How to stop tooth pain fast

Key takeaways

• Tooth pain can greatly affect your quality of life, and it may be some time before you can get a dentist appointment. You can often manage pain quickly at home with OTC and natural remedies. If your pain feels like an emergency, seek urgent medical advice.
• Most experts recommend OTC pain relievers like NSAIDs or Tylenol to manage tooth pain, and it’s rare that stronger opioid medications will be needed.
• You can also try home remedies like saltwater rinses and cold compresses to manage pain quickly while you wait for an appointment.

Overview

Toothache can be very uncomfortable, and it has many possible causes, including inflamed gums, tooth decay, and cracked teeth. But it isn’t always easy to get an appointment with a dentist right away, so you may be looking for ways to relieve the pain fast from home, especially if the pain happens at night.

Some over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications may be a good option to relieve pain while you wait for an appointment with a dentist. Let’s take a look at some of the most common options.

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Medications for tooth pain

Tooth pain can strike suddenly and feel overwhelming. Fast, effective relief is possible with the right approach, but remember that most solutions are temporary until you receive definitive dental care.

According to some 2024 guidelines from the American Dental Association (ADA), OTC pain medications are the first-line approach for fast relief from dental pain. These usually include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).

NSAIDs can also be combined with another pain reliever, acetaminophen (Tylenol). These drugs are very common and widely available OTC at pharmacies nationwide.

NSAIDs get to work fairly quickly. For example, ibuprofen usually reaches its peak concentration in your bloodstream within about 30 to 60 minutes, although you might start to notice pain relief sooner than this.

If your tooth pain stems from gingivitis (gum inflammation), doctors might prescribe a mouthwash, such as chlorhexidine gluconate (Periogard). This is a stronger, medicated mouthwash that is only available on prescription.

Can I use opioids for tooth pain?

The ADA recommends against using opioids for tooth pain in most cases. Opioid medications include oxycodone (OxyContin) and codeine. They’re typically very strong pain medications with a high risk of misuse or dependence.

According to their research, about 37% of people presenting to emergency departments with dental pain received an opioid pain reliever. However, their research finds that NSAIDs are typically more effective for pain relief while also having fewer, less severe side effects.

However, if you can’t take NSAIDs or they don’t work for you, you may be prescribed an opioid in some rare cases. This prescription will usually be of the lowest effective strength, and the treatment duration will be very short — usually a maximum of 3 days.

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What is the 3–3–3 rule for toothache?

You may have heard a dentist or other healthcare professional refer to the “3–3–3 rule” for toothache. This isn’t an official guideline, but it can be helpful advice for managing tooth pain at home.

The 3–3–3 rule if you’re taking ibuprofen is:

• Take 3 ibuprofen tablets (600 milligrams in total).
• Take ibuprofen 3 times per day.
• See a dentist within 3 days if the pain doesn’t go away.

Home remedies for tooth pain

Some of the fastest ways to reduce tooth pain involve using what you already have at home. There are some home remedies you can try to reduce pain while you wait for an appointment with a dentist. These can be especially useful if the pain crops up at night and you can’t make an appointment yet. These include:

• Saltwater rinses: Treating a toothache with salt water may help reduce inflammation and heal any oral wounds, such as those from a tooth extraction.
• Cold compresses: When you apply a cold compress to your jaw, it causes the blood vessels in the area to tighten. This makes pain less severe. The cold may also reduce any swelling and inflammation.
• Mouthwashes: Mouthwashes can prevent the buildup of bacteria and get rid of food trapped between teeth, which may reduce pain overall. Look for a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine.
• Garlic: Garlic may have antibacterial properties, so it may reduce bacteria in your mouth. Some sources consider it to be effective for toothaches.

Online care for dental pain

If you’re experiencing tooth pain, it’s likely that you’ll need to wait at least a few days, if not several weeks, for an appointment with a dentist. The quickest ways to soothe pain involve using OTC and home remedies, but you may be able to seek evaluation from an online doctor as well.

Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.

It’s important to note that most causes of tooth pain will require evaluation by a dentist to prevent complications, which will mean an in-person visit. But online doctors may help in the meantime.

Signs to seek immediate care

Sometimes, tooth pain may signal an infection, which will need urgent treatment. Seek an urgent appointment if your tooth pain comes along with pus, a bad taste, or fever. These cases might need antibiotic treatment.

In some cases, the pain may signal a medical emergency. Go to your nearest ER or dial 911 if you have:

• rapidly spreading facial swelling
• swelling around your eye or under your jaw
• a high fever (higher than 101°F)
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• inability to open your mouth (trismus)
• severe pain unresponsive to NSAIDs

Summary

Tooth pain can be very uncomfortable, but while you wait for a dentist appointment, you can manage pain at home with OTC medications and home remedies.

NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen, sometimes combined with acetaminophen, are the first-line treatments for tooth pain. In very rare cases, opioid pain relievers may be used.

You can also use home remedies like saltwater rinses and cold compresses to relieve pain. However, most forms of tooth pain will warrant a visit to your dentist to reduce the risk of complications.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.