wait it out” with ongoing pain
- Many dental treatments are safe when needed
- Ask your pharmacist/GP about the safest pain relief options for you
If you have complex medical history
If you have ulcers, kidney disease, asthma, take blood thinners, or have allergies, check with a pharmacist/GP before using anti-inflammatory medicines.
Prevention: how to reduce the chance of another toothache
Once pain is settled, prevention is the long game.
Habits that help
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Clean between teeth daily (floss/interdental brushes)
- Limit frequent sugary snacks and drinks
- Address grinding/clenching (a night guard can help)
- Keep up with check-ups to catch decay early
How we help at Family Dental Care
At Family Dental Care, we see toothaches every week – and we know they can be stressful, especially when you’re not sure what’s causing the pain. Our approach is straightforward and patient-first: identify the cause, get you comfortable, explain your options clearly, and aim to protect your long-term oral health with the most conservative treatment that makes sense.
FAQs: real toothache questions Australians ask
1) What helps a toothache the fastest at home?
For most people, the fastest safe combination is a warm salt water rinse, gentle flossing, and a cold compress on the cheek. If it’s safe for you, appropriate pain relief can help you rest. These steps provide short-term relief, but the cause still needs dental treatment.
2) How to relieve toothache pain if I can’t see a dentist today?
Stick to soft foods, avoid chewing on the sore side, rinse with warm salt water, and use a cold compress. Avoid aspirin on the gums and avoid heat if there’s swelling. If pain worsens, lasts beyond 24-48 hours, or you feel unwell, seek urgent care.
3) Do home remedies for toothache actually work?
They can help temporarily – especially if the pain is from inflamed gums or food trapped between teeth. But they won’t remove decay, fix a cracked tooth, or treat an inflamed nerve, so symptoms often return without dental care.
4) Why does my toothache feel worse at night?
Pain can feel stronger at night because you’re lying down (pressure changes), you’re less distracted, and inflamed nerves are more noticeable. Throbbing or night pain can be a sign the tooth nerve is involved, which is worth prompt assessment.
5) When should I worry about a toothache?
Seek urgent help if you have facial swelling, fever, pus, difficulty swallowing/breathing, or severe pain that isn’t settling. These can be signs of infection that needs same-day care.