How to Care for a Toothache

Common toothache symptoms include throbbing pain around a certain tooth, sensitivity to hot or cold foods, and discomfort when chewing. Causes can vary from cavities and gum disease to cracked teeth and exposed tooth roots. These first-aid measures will help.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Dental Floss
• Ibuprofen
• Mouthwash
• Ice Packs
• Ice packs

1. Clean your mouth by rinsing it with warm water.

2. Floss gently around the sensitive tooth to dislodge any food particles.

3. Try placing an ice pack on your jaw to soothe the pain.

4. Use over-the-counter painkillers like aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve pain.

5. Call your dentist if you have a fever or if the pain worsens or lasts for more than a day. He or she will ask you questions to determine the urgency of your need for treatment.

Tips & Warnings

• If a cavity is causing your toothache and you cannot see a dentist quickly, use a toothpick to remove food from the cavity. Soak a piece of cotton with oil of cloves and pack it into the cavity, but avoid getting any oil on your tongue.

• Prevent future toothaches with good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss once daily and see your dentist for checkups every six months.

• Never put aspirin or painkillers directly on or around the sore tooth; they can burn your mouth.