Dra. Cléo Salustiano In this article
SummaryWhy home remedies ease the pain but do not solve itWhat to do, what not to do and when it is an emergencyFAQRead nextHome Remedies for Toothache: What Helps and What to Avoid
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Home remedies for toothache can bring temporary relief, but they do not treat the cause, which may be decay, nerve inflammation, an abscess, a cracked tooth or inflamed gums. Until your visit, it is safe to brush and floss the area, rinse with warm salt water, use a cold compress on the outside of the face with a cloth, sleep with your head raised and avoid cold, hot or sweet foods. Pain relievers only as advised by a doctor, dentist or pharmacist and the package leaflet. Do not put tablets on the gum, alcohol, garlic or concentrated oils, and do not take antibiotics on your own. Spreading swelling, fever or trouble swallowing or breathing call for an emergency room. In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients every day, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Some home measures can ease a toothache for a few hours, but no home remedy treats the cause. The ones that are safe and usually help until your visit are: cleaning the tooth well with a soft brush and floss to remove trapped food; rinsing gently with warm water and a little salt; using a cold compress on the outside of the face, always with a cloth between the ice and the skin; sleeping with your head raised; and avoiding very cold, hot or sweet foods. Pain relievers should only be used as advised by a doctor, dentist or pharmacist and according to the package leaflet.
In clinical practice, it is common to see patients who spent days trying to solve the pain at home, sometimes with remedies that hurt the gum, such as a tablet placed on the tooth or alcohol on the area. When the pain disappears after a few days, it does not always mean the problem is over: in some cases the tooth's nerve may have been affected and the infection keeps progressing without pain.
Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844), a dentist in Mooca, explains what can help safely until you are seen, what you should never do, why toothache often gets worse at night and which signs call for emergency care.
This article comes from Dr. Cléo Salustiano's dental office in Mooca, São Paulo (care in English, Portuguese and Spanish). See the general dentistry page to learn how the treatment is done here and book your assessment.
Why home remedies ease the pain but do not solve it
A toothache is a symptom, not a disease. The most common causes are decay that has reached close to the nerve, inflammation of the pulp (the tooth's "nerve"), an abscess, a cracked tooth, a faulty filling, inflamed gums, food stuck between teeth, an erupting wisdom tooth and sensitivity from wear or gum recession. Each one needs different treatment, from a filling or cleaning to a root canal or extraction. That is why the same home remedy does not work for every case.
Safe home measures have a limited effect: they remove food debris pressing on the gum, temporarily reduce swelling and sensitivity, or avoid the triggers that set off the pain. They do not remove decay, do not treat inflammation inside the tooth and do not drain an infection. It is like switching off a warning light on the car dashboard without fixing the engine: the relief is welcome, but the problem is still there.
Why does toothache get worse at night? When you lie down, blood flow to the head changes and pressure inside an inflamed tooth tends to rise. There are also fewer distractions at night, so you notice the pain more. Pain that wakes you, throbs or starts on its own, without a trigger, usually points to pulp inflammation and deserves prompt assessment. The article when do you need a root canal explains these signs.
Cloves, teas and other popular remedies: clove is well known because it contains eugenol, a substance found in some dental materials, but concentrated clove oil applied at home can irritate or burn the gum and the lining of the mouth, and it does not treat the cause. So applying it undiluted to the tooth or gum without guidance is not recommended. Teas such as chamomile are popular, but there is no basis for considering them a treatment; if you use them, keep them lukewarm or cool, never hot on a painful tooth.
| Measure | Can I use it? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Soft brush and floss around the tooth | Yes | Removes trapped food, a common cause of pain |
| Warm salt-water rinse | Yes | Temporary relief; does not treat the cause |
| Cold compress on the outside of the face, with a cloth | Yes | A few minutes at a time; never ice directly |
| Head raised while sleeping | Yes | May reduce throbbing pain at night |
| Tablet placed on the tooth or gum | No | Burns the tissue and does not relieve tooth pain |
| Alcohol, spirits, garlic or vinegar on the area | No | Irritate and can burn the gum |
| Concentrated clove oil | Avoid without guidance | Can irritate or burn the lining of the mouth |
| Hot compress on a swollen face | No | May worsen swelling; seek care |
What to do, what not to do and when it is an emergency
What can help until your visit: brush gently and floss around the area, because sometimes the pain comes from trapped food; rinse with warm water and about half a teaspoon of salt in a glass, without swallowing, a few times a day; apply a cold compress on the outside of the face, wrapped in a cloth, for a few minutes at a time with breaks; chew on the other side and choose soft, lukewarm foods; and at night, rest your head on an extra pillow. If you need a pain reliever, use it only as advised by a doctor, dentist or pharmacist and the package leaflet, taking into account allergies, pregnancy and other medications.
What not to do: do not place a tablet (such as aspirin) on the tooth or gum, as it burns the tissue; do not apply alcohol, spirits, vinegar, garlic, kerosene or cleaning products; do not put ice directly on the skin or the tooth; do not use a hot compress on your face if there is swelling; do not try to pierce or squeeze a lump on the gum; do not take leftover antibiotics or anti-inflammatories, or ones suggested by friends; and do not use hydrogen peroxide or concentrated oils without professional guidance. And do not put off the visit just because the pain has stopped.
Go to an emergency room right away if there is facial swelling that grows or spreads to the eye or neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, fever, feeling very unwell or a mouth that barely opens. These signs may indicate a spreading infection. Severe pain that does not ease, pain after a blow to the mouth or pus on the gum call for same-day dental care. See also tooth abscess: what to do and toothache: when is it an emergency.
This content is for information only and does not replace an exam. Consult a dentist whenever you have a toothache, even if home measures ease it, because only an exam shows the cause. In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano sees patients every day, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Sundays and holidays, for dental emergencies in Mooca and evening and Sunday appointments.
What is the safest home remedy for toothache?
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The safest measures are cleaning the area with a soft brush and floss, rinsing with warm salt water and using a cold compress on the outside of the face, with a cloth. They ease the pain for a while but do not treat its cause.
Does a salt-water rinse help with toothache?
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It can help loosen food debris and soothe the gum for a while. Use warm, not hot, water with about half a teaspoon of salt in a glass, and do not swallow it. It does not treat decay, nerve inflammation or infection.
Toothache at night: what should I do?
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Sleeping with your head raised, avoiding sweet or cold foods before bed, cleaning your teeth well and using a cold compress on the outside of the face may help. Pain that wakes you or throbs usually points to inflammation in the tooth and needs assessment. If swelling spreads or you have trouble swallowing or breathing, go to an emergency room.
Does putting aspirin or another tablet on the tooth relieve pain?
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No. A tablet placed on the tooth does not act on it and can burn the gum and the inside of the cheek, creating a sore that also hurts. Pain relievers should only be used as advised by a health professional and the package leaflet.
Does clove work for toothache?
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Clove contains eugenol, a substance used in some dental materials, and may bring short-lived relief for some people. But concentrated oil can irritate or burn the lining of the mouth and does not treat the cause. Do not apply undiluted oil to the tooth or gum without guidance.
My toothache went away on its own. Do I still need a dentist?
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Yes. Pain can ease because the inflammation changed phase or because the tooth's nerve was affected, while decay or infection keeps progressing. Only an exam shows the cause and keeps the problem from coming back worse.
Where can I get a toothache treated in Mooca, including at night?
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In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients at Rua Hipódromo, 1141, near Bresser-Mooca station, Monday to Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including holidays. Appointments via WhatsApp (11) 97409-7834, in Portuguese, English or Spanish.
