Tooth pain can range from a mild ache to unbearable throbbing, often striking suddenly and even disrupting sleep. It frequently radiates into the ear or jaw. Severe pain may be caused by a simple cavity or by a more serious infection or injury. While you wait for professional care, there are safe ways to ease the pain at home.
Below, we explain common causes of extreme toothache, practical home remedies (including tips for tooth pain that won’t let you sleep), and clear guidelines for when dental care is urgently needed.
Table of Contents
Common Causes of Unbearable Tooth Pain
- Several dental problems can lead to severe, throbbing tooth pain. Common causes include cavities (tooth decay), cracked or chipped teeth, gum (periodontal) disease, dental abscesses (infections) and issues with wisdom teeth. For example, an untreated cavity that reaches the tooth nerve can cause intense, throbbing pain.
- A dental abscess (a pocket of pus from infection) usually causes sudden, severe pain and facial or jaw swelling that may feel unbearable. Impacted or infected wisdom teeth often produce constant jaw pain and swelling as they try to emerge.
- In many cases, the pain becomes worse when lying down, which is why it can prevent sleep. Grinding or clenching the teeth (bruxism) can also wear down enamel and create aching or sharp pain in the teeth and jaw muscles. Sometimes sinus infections or jaw joint problems can mimic toothache as well.
Home Remedies for Unbearable Tooth Pain
While only a dentist can treat the root problem, these at-home strategies can reduce tooth pain and make it more bearable until you get professional care:
- Cold Compress: Apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth to the cheek outside the painful area for 10–15 minutes. The cold will numb the pain and reduce inflammation. (Do not put ice directly on your skin.)
- Warm Saltwater Rinse: Dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Swish the solution around your mouth for 30 seconds and spit it out. Saltwater rinses help clean the area, reduce swelling and soothe inflamed gums.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Take an appropriate dose of ibuprofen (Nurofen) or paracetamol (Panadol) according to the label instructions. These are anti-inflammatory pain relievers that can significantly reduce toothache while you wait for dental treatment. Always follow the recommended dosage and ask a pharmacist if you have any concerns.
- Topical Clove Oil: Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural anesthetic that can temporarily numb the tooth. Dab a very small amount of diluted clove oil onto a cotton ball and gently apply it to the painful tooth or gum for a few minutes. (Use it sparingly and avoid swallowing it, as it is strong. Clove oil products are often found in pharmacies.)
- Soft Diet and Gentle Care: Eat soft foods and avoid chewing on the painful side of your mouth to prevent aggravating the tooth. Avoid extremely hot, cold or sweet foods, which can trigger throbbing pain if the tooth is sensitive. Switch to a soft toothbrush and clean your teeth gently to avoid irritating the area.
- Elevate Your Head: When tooth pain is very bad at night, prop your head up with an extra pillow. Lying flat can increase blood flow to your head and worsen pain. Raising your head can help reduce pressure in the tooth and ease throbbing pain.
- Rest and Hydration: Being well-rested and hydrated helps your body manage pain better. Drink plenty of water and avoid excessive caffeine or alcohol, as they can dehydrate you and intensify pain.
How to Stop Tooth Pain Fast
To get quick relief from intense tooth pain, focus on numbing and reducing inflammation. In practice, the fastest methods include taking an appropriate painkiller (ibuprofen or paracetamol) and applying cold to the area. In summary:
- Take a dose of ibuprofen or paracetamol immediately (with food, if needed), and repeat as directed on the label.
- Apply a cold pack for 10–15 minutes to numb the area and reduce swelling.
- Rinse with warm saltwater to clean the area and soothe irritation.
- If clove oil is available, use a diluted drop on the tooth for temporary numbness.
- These steps often reduce severe toothache quickly, but remember they are temporary measures. Even if the pain goes down, you should still get dental care to fix the underlying issue.
Coping with Tooth Pain at Night
Extreme tooth pain often feels worse at night, both because there are fewer distractions and because lying down can increase pressure in the head. If unbearable tooth pain is keeping you awake, try these tips:
- Keep your head elevated on pillows: As noted, sleeping upright or with extra pillows prevents blood from pooling in the head, which eases throbbing pain.
- Use a nighttime pain control strategy: Take your pain medication about 30–60 minutes before bedtime so it’s fully in effect when you try to sleep. Follow the same guidelines for dosage.
- Warm saltwater before bed: Gently rinse with warm saltwater right before lying down to reduce gum inflammation.
- Avoid triggers: Turn off bright lights and loud noises that can heighten pain perception. A dim, quiet environment can help you relax despite the ache.
- If pain is truly unbearable and you cannot find any relief at night, seek urgent dental care (see the next section for when this is necessary).
When to See a Dentist
Home remedies can only provide temporary relief. You should see a dentist as soon as possible if any of the following occur:
- The tooth pain lasts more than 2 days without improvement. Persistent pain usually means the underlying issue (like a deep cavity or abscess) needs professional treatment.
- Swelling develops in the face, jaw or gums, even if pain is tolerable. Facial swelling often signals an infection that must be treated promptly.
- You develop a fever or feel very ill alongside the toothache, which could indicate that an infection is spreading.
- You have difficulty swallowing or breathing, or swelling is pressing on your throat. (This is an emergency – call triple-0 (000) immediately in Australia.)
- The pain is unbearable and does not go away with medication. In fact, Cleveland Clinic notes that if you have “unbearable tooth pain that doesn’t get better with medication,” it requires immediate care.
A dentist will examine your mouth and likely take X-rays to find the cause. Treatment will depend on the diagnosis: it may include cleaning and treating a cavity, draining an abscess, root canal therapy, a crown, or even removing a severely damaged tooth. For example, a simple cavity may just need a filling, while a deep infection might require a root canal and antibiotics.
Preventing Toothache and Jaw Pain
Good oral care can drastically reduce the chance of developing severe tooth pain later on. Key prevention tips include:
- Daily brushing and flossing: Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once daily to remove plaque. This helps prevent cavities and gum disease, the two biggest causes of tooth pain.
- Regular dental check-ups: Visit your dentist every 6–12 months for cleanings and exams. The dentist can spot and fix problems early (such as small cavities or cracks) before they become painful.
- Healthy diet: Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks, which promote decay and sensitivity. Drink tap water (with fluoride) instead of sodas or fruit juices.
- Wear a mouthguard: If you grind your teeth at night, a custom night guard (bite splint) can protect your teeth and jaw muscles, preventing pain and damage.
- Use a soft toothbrush: A softer bristle brush is gentle on enamel and gums, helping prevent gum recession and sensitivity.
By following good oral hygiene and healthy habits, you can lower the risk of “extreme tooth pain” in the future. Remember, a toothache is a warning sign that something is wrong. As Cleveland Clinic advises, a toothache that lingers won’t go away on its own and should prompt a dental visit. Early treatment can prevent a minor ache from turning into an unbearable problem.
Need Urgent Relief? Contact Us Today
If you’re experiencing unbearable tooth pain, don’t wait—timely care is essential to prevent complications. At Richmond & Springvale Dental Group, our experienced dentists provide fast, compassionate, and effective treatment for toothaches, infections, and dental emergencies.
📍 Visit us in Abbotsford or Springvale for same-day appointments.
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Don’t let the pain take over—let us help you smile again.
