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Toothache: Causes, Pain Relief and When to Get Help

Toothache is usually a sign that a tooth or the gum around it needs treatment. Here are the common causes, what you can safely do while you wait for a dentist, and the signs that mean you need help the same day.

Updated September 2026·By the OHA editorial team·6 min read·How we write
Key takeaways
  • Toothache is most often caused by tooth decay, but a dental abscess, a cracked tooth, gum disease, a wisdom tooth or sinusitis can also be responsible.
  • See a dentist if toothache lasts more than 2 days or painkillers do not help. A GP cannot give dental treatment.
  • While you wait, ibuprofen or paracetamol, soft food and a salt-water rinse can help. Check the medicine suits you, and never put aspirin on the tooth or gum.
  • Swelling around the eye or neck, or trouble breathing, speaking or swallowing, needs emergency hospital care.

Toothache can be a dull ache that comes and goes or a severe, throbbing pain. healthdirect Australia says it usually affects one side of the face and can spread to the head, ear or jaw. Painkillers can take the edge off, but they do not treat the cause. The NHS says a dentist can treat the cause and stop problems getting worse.

What causes toothache?

The NHS, healthdirect and the American Dental Association (ADA) list these causes:

  • Tooth decay. The ADA says toothache usually indicates a cavity (a hole in a tooth caused by decay). See tooth decay.
  • A dental abscess, a build-up of pus in the teeth or gums caused by an infection. The NHS says it will not go away on its own and needs urgent treatment by a dentist.
  • A cracked or damaged tooth, or a loose or broken filling. The ADA says a crack may not show up to the naked eye or even on an X-ray, but can be very painful, and to see a dentist if you have pain when chewing.
  • Gum disease, which the ADA says toothache can also signal. See gum disease.
  • Wisdom teeth. The NHS says infection often happens when a tooth such as a wisdom tooth has broken through the gum but does not have room to come through fully. It calls this kind of gum infection pericoronitis. See wisdom teeth.
  • Grinding your teeth and problems with braces (NHS). See teeth grinding.
  • Sensitive teeth (NHS). See tooth sensitivity.
  • Sinusitis, swelling of the sinuses usually caused by an infection. The NHS lists toothache as one of its symptoms and says it is common after a cold or flu. The ADA also names sinus problems as a possible cause of jaw pain, and says a dental examination, which may include X-rays, helps find the source.

healthdirect also lists mouth ulcers and, rarely, oral cancer as possible causes.

Pain that is not from your teeth

healthdirect Australia notes that sometimes pain from your heart can feel like a toothache. If you are unsure where the pain is coming from, or feel unwell in other ways, get medical advice.

How to ease toothache while you wait for a dentist

These steps can make you more comfortable, but they do not fix the problem.

Painkillers

The NHS and healthdirect both suggest ibuprofen or paracetamol. Follow the instructions on the packet and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure. The NHS warns not to take more than the recommended dose of any painkiller: a higher dose will not work better but can be very dangerous.

Cautions from the NHS medicines pages:

  • Ibuprofen may not be suitable if you have had a stomach ulcer, have asthma, a heart, liver or kidney condition or a blood-clotting problem, have had a stroke, or are allergic to ibuprofen, aspirin or similar medicines. The NHS says to avoid it in pregnancy unless a doctor or pharmacist advises it; paracetamol is usually the best painkiller in pregnancy. Ibuprofen can also interact with some medicines, including blood thinners such as warfarin.
  • Paracetamol: do not take it with other medicines that contain paracetamol, such as some cold and flu remedies, and do not take it for more than 3 days unless a doctor tells you to.
  • Aspirin and children. Advice differs between countries. The NHS says children under 16 should not take aspirin. healthdirect says not to give aspirin to children under 12 unless a doctor has prescribed it. Follow the advice where you live, or ask a pharmacist.
  • Never put aspirin directly on the tooth or gum, the ADA says.

Other things that may help

  • Salt-water rinse. The NHS suggests half a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water, rinsed and spat out. Children should not try this in case they swallow it.
  • A pain-relieving gel. The NHS mentions a mouth gel from a pharmacy. healthdirect says an anaesthetic (numbing) gel may help for a short time; ask a dentist or pharmacist if it is right for you.
  • A cold compress, such as an ice pack wrapped in a cloth, held against your face to reduce swelling and pain (healthdirect).
  • Prop your head up. healthdirect says lying flat can make dental pain feel worse.
  • Soft foods such as yoghurt or scrambled eggs, and avoid chewing on the sore side (NHS).
  • Avoid sweet foods and anything very hot or very cold (NHS, healthdirect).
  • Brush gently with a soft toothbrush, and do not smoke, which the NHS says can make some dental problems worse.

Should you floss around a sore tooth?

The sources differ. The NHS advises avoiding flossing around the sore tooth. The ADA says to rinse with warm water and gently floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. If flossing makes the pain worse, stop and leave it for your dentist.

When to see a dentist

The NHS and healthdirect both say to see a dentist if toothache lasts more than 2 days or does not get better with painkillers. The ADA says toothache should be checked by a dentist right away, to find the cause and prevent the tooth from dying.

Do not go to a GP: the NHS says they cannot give dental treatment. In the UK, NHS 111 can advise if you do not have a dentist. In Australia, healthdirect notes that public dental services offer free or low-cost care to eligible people.

Depending on the cause, healthdirect says treatment may include a filling, root canal treatment, a crown, or removing a badly infected tooth. See fillings and root canal treatment. For an abscess, the NHS says the dentist will drain the pus.

When to see a dentist
  • Your toothache has lasted more than 2 days, or painkillers are not helping (NHS, healthdirect).
  • You have toothache with a high temperature, pain when you bite, red gums, a bad taste in your mouth, or a swollen cheek or jaw (NHS). healthdirect also lists fever (over 38°C) and trouble swallowing.
  • You think you have a dental abscess. The NHS says to ask for an urgent dentist appointment or get help from NHS 111.
Get help urgently
  • UK: the NHS says go to A&E if you have toothache and the area around your eye or your neck is swollen, or swelling in your mouth or neck makes it hard to breathe, swallow or speak. For a dental abscess it also says call 999 or go to A&E if you have a swollen or painful eye, sudden eyesight problems, a lot of swelling in your mouth, or cannot open your mouth easily. Do not drive yourself.
  • Australia: healthdirect says get emergency medical care if toothache or gum swelling causes problems breathing or speaking, or swelling around your eye or neck.
  • See also dental emergencies.

How to prevent toothache

The NHS says to keep your teeth and gums healthy: brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth every day, keep sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes (sugar, acid and your teeth), and have regular dental check-ups. healthdirect adds: avoid or limit smoking and vaping, and do not use your teeth to open things.

Frequently asked questions

Will toothache go away on its own?

The pain may fade, but the cause usually needs treatment. The NHS says a dental abscess will not go away on its own.

Can I take ibuprofen and paracetamol together?

The NHS says adults can take them at the same time if needed, but it is a good idea to try each on its own first. Ibuprofen is not suitable for everyone, so check the leaflet or ask a pharmacist.

Will I be given antibiotics?

Not usually. healthdirect says antibiotics are usually not used for toothache unless there is a clear infection.

Sources

  1. Toothache, NHS, accessed September 2026
  2. Dental abscess, NHS, accessed September 2026
  3. Sinusitis (sinus infection), NHS, accessed September 2026
  4. Wisdom tooth removal, NHS, accessed September 2026
  5. Ibuprofen for adults, NHS, accessed September 2026
  6. Paracetamol for adults, NHS, accessed September 2026
  7. Toothache and gum swelling, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  8. Medicines for babies and children, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  9. Dental emergencies, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
  10. Top 10 dental symptoms, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026

This article is general information about oral health. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a dentist or doctor who knows your situation. If you have pain, swelling, bleeding that does not settle, or a problem that is getting worse, see a dental professional. In an emergency, contact your local emergency service.

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