The gums around my teeth, that have a cavity in them hurt very badly. I have taken Ibuprofen, Tylenol and nothing seems to touch the pain.
How can I relieve extreme tooth pain temporarily, until I can see a dentist?
Question posted by Jkoch1 on 29 March 2013
Last updated on 17 May 2023
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
75 Answers Page 4
Simplelogic
21 Jan 2016
Try rubbing Vicks vapor rub on your face where the nerve endings are along the jawline. I read that this takes away the pain instantly. Also gargle with Listerine and hold it in your mouth where the pain is and then spit it out... This provides temporary relief. I hope this helps
shaashaa77
13 Feb 2016
best tip ever I did not think that would work. thankyou as I was in agony now I am in pain still but not agony. ty again. :)
cpanrock
20 Feb 2016
I try the Vicks Vapor Rub it works
Mandie3
23 Feb 2016
I was in extreme pain with a toothache and had tried everything. I found this about vapor rub and tried it; it worked. Thank you.
Simplelogic
9 March 2016
You're very welcome! :-)
j_spengemann
12 March 2016
Took ibprofren and did the vicks vapor rub worked awesome!!!
sumitsundriyal
31 March 2016
Thank a lot my dear friend for sharing this information. It really helped.
Thanks once again.
glakes homeboy
27 April 2016
I, too have had my share of serious toothaches in years past. Two things, 3 really, which consistently worked for me;
- Ibuprofen, 3x200 mg
- Vitamin C, 1000mg
- Antibiotics, until you get a script, pet supply stores sell them!
Get to a Dentist or Oral Surgeon ASAP!!! Many are empathetic and will provide services to get you out of severe pain. (some who assisted me remain my real-life heroes)!
I have a friend who ignored/tried to escape from Dental work. He ended up near-death twice, and had to endure Brain Surgeries because the damage Infections from tooth decay caused him. Get to it!!! Please!
bookho
28 April 2016
Thank you, thank you thank you! I am in excruciating pain as we speak. I took (3) 7.5 of percocet together they didn't work at all for the tooth pain. I just rubbed the vapor rub on my jawline and the pain is gone!! I never would have believed it but I was desperate and tried it. My pain is gone.
kja002
2 May 2016
I made an account just to say thank you. I put Vicks on my cheek and within a few min the pain is gone. I've been fighting this tooth ache for three days now. Being broke with no dental insurance sucks. Anyways, thanks again. You saved my sanity.
ashleyrich100211
4 May 2016
Thank you so much!! I tried the Vicks and it knocked it from a 10 down to a 3 or 4!! I recommend this all the way!
SamOoOo
7 May 2016
So, so far I've tried two types of Orajel, green tea, Tylenol, Ice pack, Echinacea AND a Tylenol three, plus some crying and nothing has worked for my toothache which at this point I think it's a infection and it's starting to go to my ear and my whole cheek. I look up more remedies and see your post and since I can't take anymore drugs I thought why not just try the VapoRub and oh my god I feel 1000 times better! I just wanted to thank you.
mtrenee2004
18 July 2017
Thank you so much!!! I was in excruciating pain and when I rub the vapor rub on my face it was like magic the pain was relieved and that horrible throbbing! This did the trick.
yamini potter
16 Jan 2016
I have a really bad tooth pain how should I stop this pain and is Advil a good pain reliever???
Jerde249
30 Dec 2015
This has come from a dentist to my mother and then to me. He told her to use clove oil. Use like a q tip and apply it right to where it hurts. It tastes awful but it does work.
KHJ893173
20 Dec 2015
Clove oil. I found it at my local hometown pharmacy. It helped tremendously until I could get to my dentist.
jjonaitis817
20 Dec 2015
Break a tramadol in half and put it directly on the cavity of the tooth and let it dissolve.
vmarshe
16 Dec 2015
There's also these powdery pain relievers called BCPowder and the other is Goody's. Place a little bit of it on your tooth just like the orajel powder... it's like $1.50 for a pack of 6. And can be found at any gas station, corner store and drug store. Its nasty but it works.
Jasminewright22
6 Dec 2015
Orijel tripple strength. Wal-Mart has it its hard to find it dosnt get rid of the pain you just cant feel it.
jacob40524
22 Oct 2015
Truth is I tried a MILLION Remedies and medicines today nothing can help a bad toothache, I have taken a hydrocodone 7.5 and 2 perkaset 10's today nothings helped it I gargled with warm salt water and I have tried proxide and alcohol. I have tried mouthwash . and mouthwash for sores. orajel !! should I keep goin? GO TO THE DENTIST IF POSSIBLE. Like I am
Mavrick1231
19 Nov 2015
A Toothbrush and toothpaste are the biggest help. Take care of your chompers and this wouldn't happen.. But in all seriousness, i chew on cloves. It helps very very well.
thecalilove
22 Dec 2015
@Maverick1231 I didn't have a single cavity or any issues all the way to my twenties. In the past two years, my teeth have started to literally rot away. I have tried everything I can to stop it, INCLUDING the age old remedy of toothbrush and toothpaste. Some of us don't have the luxury of stellar health. Do you know what happens to your body when you acquire multiple chronic/autoimmune illnesses? It attacks itself. And most of the time, your teeth fall victim. People came here for help... advice. Not to be mocked or treated like idiots. Think before you speak, please. We're in enough pain as it is, without having to read comments that seem to belittle us.
srichards0615
11 Jan 2016
Thank you maverick... his post was very uncalled for!
Mamasmurf01
25 Jan 2016
Here here, I came to this site because I am suffering really badly tonight with severe pain in my tooth and gum, just last week I was in this same predicament but with a swollen face I was told I had an infection which resulted in an abscess and a full tooth removal, unfortunately my dentists emergency apts. Don't start till early tomorrow morning, I may have to gargle with salty to start with then cry all night as my pain meds that I take won't touch the pain I'm in! Help?
AOLIVER2016
11 March 2016
@thecalilove You're so right about autoimmune diseases attacking its self cause that is what is happening to me. Before Thanksgiving of last year I was diagnosed with lupus, the one where it attacks your organs, SLE. It started first attacking the biggest organs of them all, the skin but also from then on I've noticed that it also attacks something else my teeth making them decay and rot away and nothing I do can stop that. Right now I'm dealing with my teeth hurting on both sides of the mouth and nothing is helping that much at all. I have brushed my teeth with Sensodyne to no prevail, have rinsed my mouth with Listerine the one with the alcohol in it, with warm salt water, and taken 1 ibuprofen 600 mg and 2 Tylenol 500 mg and still am not getting any relief.
To make it worse I'm an a very limited income and am having trouble being able to get dental insurance that you can get fillings and if need be extractions right away they all have a waiting period before that can be done. @Mavrick1231 so no we don't need someone to make up feel stupid and put down when we're asking for some help and/or advice on this matter. Where's your heart?!
AOLIVER2016
11 March 2016
Couldn't find a way to edit my comment and just found a typo, * instead of up should of read us sorry for the typo.
thecalilove
12 March 2016
@AOLIVER2016 I use biotin..the toothpaste and the mouthwash. It's for dry mouth, but my doc said that's the root of the problem with autoimmune diseases once they hit your mouth. Really bad pain, I swish lidocaine around my mouth, and take Aleve, which really helps. I know the struggle, and I'm really sorry you're going through it too.
SteveP9090
19 Sep 2015
I did the salt dissolved in water thing - swishing it around made it worse and not only that but other teeth that didn't give me problems before are stinging now! (stinging on the cutting edges where there's little enamel left)
SteveP9090
19 Sep 2015
OMG the pain got so much worse I tried the Listerine thing and it numbed it pretty well. What I have are pieces of fillings that have come out so I have literal holes in two of my molars. I can eat now and make it to Walgreens to buy some of the other things people have suggested here. The oil of oregano is expensive though.
JonGarrett
18 Sep 2015
I know this is old but I have a guaranteed way to stop the pain.
Years ago I had the worse pain I ever felt. My tooth pain and inflammation was so severe that I could only consume room temperature liquids.
A friend of mine handed me something and said "try this"
I took the "POWDERY WHITE SUBSTANCE" just a tiny grain of rice sized piece and rubbed it on my gumbs right where the pain was.
It tasted awful, but I swear the pain went from 100 to zero in about 60 seconds.
I was so relieved of the pain that my eyes started to tear--I almost cried that's how fast it worked and wasn't suffering anymore.
I then took some some antibiotics so the inflammation and swelling went down.
The thing is, I only had to do it once.
I highly recommend you find your friendly neighborhood "pharmacist" at get the lowest amount he'll sell you. $20 - $30 but you only need a grain of rice sized bit.
Just wet the tip of your finger on your tounge and just a tiny dab will do.
Painteeth1234
18 Sep 2015
What was the substance you took cause at this point I'm desperate.
JonGarrett
19 Sep 2015
Coke, not the kind you drink.
tomtomtomtom
15 Nov 2015
Jon is right, I have tooth pain at the moment and just happened to "find" a strange powdery substance that I already had... dont know why I didn't think about it... plus dentists STILL use that substance in a different form as a local anaesthetic
ports_86
30 Nov 2015
I was about to call my boss to wake him up for some.
Oil of oregano works great for instant relief. Don't know length yet. Just applied it
stephmojica30
28 Dec 2015
I'm sorry to bother u so late but I was reading your post I have a bad bad tooth pain I can't take it anymore I feel like punching my self in the face or ripping out my tooth i currently on medicine right now I have vicadines n penicillin it helped for a while but the pain has came bk worse n I see u put some kind white susbtiance on it do u know what kind I'm desperate to know plz I'm in extremely in pain n I have a 3 month old baby girl n I can't attend to her do to the pain plz help me thank u ..
Bustyjute3
13 Jan 2016
The coco works. But don't get caught with it, if you have dental pain you could also use salt and pepper in a paste like form it's a old remedy for a antihistamine.
Leggett
9 May 2016
You know the reason that coke works is because they cut it heavily with novacane yeah? Made to numb the mouth during dental work.
moraymah
11 Sep 2015
Rinsing my mouth slowly with warm water and salt helped. Putting kanka ointment alleviated the pain.
angielovenickCarter
7 Jan 2016
I try everything I have at home and try the salt water and did not help with it at all so what should I do ??
bedpan stew
25 Jan 2016
ok folks here's what you need to do,first you need to get to the liquor store and pick some Ever-clear yes that's right!!! be careful taking the first sip cause it BURNS this is the best pain reliever I've come across so good luck
sweetie75
26 March 2016
The water has to be warm are as hot as you can take it with salt
RemedyMack
21 April 2016
Mix a 1:1 ratio (50/50) of salt and pepper. Add a couple hot drops of water and crush it into a paste. Use a q-tip/piece of cotton/your finger and put it directly where it hurts. It will relieve the pain within 1-3 minutes and last about 2 hours.You can also add garlic powder to the mix, or even tea. Another trick is to chew on an onion.
Inactive
3 Sep 2015
Some home remedies are to put an asprin on the tooth/cavity or use clove oil. I can attest to the fact that clove oil did help me though it tastes just like you would expect it to taste. You also may want to try Oragel Extra Strength OTC at the drug store. Walmart may even carry it, matter of fact I think they do. You may find it either in the toothpaste aisle for adults or in the baby aisles somewhere. If it can make a teething baby stop crying it might just offer you enough comfort to make it through 8 hrs of sleep.
Litalutrese
16 Aug 2015
I don't know that's what I'm trying to find out.
Nick-Powell
15 Aug 2015
Swishing with a good whiskey is very effective for me. Or with salt, pepper, garlic juice, and warm water (it takes like chicken soup!) if you don't have whiskey or can't drink. Also taking Tylenol and ibuprofen simultaneously every 4 hours or so.
Shelly791979
30 Dec 2015
I'm fixing to try the swishing with whiskey, hopefully it works!
paul1226
30 July 2015
What is good for the psin around my teeth
ryan831
5 Aug 2015
I have had a tooth ache all day and taking pain med all day nothing was working for me. It really dose work there are presser points around your body that that realy do works its on your hand when you r looking at the top of your hand ✋
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pain, toothache, tooth infection
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