Emergency
How do I ease a toothache, and when is it urgent?
Ease it with ibuprofen or paracetamol, a warm salt-water rinse and soft food. See a dentist if it lasts more than two days, ignores painkillers, or brings fever or swelling. Swelling that affects breathing is a hospital emergency.
Settling the pain at home
While you wait to be seen, a few simple things take the edge off. Reach for ibuprofen or paracetamol, following the label — and no aspirin for under-16s. Rinse with warm salty water, stick to soft food, and dodge anything very hot, cold or sweet that sets the tooth off. A cold compress against the cheek can help too.
It's worth being honest with yourself about what this does, though: home care soothes the pain but doesn't fix what's causing it. A toothache is your tooth waving a flag, and the underlying reason — often decay, a crack or an infection — still needs looking at.
When a toothache turns urgent
Book to see a dentist if the ache drags on past a couple of days, shrugs off painkillers, or comes with a fever or facial swelling. Caught early, whatever's behind it is usually far easier to treat and far gentler on the tooth — leaving it tends to make things worse, not better.
One situation is a true emergency, not a dental one: swelling that makes it hard to breathe, swallow or speak, or that's spreading towards your eye. Don't wait for an appointment — go straight to hospital or call emergency services.
Common questions
What's the fastest way to ease a toothache?
Ibuprofen or paracetamol taken as directed, a warm salt-water rinse and soft food usually settle it. That relieves the pain but won't fix the cause, so still get the tooth checked.
When should I worry about a toothache?
See a dentist if pain lasts over two days, resists painkillers, or brings fever or swelling. Swelling that affects breathing or swallowing is a hospital emergency — go straight there.