Toothache (Dant Dard): Causes, Home Relief and When to See a Dentist

Toothache never picks a convenient time. It usually starts at night, when the clinic is closed and the pain feels ten times worse. Whether it is a sharp stab when you drink chai, a dull throb that keeps you awake, or a swollen cheek, a bad tooth (dant dard) can ruin a whole day.

This guide covers the common causes, what you can safely do at home until you reach a dentist, which pharmacy products help, and the warning signs of a dental infection that cannot wait.

Why does a tooth hurt?

• Cavities (dant ka keera): decay eats through the enamel and reaches the nerve. This is the most common cause.
• Sensitive teeth: sharp, brief pain with hot, cold or sweet things, caused by worn enamel or receding gums.
• Gum disease: red, swollen, bleeding gums around a tooth.
• Cracked or broken tooth: pain when you bite down or release the bite.
• Dental abscess: a pocket of pus at the root, with throbbing pain, swelling and sometimes fever.
• Wisdom tooth trouble: pain at the back of the jaw when a tooth is coming in at an angle.
• Teeth grinding: a dull ache in the morning, often from stress.
• Sinus infection: upper back teeth can ache when the sinuses are blocked.

What you can do at home tonight

• Rinse with warm salt water. It cleans the area and can ease swelling. Spit it out, do not swallow.
• Clean gently between the teeth with floss to remove any food stuck around the sore tooth.
• Use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek for fifteen minutes at a time. This helps if there is swelling.
• Sleep with your head raised. Lying flat sends more blood to the head and makes throbbing worse.
• Avoid very hot, cold or sugary food, and chew on the other side.
• Clove (laung) is a traditional remedy. A tiny amount of clove oil on a cotton bud, kept away from the gum, can numb the area for a while. Do not use much, because it can burn the gum, and never give it to young children.

Pain relief

A simple painkiller can help you sleep until the dentist opens. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are the most common choices. Follow the directions on the pack, avoid ibuprofen if you have a stomach ulcer, asthma, kidney problems or are pregnant unless your doctor says it is fine, and never combine two products with the same ingredient.

One old habit to drop: do not place an aspirin tablet against the gum. It burns the soft tissue and can leave a painful sore.

Toothpaste and rinses that help

• If cold and hot drinks cause a sharp zing, sensitive-teeth toothpastes can help over a couple of weeks of regular use. Options include Sensodyne Rapid Action, Sensodyne Cavity and Sendodyn Rapid.
• For a clove-flavoured everyday paste, Sparkle Clove Tooth Paste is a budget choice.
• An antiseptic mouthwash such as Dentisept Mouth Wash helps keep the mouth clean when brushing around a sore tooth hurts. Mouthwash does not treat a cavity or abscess.

You can see more in our oral care range.

Signs of a dental infection: do not wait

See a dentist the same day, or go to the emergency department, if you have:

• Swelling of the face, cheek or jaw.
• Fever with tooth pain.
• A bad taste, or pus coming from around the tooth.
• Trouble opening your mouth, swallowing or breathing.
• Pain that lasts more than a day or two, even if painkillers help.

Swelling that spreads to the neck or makes breathing hard is an emergency. Do not wait for the morning.

People with diabetes, a weak immune system or heart valve problems should be extra quick to get dental infections treated.

Toothache in children

Children often have cavities in milk teeth, and these can hurt as much as adult teeth. Do not give aspirin to children. Use child-appropriate paracetamol per the pack, and see a dentist soon. If your child has a fever as well, our guide on fever in children explains what to check.

How to avoid toothache

• Brush twice a day for two minutes, and floss once a day.
• Cut down on sweets, sugary chai and fizzy drinks, especially between meals.
• Visit a dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning.
• Avoid using teeth to open bottles or crack hard shells.
• Stop paan, gutka, naswar and smoking. They damage gums and teeth and raise the risk of oral cancer.

Frequently asked questions

Will a toothache go away on its own?

Pain may ease for a while, but the cause stays. A cavity or infection does not heal by itself, and it will return worse.

Can I take antibiotics for a toothache?

Only if a dentist or doctor prescribes them. Antibiotics do not fix a cavity, and taking them without advice contributes to resistance.

Why is tooth pain worse at night?

When you lie down, more blood flows to your head, and there are fewer distractions. That is why the pain feels stronger.

Is it safe to pull a tooth at home?

No. It risks bleeding, infection and broken roots. Always see a dentist.

Order sensitive-tooth pastes, rinses and pain relief from Khasmart, with delivery across Pakistan.

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your dentist, doctor or pharmacist. It does not include dosage; always follow the directions on the pack or from your doctor.