Self Help for Dental Pain
During COVID, most people with a dental problem were advised to follow the SDCEP dental emergency guidance because access to dentists was limited. This page is an attempt to present that guidance in a clearer, public-friendly way — and access can still be difficult today, for different reasons.
It isn’t a diagnostic tool. It’s a practical guide to help you make safer choices and, where possible, avoid problems getting worse. Prevention usually costs a fraction of treatment — but treatment is still there if you need it. The aim is to help you stay comfortable and in control. It isn’t perfect, but is a start.
Pain relief advice
A step-by-step guide to help you choose safe options. This supports decision-making but does not provide a diagnosis.
Emergency safety notice
If there is difficulty breathing, rapidly spreading swelling, collapse, severe bleeding, or you feel very unwell: contact emergency services immediately.
Choose the most relevant section, it may be a combination. Contact details for services are listed below. Please inform any members of the dental team who wish to orovide any service from pain relief to preventing problems through the link below.
BLEEDING
BLEEDING
Follow the questions below to decide what to do next. This supports decision-making but does not provide a diagnosis.
Bleeding after an extraction is fairly common. Other causes are less common, but occasionally urgent care may be required.
• Rinse the area with warm salt water
• Bite down on a moist cotton handkerchief or gauze
• Maintain pressure for 20 minutes while sitting upright
(e.g. warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, clopidogrel)
• Bite down on moist gauze/cloth
• Maintain pressure for 20 minutes
• Sit upright
(actively flowing / filling the mouth / not slowing)
(knocked tooth, facial injury, accident)
SWELLING
SWELLING
Follow the questions below to decide what to do next. This supports decision-making but does not provide a diagnosis.
Swelling of the mouth, face, jaw or neck is often linked to dental infection or inflammation, but can sometimes affect breathing or general health.
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty moving your tongue / difficulty sticking your tongue out
• Swelling close to your eye
• Swelling worsened in the last hour
• Sudden / unexpected swelling
If you are unsure, treat this as “Yes”.
• High temperature / fever
• Dehydrated
• Very tired / lethargic
People who are systemically unwell can deteriorate more rapidly.
In some areas you may be able to access antibiotics via a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber (PIP).
Some specially trained pharmacists with prescribing qualifications can prescribe antibiotics.
These are uncommon and usually work in GP surgeries, urgent care, or special clinics — not standard community pharmacies.
You still need to arrange a dental appointment.
Do you have a strange pain in your jaw, or breathlessness with chest pain (possible heart problem)?
Do you think you may have taken too much pain relief (possible overdose)?
If yes → seek urgent help.
Many patients with swelling also have pain. Use the Pain pathway for pain relief guidance and next steps.
Ideally make an appointment with a dentist within a week.
Use the search engine on the DHS page.
Contact emergency services now.
ULCERATION
ULCERATION
Follow the questions below to decide what to do next. This supports decision-making but does not provide a diagnosis.
Most (though not all) oral ulcers are painful. This pathway helps you decide when self-care is reasonable and when you should seek assessment.
• Very thirsty / dry lips
• Dark urine / passing very little urine
• Very tired, dizzy or headache
There are several possible causes and many ulcers settle on their own.
Use analgesics and topical/oral pain relief as required, and consider a suitable mouthwash.
Many painful ulcers can be caused by viral infection (e.g. herpes) and should be assessed if they persist or worsen.
Try tablet and gel analgesics as needed, and a suitable mouthwash (follow product instructions).
Try oral and topical anaesthetics and mouthwashes (as appropriate).
If a brace or sharp edge is rubbing, use brace wax if available.
If dentures are causing rubbing, leave them out if practical.
TRAUMA
TRAUMA
This pathway is for injury to the mouth, chipped/cracked/broken teeth, or trauma to soft tissues. It supports decision-making but does not provide a diagnosis.
Patients with trauma should be assessed first for serious injury or complications.
• Head injury, loss of consciousness, or significant facial trauma
• Uncontrollable bleeding
• Struggling to breathe
Clean the wound gently and apply pressure to stop bleeding.
If bleeding restarts, reapply pressure and reassess.
• Avoid touching the root of the tooth
• If possible, place it back in the socket and gently close your mouth
• If not possible, store the tooth in milk (or saliva) and seek immediate care
Keep a soft diet and use appropriate pain relief as necessary.
Arrange review with a dentist.
Maintain good oral hygiene and use pain relief as required.
Monitor yourself. If the problem persists, seek further advice.
Apply a desensitising toothpaste over the fractured surface regularly while waiting for your appointment.
Keep fragments clean (e.g. in water) and take them to the dentist.
Use
ALTERED SENSATION/APPEARANCE
ALTERED SENSATION / APPEARANCE
Use this pathway for numbness/tingling, unusual marks, lumps, or changes in appearance. This supports decision-making but does not provide a diagnosis.
Do you have any signs of a stroke such as facial asymmetry, weakness, or speech problems?
(e.g. numbness, tingling, unusual marks, patches, lumps)
Contact whoever carried out the treatment within 7 days (or sooner if symptoms get worse).
Your symptoms fit better with the swelling pathway.
Ideally make an appointment with a dentist within a week.
Use the search engine on the DHS page.
Your symptoms may need medical assessment.
A persistent lesion (>3 weeks) or a lump that is enlarging/ulcerated should be assessed promptly.
Possible stroke symptoms need emergency help now.
Analgesic & comfort advice
A step-by-step guide to help you choose safe options. This supports decision-making but does not provide a diagnosis.
1) Ibuprofen (400mg every 6–8 hours)
- First-line for dental pain due to its anti-inflammatory effect.
- Take with food.
- Avoid in asthma triggered by NSAIDs, stomach ulcers, or kidney issues.
2) Paracetamol (500–1000mg every 4–6 hours)
- Safe alternative if ibuprofen is unsuitable.
- Maximum 4g in 24 hours.
- Suitable for most people if taken as directed.
3) Combination therapy
- Ibuprofen and paracetamol can be taken together or alternated for stronger pain relief.
- This is safe if dose limits are not exceeded.
4) Aspirin (not preferred)
- Can relieve pain but not advised for dental pain due to bleeding risk and stomach irritation.
- Never place aspirin directly on gums.
Use cold compresses and avoid chewing on the painful side. These medicines help manage pain, but they don't fix the cause — if symptoms persist, arrange dental care.
If possible, ask your pharmacist
1) Paracetamol (Calpol)
- First-line option.
- Dose based on weight and age.
- Safe if used correctly.
2) Ibuprofen
- Effective for inflammation (e.g. teething, pulpitis).
- Take with food.
- Avoid if child is dehydrated or has asthma, gastric issues, or kidney problems.
3) Distraction
- Get your child to focus on something else (favourite game or video).
Do not
- Do not use aspirin in children under 16 (risk of Reye’s syndrome).
- Avoid ibuprofen in children with asthma triggered by NSAID, peptic ulcers, or kidney issues.
- Use paracetamol cautiously in liver disease.
- Avoid combining products with the same active ingredient (overdose risk).
How to apply
- Best applied with baby buds. Dry with one end, then apply with the other.
Lidocaine 5% (gel or ointment)
- Brand examples: Orajel, Xylocaine
- Use: short-term relief of mouth ulcers, sore gums, teething, and pre-injection numbing.
- Onset: 1–2 minutes
- Duration: 20–30 minutes
- Licensed for adults and children (age restrictions vary by brand/concentration).
Benzocaine (up to 20%)
- Fast-acting, often used in teething gels (e.g. Anbesol).
- Not recommended for infants under 2.
Chlorhexidine (0.12–0.2%)
- e.g. Corsodyl — effective against bacteria but may stain teeth with long-term use.
- Best applied directly with a baby bud up to 4Ă— daily.
Dry mouth
- Choose alcohol-free, neutral pH rinses like Biotène, Oralieve or Clinisept.
Mouth ulcers / soreness
- Saltwater rinses or benzydamine (e.g. Difflam) for pain relief.
- Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes in sensitive mouths.
- Remove the denture to give the mouth a rest and assess the area.
- Rinse with warm saltwater to soothe sore spots and reduce inflammation.
- Check for cracks, sharp edges, or food trapped underneath.
- All dentures should be left out overnight.
- Use denture adhesive to improve comfort and fit temporarily if it’s loose.
- Cover sharp edges with orthodontic wax, sugar-free chewing gum, or temporary dental filling material.
- Rinse mouth with warm saltwater to reduce irritation.
- Avoid hard or sticky foods that can worsen the break.
- If a wire is poking and cannot be covered, gently bend it back with a clean spoon.
This tool supports decision-making but does not provide a diagnosis. If symptoms persist, worsen, or you’re worried — arrange a dental assessment.
If you were happy with the care you receive, please tell your dentist or dental nurse — and encourage them to promote their service by registering on our website.
There’s a link find a service below. With your help, it will improve.
