Dental Pain Right Now — What to Do Step by Step

If you are reading this, you are probably in pain. We will keep this short, clear, and practical.

Dental pain is treatable. You will feel better. Here is what to do right now.

Step 1: Take Pain Relief NOW

The fastest way to reduce dental pain at home is medication. If you have no contraindications, the most effective approach for adults is to take ibuprofen (400 mg) and paracetamol (500 mg) together at the same time.

This combination works better than either medication alone. Ibuprofen reduces inflammation — the main driver of dental pain — while paracetamol works on a different pain pathway.

Important:

This dosage is for adults only. For children, check with your pharmacist for the correct dose based on age and weight.
Do not take ibuprofen if you have a stomach ulcer, severe asthma triggered by anti-inflammatories, kidney problems, or are in the third trimester of pregnancy. Use paracetamol alone instead.
Follow the dosage instructions on the packaging. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Do NOT place aspirin directly on your gums. This is an old myth that causes chemical burns to the gum tissue. Swallow pain medication as directed.

The medication should begin to take effect within 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 2: Apply a Cold Compress

Wrap an ice pack, a bag of frozen peas, or a cold damp cloth in a thin towel.

Hold it against the outside of your cheek on the painful side.

20 minutes on. 20 minutes off. Repeat as needed.

Cold reduces inflammation and has a numbing effect. Do not apply ice directly to your skin.

Step 3: Rinse with Warm Salt Water

Dissolve half a teaspoon of table salt in a glass of warm (not hot) water.

Swish it gently around the painful area for 30 seconds. Spit it out. Repeat two or three times.

Salt water reduces bacteria, soothes inflamed tissue, and can help draw fluid out of swollen areas. It is safe to repeat every few hours.

Step 4: Call Compass Dental

We prioritise emergency patients and will make room for you.

Phone us and let us know you are in pain — we will get you in as quickly as possible.

You can also book an emergency appointment online.

If you cannot get through immediately, leave a message stating that you are in pain. We will call you back promptly.

What to Tell Us When You Call

Having this information ready helps us assess your situation quickly and prepare for your visit:

Where is the pain? Which side? Front or back? Upper or lower? Can you point to a specific tooth, or is the pain more general?
When did it start? Did it come on suddenly, or has it been building over days or weeks?
How severe is it? Rate it from 1 to 10, where 10 is the worst pain you have ever experienced.
Is there any swelling? Check your face in a mirror. Is one side puffier than the other? Is there a bump on the gum?
Do you have a fever? If you have a thermometer, check your temperature. If not, do you feel feverish, shivery, or generally unwell?
What makes it worse or better? Hot drinks? Cold water? Biting down? Lying flat?
Any recent dental work? A filling, crown, or extraction in the past few weeks?

While You Wait for Your Appointment

Here are additional things you can do to stay as comfortable as possible:

Elevate Your Head

If you are lying down, prop your head up with extra pillows. When your head is above your heart, there is less blood pressure in the blood vessels around the tooth, which reduces the throbbing.

Avoid Triggers

Very hot or very cold food and drinks
Sweet or acidic foods
Chewing on the painful side
Prodding the tooth with your tongue or finger

Try Clove Oil

If you have clove oil at home (available at most pharmacies and health food shops), dip a cotton bud in it and apply directly to the painful tooth and surrounding gum. Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural anaesthetic. It may sting briefly, then numb the area.

Use a Numbing Gel

Over-the-counter oral numbing gels containing benzocaine or lidocaine (such as SM-33 or Orajel) can be applied to the gum around the affected tooth for temporary relief. Follow the product instructions.

If It Is After Hours

If you are in pain outside of practice hours, here is what to do:

Take pain relief as described in Step 1 above.
Use the home management steps (cold compress, salt water rinse, elevate your head) to get through the night.
Call Compass Dental first thing in the morning and let us know you have been in pain overnight. We will prioritise your appointment.

For most dental pain, the combination of ibuprofen and paracetamol will keep you reasonably comfortable overnight until we can see you.

However, if you are experiencing any of the red flag symptoms listed below, do not wait until morning.

Red Flags — Go to the Hospital Emergency Department NOW

Go to the Royal Darwin Hospital emergency department or call 000 immediately if you have any of the following:

Difficulty breathing or swallowing. Swelling from a dental infection can spread to the throat and compromise your airway. This is a medical emergency.
High fever with facial swelling. A temperature above 38.5 degrees Celsius combined with swelling may indicate a spreading infection that needs urgent medical treatment, including intravenous antibiotics.
Uncontrolled bleeding. If bleeding from the mouth will not stop after 20 minutes of firm pressure with clean gauze.
Trauma to the jaw or face. If you have been in an accident, taken a blow to the face, or fallen and suspect a jaw fracture (difficulty opening or closing your mouth, misaligned bite, severe swelling).
Swelling spreading to the eye or neck. A dental infection that spreads beyond the immediate area of the tooth is potentially dangerous and needs urgent hospital care.
You feel very unwell. Confusion, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or a general sense that something is seriously wrong.

Do not hesitate. These situations are rare, but they can escalate quickly. Hospital staff can stabilise the infection and manage the immediate danger. Follow up with Compass Dental once the medical emergency has been addressed.

You Will Feel Better

We know that dental pain can feel overwhelming, especially when it strikes suddenly or in the middle of the night. It can be hard to think clearly when you are hurting.

Here is what we want you to know: dental pain is treatable, and relief is closer than you think.

At Compass Dental, we see patients in pain every week. We know how to find the cause quickly, stop the pain, and get you back to feeling like yourself. Dr Thien Pham and our team have been helping Darwin patients through dental emergencies for over 10 years. This is what we do.

When you come in, we will numb the area with local anaesthetic so you are comfortable from the moment treatment begins. If you are anxious — and many people are, especially when they have been in pain — we also offer happy gas (nitrous oxide) sedation to help you relax.

You do not have to endure the pain. Call us.

Patients from Regional and Remote NT

If you are in Katherine, Alice Springs, Nhulunbuy, Tennant Creek, or another remote Northern Territory community, we understand you may not be able to reach a dentist right away. Call Compass Dental and we can provide pain management advice over the phone and help you plan your visit to Darwin. We regularly accommodate patients from across the NT.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take ibuprofen and paracetamol at the same time?

Yes. For adults with no contraindications, taking ibuprofen and paracetamol together is safe and more effective than either alone for dental pain. They work through different mechanisms and do not interact. Always follow the dosage instructions on the packaging.

How long will it take for the pain relief to work?

Most people notice a reduction in pain within 20 to 40 minutes of taking ibuprofen and paracetamol. The full effect may take up to an hour. If the pain has not eased after an hour, do not take more than the recommended dose — call Compass Dental or seek medical advice.

What if over-the-counter pain relief is not working at all?

If ibuprofen and paracetamol are providing no relief, the underlying issue may be more serious — such as an abscess or a nerve that is severely inflamed. Contact Compass Dental for an urgent appointment. If it is after hours and you have red flag symptoms (difficulty breathing, high fever with swelling, spreading swelling), go to the Royal Darwin Hospital emergency department.

Is dental pain ever a sign of something serious?

Most dental pain is caused by decay, infection, or a cracked tooth — all of which are very treatable. However, a dental infection that spreads can become a serious medical issue. The red flag symptoms listed above are the ones to watch for. If in doubt, seek care.

Will the dentist be able to fix the problem on the first visit?

In many cases, yes. At the very minimum, the first visit will focus on diagnosing the cause, relieving your pain, and stabilising the tooth. Some treatments (such as a filling or extraction) can be completed in one visit. More complex treatments (such as root canal therapy or a crown) may require a follow-up appointment.

I am terrified of the dentist. Can I still come in for an emergency?

Absolutely. We understand dental anxiety, and we are experienced in caring for patients who are nervous or afraid. Our approach is gentle, unhurried, and compassionate. Happy gas sedation combined with local anaesthetic ensures you feel relaxed and pain-free during treatment. You are in safe hands.

What if it is the middle of the night?

Use the pain management steps in this guide to get through the night — take pain relief, use a cold compress, rinse with salt water, and keep your head elevated. Call Compass Dental first thing in the morning and tell us you have been up all night in pain. We will prioritise your appointment. If you have red flag symptoms, go to the hospital emergency department immediately.

Call Compass Dental Now

You do not have to sit with the pain.

Compass Dental prioritises patients in pain. We will make room for you.

Call us now or book an emergency appointment online.

Dr Thien Pham and our team are ready to help.

If you have difficulty breathing, severe facial swelling, high fever, or uncontrolled bleeding, call 000 or go to the Royal Darwin Hospital emergency department immediately.