Toothache with a cavity — what to do before you see a dentist

A tooth with a visible cavity usually starts to hurt when the decay has reached close to the nerve. Below: what actually helps, what to avoid, and how urgently you need a dentist.

⚠️ Important: this is first-aid guidance to survive until your visit. A cavity will not heal by itself.

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Step 1 — how urgent is it?

🔴 ER now if: facial or neck swelling, fever above 38°C, pain radiating to ear/eye/throat, trouble opening the mouth or swallowing, pus from the gum.

🟠 Visit in 24–48 h if: throbbing severe pain, pain wakes you up, pain doesn't ease with meds, tooth reacts to heat, pain lasts more than 30 seconds after a trigger.

🟡 Book soon if: pain only on cold or sweet and passes fast, hole visible but tooth hurts only briefly, dull manageable pain.

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Step 2 — what actually helps at home

• NSAIDs (ibuprofen or ketoprofen) work better than paracetamol for tooth pain because they reduce inflammation. Follow the leaflet.
• Warm salt water rinse (1 tsp salt / glass of lukewarm water), 30 seconds, several times a day.
• Cold pack on cheek (15 on / 15 off). Cold helps, heat harms.
• Flush the hole gently with water or floss — never poke with a needle or toothpick.

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What to strictly avoid

• Aspirin placed on the gum — causes chemical burn.
• Alcohol rinses — irritate tissue.
• Hot compresses or sauna — heat amplifies inflammatory pain.
• Postponing the visit — pain that "went away" often means the pulp died and returns worse as an abscess.

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Can't get to a dentist this week?

Your preDenti AI scan result appears on screen in about a minute; we'll also email a copy. A licensed dentist reviews the photos and writes how urgently you need care (99 PLN, within 24 h). Not a replacement for a visit — but it tells you whether to wait for Monday or find a same-day emergency slot.