How to Stop a Painful Toothache

A painful toothache can stop you right in your tracks. This kind of pain often makes it difficult to eat, drink or even concentrate. You can try to treat minor toothaches at home before you seek medical intervention. However, if you have a fever with your toothache or you cannot breathe well, you should seek medical attention right away. Otherwise, there are multiple ways to help relieve the pain of your toothache at home.

Things You'll Need

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Dental floss
• Salt
• Cloves
• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Benzocaine gel

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Instructions

• 1

  Brush your teeth and floss. This is your first line of defense, since some toothaches are actually gum aches caused by tiny bits of food wedged between your teeth and gums.

• 2

  Rinse out your mouth with a salt water solution. Add 2 tbsp. of salt to an 8-ounce glass of warm water. Swish the salt water in your mouth for several seconds before spitting. Continue until you use at least half of the glass. This can help to reduce inflammation and pain.

• 3

  Treat your toothache with a drop of clove oil on your tooth and gum, or you can chew a couple of dried cloves. Cloves have a natural numbing effect.

• 4

  Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to combat pain and swelling.

• 5

  Apply a toothache gel containing benzocaine to the sore area to numb it.