You can use a few over‑the‑counter meds and home remedies for short‑term toothache relief, but you still need to see a dentist as soon as you can because most toothaches mean something is wrong (like decay, infection, or a cracked tooth).

First: when to call a dentist or urgent care

Contact a dentist immediately (or urgent/emergency care) if you have:

  • Swelling in your face, jaw, or under the eye
  • Fever, feeling unwell, trouble swallowing, or trouble breathing
  • Very severe, throbbing pain that doesn’t ease with painkillers
  • Trauma (you were hit in the face, tooth broken, tooth knocked loose)
  • Pain that lasts more than 1–2 days, even if it comes and goes

These can be signs of a spreading infection, which can be dangerous if not treated quickly.

What you can take for toothache (medications)

Always follow the label and your doctor/pharmacist’s advice, and avoid these if you’re allergic, pregnant without medical advice, have stomach, kidney, liver, bleeding, or heart problems, or are on blood thinners. Common options mentioned by dentists and medical sources:

  • Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
    • For many adults, this is safe when taken as directed and can reduce pain and fever.
  • Ibuprofen (if you can safely take anti‑inflammatories)
    • Helps with both pain and inflammation in the tooth and surrounding gums.
* Take with food and avoid if you have certain stomach, kidney, bleeding, or heart issues.
  • Alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen
    • Some dentists recommend alternating doses (not exceeding the maximum daily dose of either) for stronger pain control, but you should check with a professional or pharmacist first, especially for children.
  • Topical dental gels or drops
    • Gels containing local anesthetics (like lidocaine/benzocaine) can temporarily numb the gum around the painful tooth.
* These are short‑acting and should not be overused, especially in children.

Important safety notes:

  • Do not put crushed aspirin directly on the tooth or gums; it can burn the tissue and doesn’t help the tooth.
  • Antibiotics are not something you should “take for a toothache” on your own; they are only useful in specific infections and must be prescribed by a dentist or doctor.

What you can do at home (short‑term relief)

These do not fix the cause but can make things more bearable until you’re seen.

1. Saltwater rinse

  • Mix about 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water, swish around the sore area for 30 seconds, then spit (don’t swallow).
  • Helps clean the area, wash out food, and reduce mild inflammation.

2. Cold compress on the cheek

  • Wrap ice or a cold pack in a cloth and hold it against the cheek on the painful side for about 15–20 minutes at a time.
  • Can reduce swelling and numb the pain briefly.

3. Gentle cleaning

  • Carefully brush and floss around the area to remove stuck food that might be making it worse.

4. Clove oil (traditional but commonly used)

  • Clove oil contains eugenol, which can have a numbing and antibacterial effect.
  • A tiny amount on a cotton bud/cotton ball placed on the sore tooth or gum for a short time can give temporary relief.
  • Don’t swallow it or soak the area with large amounts—too much can irritate tissue.

5. Peppermint tea bag or herbal rinses

  • A cooled peppermint tea bag held gently against the gum can soothe some people because peppermint has mild numbing and antibacterial properties.
  • Other herbal rinses (thyme, guava leaves, etc.) are used traditionally in some places, but evidence is limited; use them only as mild adjuncts, not instead of seeing a dentist.

Things to avoid

  • Do not put pure essential oils, undiluted alcohol, or very hot liquids in your mouth; they can burn or irritate tissues.
  • Avoid chewing on the sore side and avoid very sugary, very cold, or very hot foods and drinks that can trigger pain.
  • Don’t delay professional care just because the pain has eased; infections and decay often come back worse.

Why “what can I take for a toothache” is trending

Recently, more people search and post in forums about “what can I take for a toothache” because:

  • Dental appointments can be hard to get quickly in some areas, leading people to look for at‑home relief and “emergency hacks” online.
  • Newer blog posts and clinic articles (reviewed up to 2025–2026) keep emphasizing that home remedies are only temporary and that early professional treatment is key to prevent serious infections.

You’ll often see people recommend saltwater rinses, ibuprofen plus paracetamol, clove oil, and cold compresses, but professionals repeatedly stress: if the pain is more than mild or lasts over a day or two, you need an actual dental diagnosis.

Quick mini‑story to put it in perspective

Someone wakes up at 2 a.m. with a throbbing molar.
They rinse with warm salt water, take ibuprofen plus paracetamol within safe limits, and hold a cold pack to their cheek.
The pain drops from an 8/10 to a 3/10—enough to sleep a bit—but by the next afternoon, it’s back.
They finally see a dentist, who finds a deep cavity close to the nerve and starts treatment.
The home remedies helped them get through the night, but only the dental work actually solved the problem.

TL;DR – what you can take right now

  • Take paracetamol (acetaminophen) and, if safe for you, ibuprofen, following label doses or pharmacist/dentist advice.
  • Use a warm saltwater rinse, gentle cleaning, and a cold compress on the cheek.
  • Optionally, try a tiny amount of clove oil or a cooled peppermint tea bag for brief numbing.
  • Then arrange a dental appointment as soon as possible—especially if the pain is strong, persistent, or associated with swelling or fever.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.