When a tooth starts hurting badly, your priority isn’t finding out exactly what caused it. You just want the pain to stop. A dental abscess can make that difficult. You may find yourself looking for abscess tooth pain relief, wondering whether a painkiller will be enough, or hoping the swelling will settle on its own.
There are things you can do to make yourself more comfortable while waiting for dental care. But there is an important distinction to understand: Pain relief can make an abscess easier to manage. It does not cure the infection. A dental abscess needs urgent assessment by a dentist and will not reliably go away without appropriate dental treatment.
What Is the Best Pain Relief for Tooth Abscess?
For adults who can safely take them, ibuprofen or paracetamol can help control dental pain. NHS guidance recommends these medicines for pain caused by a dental abscess. Which one is appropriate depends on your health, other medicines you take and whether you have any conditions that make a particular painkiller unsuitable.
Always follow the dosage instructions on the packet or leaflet. Taking more than the recommended amount will not make the pain disappear faster and can be dangerous. Paracetamol, in particular, is found in many different medicines, so check that you aren’t accidentally taking it from more than one source. If you’re unsure which painkiller is suitable for you, a pharmacist can advise you.
Can You Take Ibuprofen and Paracetamol Together for Abscess Tooth Relief?
Adults can take paracetamol and ibuprofen together when appropriate, but this isn’t suitable for everyone. NHS advice recommends checking that each medicine is suitable for you and following the instructions provided. A pharmacist can also advise you if you’re uncertain about combining painkillers.
Don’t take additional doses simply because the pain is severe. If recommended doses aren’t controlling the pain, that’s a reason to seek urgent dental care, not to exceed the instructions. Think you might need antibiotics for a dental abscess? Find out when antibiotics are actually recommended, which options dentists may prescribe and why they aren’t suitable for every abscess. Read our guide to antibiotics for a tooth abscess.
What Else Can Help an Abscessed Tooth Feel Better?
Medication isn’t the only way to make the next few hours more manageable. Try eating soft foods and chewing on the opposite side of your mouth. Very hot or very cold food and drinks can make dental pain more uncomfortable, so it may help to avoid them temporarily. A soft toothbrush can also make cleaning your teeth more comfortable. You don’t need to stop looking after your teeth because one area hurts. Gentle cleaning is still important.
Can Salt Water Help a Tooth Abscess?
A warm salt-water rinse may provide some temporary comfort when you have dental pain. The NHS recommends dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, rinsing your mouth with it and then spitting it out rather than swallowing it.
Think of this as a comfort measure rather than a treatment for the abscess itself. It won’t remove the source of the infection. Children should not be encouraged to rinse with salt water because they may swallow it.
Can You Put a Painkiller Directly on the Tooth?
No. It might seem logical to place a tablet against the painful tooth so the medicine can “work directly on it”, but this can damage the tissues inside your mouth. Painkillers should be taken as directed rather than placed against the gum or tooth. SDCEP specifically advises patients not to put tablets next to the affected area.
Can You Get a Painless Tooth Abscess?
Yes, you can get a tooth abscess but no pain. You may have swelling or another change around a tooth without experiencing the intense pain you expected. The absence of pain doesn’t mean that an infection has disappeared or that it doesn’t require attention.
This is particularly important if you’ve previously had pain that has suddenly stopped. A change in pain does not necessarily mean the underlying problem has resolved. If you suspect an abscess, arrange an urgent dental assessment even if it isn’t currently painful.
Can a Tooth Abscess Cure Itself?
A tooth abscess cannot be reliably cured with home remedies or painkillers. You might feel better temporarily. The swelling might change. An abscess may even drain, reducing the pressure in the area. But none of those changes necessarily mean the underlying infection has been dealt with. The NHS states that a dental abscess will not go away on its own and needs urgent dental treatment. So if you’re looking for a permanent tooth abscess cure, pain relief isn’t the answer. You need to have the source of the infection assessed by a dentist.
What Should You Do If the Painkillers Aren’t Working?
Don’t keep increasing the dose. If severe dental pain is affecting your sleep or normal activities and isn’t controlled by recommended painkillers, NHS guidance advises seeking urgent dental care.
Contact your dentist and explain that you have severe dental pain and suspect an abscess. If you cannot access an urgent NHS dental appointment in England, NHS 111 can advise you where to obtain urgent dental care.
When Does an Abscess Need Emergency Help?
There is a difference between urgent dental care and a medical emergency. If the swelling becomes severe and you are having difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing, go to A&E or call 999. The same applies to significant swelling in the mouth or swelling around the eye accompanied by vision problems. Don’t wait for pain relief to take effect in these circumstances. These symptoms can indicate that the infection is affecting areas where it could become dangerous.
The Bottom Line on Dental Abscess Relief
There are sensible ways to manage dental pain temporarily: appropriate painkillers, softer foods, avoiding very hot or cold food and drinks, and gentle oral hygiene can all make things more comfortable while you’re waiting for care. But relief isn’t a cure. If you think you have a dental abscess, arrange an urgent dental assessment. The sooner the source of the infection is identified, the sooner you can move from simply managing the pain to properly addressing the problem.
