What Kills a Toothache Instantly?

There are many toothache remedies to instantly relieve pain, which include cold compresses, hot packs, over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), pain-relieving oral gel, salt water rinse, garlic, peppermint tea bags, clove oil, homemade thyme mouthwash, and acupuncture.

You may be able to kill a toothache instantly, but the only way to get rid of a toothache completely is for a dentist to diagnose the cause and to prescribe the proper treatment. See a dentist as soon as possible if you have a toothache. 

Toothache Home Remedies

Home remedies can help kill the pain of a toothache quickly while waiting for a dentist appointment, such as:

• Apply cold compresses or ice packs/cold gel packs wrapped in a towel
• Apply a hot pack applied to the cheek over the painful area 
• Take over-the-counter (OTC) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) for pain and inflammation
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
  • Naproxen (Aleve)
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 
• Try pain-relieving oral gel
• Rinse with salt water
• Rinse with a guava mouthwash
  • Boil crushed guava leaves in water to make a mouthwash or chew on fresh guava leaves to help clean the mouth if an infection is present and help heal oral wounds
• Garlic
  • Crush a garlic clove into a sticky paste and apply it to the affected area for pain relief, or chew a clove of fresh garlic and spit it out
• Peppermint tea bags
  • These have mild numbing properties and may be applied while warm or cold
• Clove oil
  • Can reduce inflammation and has numbing properties 
  • Apply a small amount of the oil to a clean cotton ball and dab it on the affected area
• Rinse with homemade thyme mouthwash
  • Add a few drops of thyme essential oil to water to make a mouthwash
• Research acupressure points
  • Several reported acupressure points may be used to help relieve toothache