How to Stop Root Canal Pain

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson | Medically reviewed by Alina Lane, DDS

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

It's easy to think of teeth as simply being bones, but they're more than that. Your teeth are made of multi-layered hardened tissue and are buried in your gums. Enamel and dentin are made up of minerals that protect the inside of your teeth (the pulp). This inner part of the teeth contains sensitive nerves and blood supply. Unfortunately, bacteria can damage the protective coverings (through a process called demineralization). Demineralization can lead to infection, inflammation and cavities. Your dentist may recommend a root canal to clean the area and relieve the pain.

Things You Should Know

Your tooth might be a little tender or sensitive, but it is usually atypical for the tooth to actively hurt after a root canal and you should contact the dentist or endodontist if it hurts.
Hold an ice pack against your cheek where the tooth is bothering you to sooth any irritation that you’re experiencing.
If your dentist didn’t prescribe you anything for the pain, feel free to take some ibuprofen or acetaminophen to take the edge off.
If your tooth starts to ache, mix ½ teaspoon (5.6 g) of sea salt with 4 ounces (118 mL) of warm water and swish it around in your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out.
If you’re struggling to sleep at night because your mouth feels funny, prop your head up with some extra pillows; the elevation should keep your gums and nerves from throbbing.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Treating Pain at Home

1
Take pain medication. Your dentist may prescribe a pain reliever for you to take after the root canal. If not, or if the pain is only minimal, take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen according to the manufacturer's instructions.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Alina Lane, DDS
Board Certified Dentist
Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.}
- Although you'll be given pain medication during the root canal, you should take the OTC pain relievers within an hour after the root canal. This will give them a chance to start working before your anesthesia wears off.^{[2]
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  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  Go to source}
2
Use ice to relieve pain. Ice can temporarily numb the pain from your tooth. Place an ice cube or crushed ice on the tooth (as long as it's not sensitive to cold). Keep it there until you no longer feel pain or the ice melts. Or, place an ice pack over the side of your face for 10 minutes to help minimize any swelling.
- Never apply an ice pack directly to your skin. Make sure it is wrapped in a cloth, like a towel or a t-shirt, to prevent frostbite.
- You can also make a compress to set over the tooth. Crush ice and put it in a balloon or in the cut-off finger of a non-latex glove. Tie off the end and set the compress over the tooth.
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3
Use a saltwater solution.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Alina Lane, DDS
Board Certified Dentist
Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.} Relieve toothache by dissolving 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt in 4 ounces (118 mL) of warm water. Place some of this solution in your mouth and hold it over the painful tooth for 30 seconds to one minute. Spit out the solution and repeat this two to three times. Rinse out your mouth with warm water. You can do this up to three or four times a day, just don't swallow the saltwater.
- You can also use a vinegar solution. Mix ¼ cup of warm water and apple cider vinegar and keep it in your mouth over the painful tooth, just like the saltwater solution.
- Try to avoid any alcohol consumption or even holding alcohol in your mouth, as it will produce dehydration of your mucosa and gums.
4
Bite down on a fruit or vegetable. Chill a slice of fresh ginger, cucumber, or raw potato and place it over your painful tooth. Or, you can freeze slices of banana, apple, mango, guava or pineapple and place the slices on your aching tooth. The cool fruit or vegetables can numb the pain.
- You can also try cutting a piece of onion or garlic to place directly over your tooth. Bite down gently to release the juice. Just remember to use a breath mint after this home remedy.
- Eating ice cream may also reduce pain, especially if you feel a pulsating pain.
5
Make a tea compress. Take an herbal tea sachet or dip a clean cotton cloth in warm herbal tea.^{[4]
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Research source} Set the cloth or sachet over your painful tooth and leave it there for five minutes. Do this two or three times a day. Use one of these teas:
- Goldenseal
- Echinacea^{[5]
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  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
- Sage (which can also treat gingivitis)^{[6]
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  Research source}
- Green or black (which can prevent oral cancer and cavities)^{[7]
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  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
6
Apply an asafetida paste. Take ¼ teaspoon of asafetida powder and mix it with enough fresh lemon juice to make a paste. Apply this directly onto the tooth. The lemon juice will help hide the bitter taste and unpleasant odor. Leave the paste on for five minutes before rinsing out your mouth. Repeat this two to three times a day.
- Asafetida is a fennel-like plant that's usually used as a cooking spice in Indian foods. It comes as a powdered resin or as a lump of resin and can be found in Indian stores and markets.
7
Use a heat pack. Some people find that moist heat can help relieve pain the day after your root canal. You can place either a small piece of cloth soaked in warm water or use a cloth soaked in an herbal tea directly on the tooth. Leave it on until the cloth is no longer warm. Repeat this three or four times a day.
- You can also try baby teething gels. These contain a local anesthetic that may relieve the pain. Keep in mind that these gels aren't antimicrobial and won’t treat any infection.
8
Know when to contact your dentist. If you've tried several of these treatments, but find that you feel severe pain even a few days after your root canal, call your dentist. You should also get in touch with your dentist if you notice pressure that lasts several days following your root canal.^{[8]
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- Your dentist can prescribe pain relief medication if over-the-counter medications aren't reducing your pain.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Practicing Good Dental Hygiene

1
Brush your teeth correctly. Brush your teeth and gums at least twice a day.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Alina Lane, DDS
Board Certified Dentist
Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.} Once you've brushed the teeth using a toothpaste, spit out the foam but don't rinse your mouth. This gives your teeth a chance to absorb the minerals from the toothpaste. Don't forget to brush your tongue too.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Use a soft toothbrush since you can damage your teeth by brushing with hard bristles or by scrubbing too hard.
2
Floss every day.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Alina Lane, DDS
Board Certified Dentist
Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.} Unwind about 18 inches (46 cm) of floss, winding most of it around the middle finger of one hand. Wind the rest around the middle finger of your other hand. Hold the floss firmly between your thumb and your forefinger. Gently guide the floss between all of your teeth using a gently back and forth motion, curving the floss around the bottom of each tooth.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Joseph Whitehouse, MA, DDS
Board Certified Dentist
Expert Interview. 9 April 2020.}
- Try to floss as deep as possible under your gum to remove any food particles or remaining bacteria.
- Don't forget to gently rub up and down the sides of each tooth once the floss is between the teeth.
- An oral irrigator may be helpful to remove debris that you miss when flossing.
3
Massage your gums or erupting teeth. Use a clean finger and gently rub gums or the top of the tooth that's breaking through the gums. Be gentle and massage your gums three or four times a day. You can also massage your gums with an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial oil that can reduce swelling and relieve pain. Try using a few drops of:
- Warm olive oil
- Warm vanilla extract
- Tea tree essential oil^{[13]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
- Clove essential oil^{[14]
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  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
- Peppermint essential oil^{[15]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
- Cinnamon essential oil^{[16]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
- Sage essential oil
- Goldenseal essential oil
4
See your dentist. You should visit your dentist and have your teeth professionally cleaned at least once a year.^{[17]
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Expert Source

Alina Lane, DDS
Board Certified Dentist
Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.} Get more frequent cleanings if you smoke, have heart disease, or have diabetes since these are linked to dental health.^{[18]
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Research source}
- If you notice pain, bad breath, difficulty swallowing, jaw, gum or mouth swelling or fever, call your dentist right away.
5
Replace your toothbrush. If your toothbrush bristles are fraying, it's time to replace the brush before it starts damaging your teeth. Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush at least once every three or four months (sooner if the bristles become frayed).^{[19]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Store your toothbrush in a clean open place. Avoid using closed containers since this can cause bacteria to grow on the brush.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Understanding a Root Canal

1
Recognize the risk factors. Sometimes the nerve in your tooth might just die. Or, you have a cracked or chipped tooth that leads to tooth decay in the tissue within your tooth. These may be caused by an injury to the tooth. When your tooth is injured, inflamed, or suffers nerve death, your tooth will struggle to heal itself.
- If you've had a root canal before that didn't completely clean the tissue or if you didn't get a permanent filling over the root canal, you may need another procedure.
2
Consider your symptoms. If you're experiencing pain, sensitivity to either hot or cold (sometimes both), tenderness, swelling, or discoloration of the tooth, talk with your dentist. These may be caused by inflamed tissue or infection within your tooth.^{[20]
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Research source} They may also be caused by a neighboring tooth and not the tooth you suspect is causing the issue. Don’t wait more than a week to talk to your dentist.
- Some people don't have any symptoms of inflammation or infection, but still need root canals.
3
Know what to expect during a root canal. A dental specialist (endodontist) will clean out the inflamed or infected part of your tooth's root. A filling made of a rubbery material (gutta-percha) or a crown restores your tooth. You'll be given a local anesthetic during the root canal, so the procedure shouldn't be painful.^{[21]
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- Your tooth may feel strange or sensitive following the root canal. If you have severe pain or pressure, call your dentist.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I help my gums heal after a tooth extraction?

Joseph Whitehouse, MA, DDS
Board Certified Dentist
Dr. Joseph Whitehouse is a board certified Dentist and the Former President of the World Congress on Minimally Invasive Dentistry (WCMID). Based in Castro Valley, California, Dr. Whitehouse has over 46 years of dental experience and counseling experience. He has held fellowships with the International Congress of Oral Implantology and with the WCMID. Published over 20 times in medical journals, Dr. Whitehouse's research is focused on mitigating fear and apprehension patients associate with dental care. Dr. Whitehouse earned a DDS from the University of Iowa in 1970. He also earned an MA in Counseling Psychology from California State University Hayward in 1988.

Joseph Whitehouse, MA, DDS

Board Certified Dentist

Expert Answer

Your dentist will give you specific instructions based on your personal history, but for most people, you'll have to keep a piece of gauze in your mouth for 20 minutes. Then, you remove the gauze and replace it with a fresh piece. After 20 minutes, replace the gauze again if the second piece was bloody. Continue doing this until the bleeding stops.