The toothache treatment options depend primarily on the cause of the tooth pain, which can only be determined by a dentist. If your dentist determines a cavity is causing your discomfort, you will need to have the cavity filled or the tooth extracted. If the tooth’s nerve is infected, you may need antibiotics and/or a root canal. A root canal is a dental procedure that removes the infected pulp of a tooth—the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth—then cleans and seals the tooth.
There are things you can do at home to treat your tooth pain while you wait for an appointment. Avoid very hot, cold, or hard foods, and use an over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain and reduce swelling.