My gets hurts so bad. Nothing works
Executive summary
If your tooth hurts “so bad” and over‑the‑counter measures haven’t worked, short‑term home remedies that reduce inflammation and numb the area can help while you arrange professional care; common options include ibuprofen or naproxen for inflammation, topical benzocaine gels, salt‑water rinses, cold compresses and clove oil [1] [2] [3] [4]. All sources agree these are temporary fixes and that persistent, severe, or swelling‑associated pain requires prompt dental evaluation because home treatments don’t fix the underlying cause [5] [2] [6].
1. Pain relief that actually reduces inflammation — start with NSAIDs
If nothing is working, consider an anti‑inflammatory oral analgesic: ibuprofen or naproxen are repeatedly recommended because they both reduce pain and the inflammation that often amplifies toothache, whereas acetaminophen relieves pain without the same anti‑inflammatory effect [1]. WebMD and Verywell note OTC analgesics are safe when used at recommended doses but warn against overuse and long‑term reliance; follow label dosing and check with a pharmacist or clinician if you have health conditions or take other drugs [2] [1].
2. Topical numbing gives fast, predictable short‑term relief
Topical gels or creams containing benzocaine (brands like Orajel or Anbesol) can numb the gums and provide quick but temporary relief; some natural clove preparations can have benzocaine‑like effects because clove oil contains eugenol, an anesthetic and antibacterial compound [1] [7]. WebMD cautions topical agents may have side effects and are only short‑term measures while you arrange dental care [2].
3. Home rinses and compresses: cheap, low‑risk, immediate comfort
Salt‑water rinses, cold compresses on the cheek, and hydrogen peroxide rinses are commonly recommended first‑aid steps to reduce inflammation, clear debris, and slow bacterial growth; many dental sites list these as safe interim measures [3] [4] [8]. Cleveland Clinic and Verywell emphasize these help “until you can see a dentist” and often only provide mild relief, not a cure [9] [4].
4. Popular natural remedies work for some people — but results vary
Clove oil, garlic, chamomile, aloe and numerous herbal or essential oil preparations are repeatedly suggested across dental and clinic blogs; clove oil is the most consistently supported due to eugenol’s numbing/antibacterial effects [10] [7] [5]. However, sources also note variability in effectiveness and potential irritation or side effects from concentrated essential oils — they are stopgaps, not treatments [4] [2].
5. When “nothing works” signals danger — red flags to act on now
If pain is severe, persistent beyond a day or two, accompanied by fever, facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or spreading redness, all sources instruct you to seek immediate professional care or an emergency room — these signs suggest abscess or systemic infection that home remedies cannot fix [5] [6] [2]. The Mayo Clinic and Colgate stress toothache often indicates decay, infection, a cracked tooth, or gum disease — conditions needing dental intervention [6] [5].
6. What dentists will likely do that home remedies cannot
Available sources explain that a dentist will diagnose the cause—cavity, abscess, fractured tooth, gum disease, impacted tooth—and provide definitive treatments such as fillings, root canals, extractions, or antibiotics when infection is present; home measures do not remove infected tissue or repair structural damage [5] [6] [9]. If you’ve already tried analgesics and topical agents without relief, a dental visit is the only path to durable resolution [5].
7. Practical step‑by‑step plan you can use now
Try a prudent combo: take an NSAID at recommended dose (if safe for you) for inflammation [1], rinse with warm salt water several times an hour and use a cold compress externally for 10–20 minutes [3] [4], apply diluted clove oil to a cotton ball for local numbing if available [7], and contact a dentist same day or emergency care if pain persists or you have swelling/fever [5] [6].
Limitations and source context: these recommendations synthesize dental and medical consumer materials (Verywell, Healthline, WebMD, Colgate, Mayo Clinic and others in the provided set). They reflect widely cited first‑aid measures and consistent professional caution that home remedies are temporary and do not substitute for dental diagnosis and treatment [1] [2] [5] [6]. If you want, I can pull exact dosing guidance from any single source above or draft language to use when calling an emergency dental office.