Rinse with warm salt water, gently floss around the tooth, take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label, and use a cold compress on your cheek. Call a dentist the same day if the pain is severe, lasts more than a day or two, or comes with swelling or fever. In Katy, AEI Dental offers a $50 emergency exam with x-rays: (281) 394-9988.
Steps that can help right now
- Rinse with warm salt water (about half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) to clean the area and soothe the gums.
- Floss gently around the sore tooth. Trapped food is a surprisingly common cause of pain.
- Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek for 15–20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever exactly as the label directs, if it’s safe for you.
- Keep your head elevated when lying down; throbbing pain is often worse lying flat.
What not to do
- Don’t put aspirin or other tablets directly on the gum.
- Don’t chew on the painful side or eat very hot, cold, or sugary foods.
- Don’t ignore pain that keeps coming back. It is a sign something needs treatment.
Common causes of tooth pain
The most common causes are a cavity that has reached the inner layer of the tooth, a cracked tooth, a lost filling, gum infection, or an abscess (a pocket of infection at the root). Some of these can be fixed with a simple filling; others may need a root canal. An exam and x-rays are the only way to know which.
Getting seen in Katy
AEI Dental’s $50 Emergency Exam includes an exam and the x-rays needed to find the cause. We’re at 24441 Katy Freeway, Suite 200, open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 10am–6pm, with Saturday visits by appointment.
Common questions
Can a toothache go away on its own?
Pain from mild gum irritation or food stuck between teeth can fade once the cause is removed. Pain from a cavity, crack, or infection usually returns or gets worse, even if it stops for a while, because the underlying problem is still there.
Should I put aspirin directly on my gum?
No. Placing aspirin against the gum can burn the tissue. Swallow pain relievers as directed on the label instead.
When is a toothache an emergency?
Go to the ER or call 911 if swelling affects your breathing or swallowing, or you have a high fever with facial swelling. Call a dentist the same day for severe pain, swelling in the gum or face, or pain after an injury.
Last updated November 13, 2026 · AEI Dental, Katy, TX