Fastest Way to Help Stop a Toothache at Home

Has this ever happened to you–you’re getting ready to relax after a long day when you have sudden or acute dental pain? If it has, then you know just how quickly your number one priority becomes finding a way to make your toothache stop.

Five fast ways to help stop a toothache at home

Here are five fast ways to help stop a toothache at home:

  1. Apply a cold compress
    If you see or feel any swelling inside your mouth, start by applying a cold compress to the outside area of your cheek or jaw for 20 minutes at a time. This can help interrupt pain signals to the brain and reduce inflammation.
  2. Take an anti-inflammatory
    In addition to applying a cold compress to stop a toothache at home, you can also take an over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen or an OTC pain medication that includes acetaminophen.
  3. Rinse with salt water
    If you think you’re experiencing pain because of an infection, you can help clean the infection and promote temporary pain relief by swishing with warm salt water. This can also help heal any wounds inside your mouth and reduce inflammation. Just try not to swallow any of the salt water while you rinse.
  4. Use a heat pack
    Heat packs applied to the outside area of your cheek or jaw can help reduce pain by interrupting pain signals from your mouth to your brain. If you don’t have a heat pack, you can fill a clean sock with rice and tie the open end shut. Then, place the rice-filled sock in the microwave for about a minute. Use caution to make sure the rice-filled sock is a comfortable warm temperature before applying!
  5. Use peppermint tea bags
    Peppermint tea bags have mild numbing properties that may help alleviate dental pain temporarily. These can be used cool or warm.

While it’s important to know how to stop a toothache at home, any dental pain is a warning sign that something isn’t right. If you’re experiencing any issues with your teeth or gums, the skilled dentists and dental hygienists at Alpine Dental Health can help. We strive to offer people a relaxed experience centered around comfort, compassion and respect. We truly care about each patient and look forward to helping you keep your teeth and gums healthy. Please see below for our office locations.

Boulder Office – 2700 Canyon Blvd, Suite 210
Dr. Whitney Smith
303-800-2492

Downtown Denver Office – 910 16th St. Mall, Suite 711
Dr. Barry Taller
303-847-4469

West Fort Collins Office – 1015 S. Taft Hill Rd Taft Hill Office – Unit K
Dr. Seth Cowden
970-292-7199

Downtown Fort Collins Office – College Ave Office950 S. Taft Hill Rd.
INTERIM OFFICE WHILE NEW LOCATION IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Dr. Mick McDill, Dr. Todd Rosenzweig, Dr. Mesa Roth
970-292-6902

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