Toothache tends to start at the worst possible moment and can make everyday life difficult. Some home measures can ease the pain temporarily, but they do not treat the cause. Lasting relief comes from a dentist identifying and treating the source of the pain.
Here you will find the common causes of toothache, what you can safely do until you see a dentist, and the signs that mean you should not wait.
What Causes Toothache?
- Tooth decay: once decay reaches the dentine, sweet, hot and cold foods trigger pain.
- Pulpitis: when decay approaches the nerve, pain can start on its own, throb and get worse at night.
- Dental abscess: infection at the root tip or in the gum causes swelling, pain on biting and sometimes fever.
- Cracked or broken tooth: sharp pain when biting and releasing is typical.
- Gum problems: inflammation and recession can cause sensitivity and aching.
- Impacted wisdom teeth: swelling at the back of the mouth, difficulty opening and pain radiating to the ear.
- Clenching: a general aching of the jaw and teeth, often in the morning.
What You Can Do Until You See a Dentist
- Rinse with warm salt water. Half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water gently cleans the area.
- Floss to remove trapped food. A piece of food stuck between the teeth can cause considerable pain and pressure.
- Use a cold compress. For swelling, apply ice wrapped in a cloth to the outside of the cheek for 15–20 minutes at a time.
- Keep your head raised. Sleeping with your head slightly elevated can reduce throbbing.
- If you take a painkiller, follow the leaflet. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you have a stomach condition, take blood thinners or are pregnant.
- Avoid chewing on the painful side and avoid very hot, very cold and sugary food.
What Not to Do
- Do not place a painkiller tablet directly on the tooth or gum; it can burn the tissue.
- Do not apply heat to a swelling; it can encourage the infection to spread.
- Do not try to burst a gum swelling yourself.
- Do not take antibiotics without a prescription. Whether they are needed is a clinical decision, and they do not fix the tooth itself.
- Do not cancel treatment because the pain stopped. Pain can fade when the nerve is damaged; that does not mean the problem is gone.
Which Symptoms Are Urgent?
See a dentist without delay if you have any of the following:
- Rapidly increasing swelling of the face, cheek or under the jaw
- Fever and malaise together with swelling
- Difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing
- Severe pain that painkillers do not control or that wakes you at night
- A tooth broken, loosened or knocked out by an injury
- Bleeding after an extraction that does not stop
If you have difficulty breathing or swelling spreading towards the eye or neck, go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately.
What Happens at the Dentist?
The cause of the pain is identified at the examination, with a dental X-ray if needed. Depending on the cause, treatment may be a filling, root canal treatment, draining an abscess, gum treatment or a tooth extraction. The aim of urgent care is first to control pain and infection, then to plan the definitive treatment.
Urgent Dental Care at Defne Prime Dent
Our clinic in Ferhatpaşa, Ataşehir (Istanbul) is open every day from 10:00 to 23:00. If you are in Istanbul and have toothache, swelling, a broken tooth or a lost filling, contact us to ask about a same-day appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does toothache get worse at night?
Lying down increases blood flow to the head and pressure in inflamed tissue. With fewer distractions at night, pain is also felt more strongly.
Does clove oil help toothache?
Clove oil can give brief relief, but too much or incorrect use can irritate the tissue. No home remedy treats decay or infection.
Will toothache go away on its own?
Mild sensitivity may settle. Pain caused by decay or infection may fade temporarily, but the cause remains and the condition can progress.
Can a tooth be extracted while it is swollen?
This depends on the infection and is decided by the dentist. Sometimes the infection must be brought under control before treatment.
I am visiting Istanbul and have toothache. What should I do?
Private dental clinics that are open in the evening and at weekends can usually see you at short notice. Bring a list of any medicines you take and mention any allergies.
This article is for general information only and does not replace an examination. Please consult your dentist for advice specific to you.
