How to Treat a Toothache at Home

Toothaches are never pleasant, especially if they get in the way of enjoying your favourite meal or snack.

While we wait for the situation in the UK to improve and dental clinics (including ours) to reopen, we would like to offer some tips and recommendations from our dental experts on how you can assess a toothache at home. 

Please note that these are only temporary solutions and, once it is possible, do book an appointment with your dentist for a proper dental check-up. 

Avoid Hot, Cold, Sugary and Acidic Foods and Drinks

Foods and drinks that are too cold or too hot, like coffee and ice cream, can cause sharp and unpleasant teeth pain, especially if you have sensitive teeth. Similarly, sweet and fizzy drinks are known to cause dental pain as well, due to their sugary and acidic nature. If you are experiencing a toothache, make sure to avoid such foods and drinks.

Take a Painkiller or Apply Anaesthetic Gel

If the tooth pain is getting too severe and it is starting to affect your everyday routine, take an over-the-counter painkiller to ease the pain. Ibuprofen and paracetamol should help. 

Alternatively, you can also apply anaesthetic gel to the surrounding area of the painful tooth to relieve you from pain. We recommend Orajel or similar gels that you can find at your local pharmacies. 

Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene

Make sure to maintain proper oral hygiene until you can safely see a dentist again. Gently brush and floss your teeth, in order to lower the risk of prompting additional dental problems. 

Other Helpful Ways to Help Reduce A Toothache

Apply a bit of toothpaste to the painful tooth or area and gently rub it in. This should sooth the swelling and reduce the pain. 

You can also gently massage the gum surrounding the painful tooth as this can also help ease the unpleasant pain. 

One other method our dental experts recommend which may help, is to apply a bit of clove oil over the painful area or tooth using a piece of cotton wool. 

When going to bed or laying down, make sure to keep your head elevated as this will reduce the blood pressure in the tooth and can help ease tooth pain. 

Apply a cold compress such as a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel onto the outside of your cheek at the troubling area. The cold should reduce the swelling and pain but, whatever you do, do not add a cold compress directly onto the tooth as this can actually increase pain and damage important tissues.  

If you have any further questions, please remember that our team are available Monday to Friday by phone or email to help answer your dental questions.