Treatment

Self-care tips

Until you can see your dentist, try these self-care tips for a toothache:

• Rinse your mouth with warm water.
• Use dental floss to remove any food bits or plaque between your teeth.
• Consider taking a pain reliever you can buy without a prescription to dull the ache. But don't place aspirin or another painkiller directly against your gums because it may burn your gum tissue.
• If the toothache is caused by trauma to the tooth, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek.