Dental guide
Toothache: what you can do now, and when to see a dentist
Sensible first steps for toothache, the signs that mean you should see a dentist, and when to seek emergency help.
Draft. This guide is not yet approved clinical advice. It awaits review by a named clinician before it can appear on the clinic's official website. It draws on UK (NHS and NICE) guidance; the reviewer will also check how that guidance applies under local requirements and practice.
What this means for you
- Facial, eye or neck swelling, or difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking, needs hospital emergency care straight away.
- Toothache lasting more than two days, or not settling with painkillers, needs a dental assessment.
- Home measures can ease pain for a while, but they do not treat the cause.
Seek emergency medical help straight away if you have toothache with swelling around your eye or in your neck, or swelling in your mouth or neck that makes it hard to breathe, swallow or speak. Go to a hospital emergency department rather than waiting for a dental appointment.
Toothache has many possible causes, including decay, an abscess, a cracked tooth, a loose or broken filling, gum disease, a wisdom tooth coming through, teeth grinding and sensitive teeth. A dentist needs to find the cause to treat it properly.
Things that may help in the meantime
General health guidance suggests:
- eating soft foods and chewing on the other side of your mouth;
- avoiding very hot, very cold or sugary food and drink;
- brushing gently with a soft toothbrush;
- for adults, rinsing with warm salt water;
- taking an over-the-counter painkiller that is suitable for you, following the packet instructions or a pharmacist's advice.
These steps can ease discomfort for a short time. They do not treat the cause.
When to see a dentist
Arrange to see a dentist if your toothache:
- lasts more than two days;
- does not get better with painkillers;
- comes with a high temperature, pain when you bite, red or swollen gums, or a bad taste in your mouth;
- comes with swelling in your cheek or jaw.
Preparing for the appointment
It helps to note when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and any medicines you have taken. Please share medical details with the dental team in person or through the clinic's confirmed channels, not through this preview website.
Sources
- NHS: Toothache (page last reviewed 1 July 2024; checked 26 September 2026)
- NHS: Dental abscess (page last reviewed 18 March 2026; checked 26 September 2026)
General information, not a diagnosis. This guide can't take your individual circumstances into account. Please speak to a dentist about your own situation.