My Tooth Hurts — What Should I Do? A Dentist’s Step-by-Step Guide

Bravodent Blog • General Dentistry

Written by Dr. Dt. Deniz Burcu Mert, Endodontist (Root Canal Specialist), Bravodent Kadıköy • Last updated: 27 October 2026 • Reading time: about 8 minutes

Toothache is one of the most common reasons people contact a dentist — and one of the most stressful, because it rarely waits for a convenient moment. The good news: most toothaches have a clear cause and a predictable treatment. In this guide, our endodontist explains what you can safely do right now, what you should avoid, how to tell what your pain means, and when a toothache becomes an emergency.

What should I do right now if my tooth hurts?

These steps are safe for most adults while you arrange a dental appointment:

• Rinse with warm salt water. Dissolve about half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, swish gently and spit. It soothes irritated gums and helps clean the area. (Not suitable for young children.)
• Floss gently around the painful tooth. A trapped piece of food — popcorn husks and seeds are common culprits — can cause surprisingly strong pain and gum pressure.
• Take an over-the-counter painkiller. Ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory) is often effective for dental pain; paracetamol is an alternative. Follow the label dose and check with a pharmacist if you are pregnant, have stomach, kidney or heart problems, asthma, or take other medicines.
• Use a cold compress. Hold an ice pack wrapped in a cloth against your cheek for 15–20 minutes at a time. Cold reduces swelling and dulls pain.
• Avoid triggers. Skip very hot, cold, sweet or acidic food and drinks, and chew on the opposite side.
• Keep your head raised at night. An extra pillow reduces blood pressure in the head, which often makes throbbing pain worse when lying flat.
• Call your dentist. Describe when the pain started, what triggers it and whether you have swelling or fever — this helps the clinic judge how urgently you need to be seen.

What should I NOT do?

• Don’t put aspirin or any tablet directly on the gum or tooth. It can cause a painful chemical burn of the gum.
• Don’t apply heat to a swollen face. Warmth can encourage an infection to spread.
• Don’t try to pop or drain a swelling yourself.
• Don’t take leftover antibiotics or someone else’s prescription. Wrong or incomplete courses don’t fix the cause and contribute to antibiotic resistance.
• Don’t rely on home remedies such as alcohol, crushed garlic or undiluted essential oils placed on the gum — they can irritate soft tissue and only mask the problem.
• Don’t assume it’s over when the pain stops. Sudden relief after days of throbbing can mean the nerve has died while the infection continues.

Why does my tooth hurt? What your pain may be telling you

The type of pain gives your dentist important clues. Use this table as a rough guide only — a clinical exam and X-ray are needed for a diagnosis.

Related reading: Root canal treatment • Wisdom tooth surgery • Gum (periodontal) diseases • Teeth grinding (bruxism) • Dental injuries and trauma

When is a toothache an emergency?

See a dentist within 24 hours if you have:

• Severe pain that over-the-counter painkillers do not control
• Swelling of the gum, cheek or jaw
• Fever or feeling generally unwell together with toothache
• Pain when biting, red gums or a bad taste or pus in the mouth
• A broken, loose or knocked-out tooth

Go to a hospital emergency department immediately (112 in Turkey) if you have:

• Swelling spreading towards the eye, down the neck or under the tongue
• Difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking
• Inability to open your mouth properly
• High fever with facial swelling
• Bleeding that will not stop, or a serious facial injury

Why does toothache get worse at night?

When you lie down, more blood flows to your head and the pressure inside an inflamed tooth rises — so throbbing pain often intensifies. At night there are also fewer distractions, and grinding during sleep can add pressure. Sleeping with your head slightly raised and taking a painkiller (as directed) before bed can help until your appointment. Pain that regularly wakes you up is a sign the nerve is significantly inflamed.

Will antibiotics fix my toothache?

In most cases, no. Antibiotics do not treat an inflamed nerve or decay, which are the most common causes of toothache. They may be prescribed when an infection is spreading — for example with facial swelling or fever — but the source of the infection still has to be treated by your dentist, usually by root canal treatment, draining the abscess or removing the tooth.

How will a dentist treat my toothache?

At Bravodent, treatment always starts with finding the exact cause:

• Clinical examination — checking the tooth, gums and bite, plus simple cold and tapping tests to assess the nerve.
• Imaging — a periapical X-ray of the tooth, and, when needed, 3D cone-beam tomography (CBCT) for complex roots, cracks or wisdom teeth.

Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include:

Is root canal treatment painful?

Modern root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthesia and, for most patients, feels similar to having a filling. Its purpose is to remove the source of the pain — many patients feel significant relief afterwards. Mild tenderness when biting for a few days is normal and usually settles with ordinary painkillers.

Toothache while travelling or before a flight

A toothache abroad can be especially worrying. Changes in cabin pressure can make an already inflamed or infected tooth more painful, so if you have active pain or swelling, get the tooth checked before you fly. If you are visiting Istanbul — or planning dental treatment here — our international patient team can help in English, German, Russian, French and Arabic. Learn more about dental tourism at Bravodent and whether dental treatment in Turkey is safe.

How can I prevent toothache?

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily
• Limit how often you have sugary snacks and drinks
• Have a dental check-up and professional cleaning regularly — usually every six months
• Don’t ignore early sensitivity or bleeding gums — small problems are easier and cheaper to treat
• Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth, and a mouthguard for contact sports

Toothache treatment at Bravodent Kadıköy, Istanbul

Bravodent is a dental clinic in Bostancı, Kadıköy, on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, authorised by the Ministry of Health of Türkiye as a health tourism provider. Toothache cases are assessed by our team, which includes a specialist endodontist (root canal specialist), an oral surgeon, periodontists and a paediatric dentist for children.

Frequently asked questions about toothache

About the author

Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace a personal examination. If you have severe pain, swelling or fever, contact a dentist or emergency services without delay.

References

• NHS: Toothache
• NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB: Urgent dental care
• Mayo Clinic: Toothache first aid

Bravodent | Kadıköy, Istanbul | Authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health. This content is for information. Ask your dentist about your own dental health.