Dental decay is the most probable cause of aching teeth, states the National Institutes of Health. If your toothache is due to a forming cavity or an abscessed tooth, you'll likely need professional dental work done to fix your problem. However, there are some home remedies that may make you more comfortable while you count down the minutes to your appointment with your dentist.
Rinse and Floss
First, rinse with warm water to clean your mouth, advises the American Dental Association (ADA). Alternately, you can swish with salt water after you eat and before bed, says the "Doctors Book of Home Remedies." Simply mix a teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of warm water. To make sure there aren't any particles of food trapped between your teeth, gently slide a piece of dental floss around the affected tooth or use an interdental cleaner.
Pain Control
One folk remedy for toothache is putting an aspirin on the troublesome tooth, however Mayo Clinic experts say this is a bad idea, as directly applying aspiring or any other pain reliever onto your gums can burn them. You may take nonprescription pain relievers if this helps, however. Safer topicals to use include over-the-counter products that contain benzocaine. If you want to take the natural route, use clove oil instead.
Treat Toothaches Tenderly
Sometimes it's not what you do for a toothache that matters, but what you avoid. The "Doctors Book of Home Remedies" advises to be careful not to chew food in the problem area of your mouth. If contact with air seems to make the toothache worse, simply keep your mouth closed as much as you can.
Call Your Dentist
If your toothache lingers beyond one or two days, contact your dentist, advises the Mayo Clinic. You should also schedule an appointment if you notice other symptoms, such as fever, swelling, pain while chewing, inflamed gums, a rancid-tasting discharge, or difficulty breathing and swallowing.
