Safe first aid for tooth pain
Start with gentle home care and arrange a dentist visit as soon as you can. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling toward the eye or neck, or bleeding that will not stop, call 911 or go to the ER now.
What to do right now
- Rinse gently with warm salt water if you can. This can help clean the area.
- Put a cold compress on the cheek for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
- If a tooth was knocked out, handle it by the crown, not the root, and keep it in milk.
- Use over-the-counter pain relief only as directed on the label, if it is safe for you.
- Call a licensed dentist as soon as you can. SteadyTooth can help you find a nearby emergency dentist, and you only share contact details — no medical information needed.
What is safe to try at home
Tooth pain can come from many causes. Home care is only a short-term way to stay more comfortable until a dentist can check the problem.
A warm salt-water rinse may help soothe the mouth. A cold compress can help with swelling and pain on the outside of the cheek. Try to rest with your head raised a little if that feels better.
If you want help finding care, you can use get matched or read more in our guides.
What to avoid
Do not put aspirin, alcohol, or other home remedies directly on the gum or tooth. That can burn the tissue or make things worse.
Do not chew on the sore side if you can help it. Try to avoid very hot, very cold, sweet, or hard foods if they trigger pain.
Do not ignore spreading swelling or a fever. Those can be signs you need urgent care from a dentist or doctor, and sometimes the ER.
When it is an emergency
Some tooth problems need immediate medical help, not just a dental visit.
Call 911 or go to the ER now if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or uncontrolled bleeding.
If the pain is severe, if you have an abscess or broken tooth, or if the swelling is getting worse, try to see a licensed dentist urgently. If you are not sure where to start, you can check nearby options through symptoms and get matched.
How SteadyTooth fits in
SteadyTooth is a free service that helps people in the United States find emergency dental care. You give us contact details only — no medical information needed — and we help connect you with a dentist near you.
We are not a dentist or medical provider. We do not diagnose the problem, and we cannot promise a certain outcome, price, or wait time.
Dental coverage and emergency rules vary by state, and costs can vary by dentist and city. If you want to learn more about possible cost ranges, see costs.
Rinse gently, use a cold compress, avoid putting anything harsh on the tooth, and see a dentist as soon as you can.
SteadyTooth is a free matching service, not a dental provider or medical service, and does not give medical or dental advice or a diagnosis. The information here is general and educational. In a life-threatening emergency — trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or uncontrolled bleeding — call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Costs and care vary by case, dentist, city, and state; always confirm details directly with a licensed dentist.
Common questions
What can I do at home for tooth pain tonight?
A gentle warm salt-water rinse, a cold compress on the cheek, and over-the-counter pain relief used exactly as the label says are common short-term steps. Then see a licensed dentist as soon as you can.
What should I not put on a painful tooth?
Do not put aspirin, alcohol, or other home remedies directly on the tooth or gum. They can irritate or burn the tissue.
When is tooth pain an emergency?
If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or bleeding that will not stop, call 911 or go to the ER. Worsening swelling, severe pain, or a knocked-out tooth also needs urgent dental care.
What if my tooth was knocked out?
Handle it by the crown, not the root, and keep it in milk if you can. Get to a dentist right away, because time matters.
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