• To treat a broken tooth with an exposed nerve, see a dentist as soon as possible.
  • Home remedies can help relieve pain, but are not a substitute for dental treatment.
  • If a broken tooth is left untreated, it can lead to infection and affect other organs in the body.

  • Do not postpone a visit to a dentist. Find urgent dental care services on Authority Dental.

Are you suffering from the pain of a broken tooth? Here's everything you need to know.

How to manage pain from a broken tooth at home

To get relief from the pain caused by a broken tooth at home, you can try pharmacological products and home remedies. Do not postpone seeing a doctor even if your pain seems to subside.

Pain medication

You can use over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to manage your pain. 

If the pain is severe and keeps you up at night, take 600 mg ibuprofen and 650 mg acetaminophen every 4-6 hours to help with the pain. Adults should not take more than 3200 mg ibuprofen or 3000 mg acetaminophen in a 24 hour period. 

If you are unsure about whether or not you can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen, make sure to talk to your doctor before taking these medications.

Do not apply medications for internal use directly to the affected area. This can be dangerous, even if the medicine is in the form of syrup.

OTC dental anesthetics

Over the counter dental anesthetics such as Orajel can help to reduce pain. Dental anesthetics are topical products. You can apply such a cream or gel directly to the injured area.

Some of these medicines contain benzocaine. Note that this substance can be very dangerous for young children.

Sensitivity toothpaste

Apply a pea-sized amount of sensitivity toothpaste such as Sensodyne on the tooth that’s causing you pain. Do not brush the toothpaste off and do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes afterwards

Flossing

Flossing helps you remove food debris that puts pressure on the damaged tooth. Without this pressure, you may get some temporary pain relief. 

Remember that food particles feed the bacteria in your oral cavity. When you floss, you minimize the risk of infection of a vulnerable damaged tooth.

Rinsing with warm salt water

Rinsing with warm salt water is another simple and effective way to provide mild pain relieve and soreness in the mouth. This can be done as many times a day as needed.

Peppermint tea bag

Place a peppermint tea bag in warm water for 5 minutes and then place it on the area of the chipped tooth. Make sure the tea bag is not too hot. 

Sleeping with head elevated

Sleeping on your side with the head elevated helps reduce swelling of the soft tissue around the broken tooth. This, in turn, reduces pressure and pain.

For sleeping on your side, a single pillow is sufficient. If you prefer to sleep on your back, you should use more pillows.

FAQ

Will pain from a broken tooth go away on its own?

It may disappear briefly when the nerve of the tooth dies. However, you may still experience pain due to the pressure on the periodontal membrane located under the root. If the tooth is not treated, the infection from the tooth will grow and the tooth will eventually start to hurt again. If left untreated for long enough, the bacteria causing the infection can even enter the bloodstream and affect other organs.

What is the best painkiller for tooth nerve pain?

The best at-home remedy for tooth pain is to take 600 mg ibuprofen and 650 mg acetaminophen every 4-6 hours to help with the pain. Adults should not take more than 3200 mg ibuprofen or 3000 mg acetaminophen in a 24 hour period.

How to know if your broken tooth has exposed nerves?

Severe pain usually accompanies nerve exposure. Cold foods and drinks often cause sharp pain in the tooth, but hot foods and biting down on the tooth can also cause significant pain. The pain will likely keep you up at night as it progresses, so it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible.