Things that can help today
- Avoid the sore side (you’re already doing this 👍).
- Rinse gently with warm salt water (½ tsp salt in a cup of warm water) 2–3×/day.
- Cold compress on the outside of your cheek (10–15 min at a time) to calm inflammation.
- Pain relief: OTC meds like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help if you normally tolerate them (follow the label).
- Soft foods only: soup, yogurt, eggs, mashed potatoes, smoothies (not too cold), oatmeal.
- Brush & floss gently around the area—don’t skip it, but be careful.
- Avoid triggers: super cold, hot, sugary, or hard foods.
What not to do
- Don’t chew on it “to test it.”
- Don’t put aspirin directly on the tooth or gums (that can burn tissue).
- Don’t ignore swelling or worsening pain.
Signs you should see a dentist ASAP
- Pain lasting more than 1–2 days
- Swelling in your face or gums
- Throbbing pain, pressure, or pain that wakes you up
- Fever, bad taste, or pus
- Pain when biting down (could mean a crack or infection)
Tooth pain usually means something real is going on such as cavity, cracked tooth, gum infection, or exposed nerve and home care is just a temporary patch.
