Non-urgent advice: See a dentist if you have toothache:

that lasts more than 2 days
that does not go away when you take painkillers
with a high temperature, pain when you bite, red gums, or a bad taste in your mouth
and your cheek or jaw is swollen

Do not go to your GP as they will not be able to give you dental treatment.

Immediate action required: Go to A&E if you have toothache and:

the area around your eye or your neck is swollen
swelling in your mouth or neck is making it difficult for you to breathe, swallow or speak

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring any medicines you take with you.

To see a dentist in an emergency or out of hours:

call your dentist – if they're closed, their answerphone may tell you what to do

If you do not have a dentist or cannot get an emergency appointment:

You may have to pay for your appointment.

Find out more about NHS dental charges.

take painkillers, like ibuprofen or paracetamol (children under 16 should not take aspirin) – a pharmacist can advise you
use a pain-relieving gel for your mouth – this can be bought from pharmacies or supermarkets
try rinsing your mouth with salt water (children should not try this)
eat soft foods, like yoghurt or scrambled eggs, and try to avoid chewing with the sore tooth
use a soft toothbrush and avoid flossing around the sore tooth

Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water – warm water helps salt dissolve.
Rinse your mouth with the solution, then spit it out – do not swallow it.
Repeat as often as you like

Children should not try rinsing their mouth with salt water in case they swallow it.

Toothache can be caused by:

tooth decay
a dental abscess
a cracked or damaged tooth
a loose or broken filling
an infection – this often happens when a tooth (such as a wisdom tooth) has broken the skin, but does not have enough room to fully come through
problems with your braces
gum disease
grinding your teeth

Tooth pain can also be caused by having sensitive teeth.

The best way to prevent toothache is to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.

To do this:

have regular dental check-ups
cut down on sugary foods and drinks – only have them as an occasional treat at mealtimes
brush your teeth twice a day for about 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste
clean between your teeth using floss or an interdental brush every day to remove food, debris and plaque

Page last reviewed: 01 July 2024
Next review due: 01 July 2027