Tooth pain can make it hard to eat, talk and sleep. The pain may be sharp, throbbing or a dull ache, and it often gets worse at night. Home care can ease it for a while, but the pain is a sign of a problem that usually needs a dentist. No home remedy can “kill” a tooth nerve or fix the cause permanently.

Common causes of tooth pain

• Tooth decay (cavities): The most common cause. Decay reaches the inner layers of the tooth and irritates the nerve.
• Gum disease: Swollen, infected gums can cause pain around one or more teeth.
• Cracked or broken tooth: Pain often appears when you bite down or eat something hot or cold.
• Tooth abscess: A pocket of infection near the root, causing severe, throbbing pain, often with swelling.
• Sensitive teeth: Worn enamel or receding gums make teeth react to hot, cold or sweet foods.
• Wisdom teeth: Teeth that are partly erupted or impacted can cause pain at the back of the jaw.

Safe ways to ease tooth pain at home

These steps give temporary relief only.

1. Rinse with warm salt water. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, swish gently and spit. This cleans the area and can calm irritated gums.
2. Use a cold compress. Hold a cloth-wrapped ice pack on the cheek for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. It reduces swelling and numbs the pain.
3. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help if they are safe for you. Follow the label, and check with a doctor or pharmacist first if you have stomach, kidney or liver problems, are pregnant, or are giving medicine to a child.
4. Clean between your teeth. Gently floss around the sore tooth, because trapped food can cause pain.
5. Keep your head raised when lying down. This can reduce the throbbing that often gets worse at night.
6. Avoid triggers. Stay away from very hot, cold, sugary or hard foods until you’ve been seen.

A few things to avoid: don’t put aspirin directly on the gum, because it can burn the tissue. Don’t try to drill, pick or “remove” a tooth nerve yourself. And don’t ignore pain just because it eased, since an infection can still be growing.

When to see a dentist

Book a visit if the pain lasts more than a day or two, wakes you at night, or comes back after easing. Get help the same day if you have any of these signs:

• Swelling in the face, cheek or jaw
• Fever with tooth pain
• Pus, a bad taste in the mouth, or a pimple-like bump on the gum
• Pain after an injury or a broken tooth

Go to an emergency room immediately if swelling makes it hard to swallow or breathe.

How to prevent tooth pain

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean between your teeth daily.
• Cut down on sugary snacks and drinks.
• Visit a dentist for a check-up every six months.

This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for professional dental advice. If you have ongoing or severe pain, please see a dentist.