Home Symptoms Toothache

Toothache — what to take?

Toothache has multiple causes: cavity, pulpitis, abscess, gingivitis, tooth fracture, bruxism. It requires a visit to the dentist — OTC treatment is only temporary.

Also known as: dental pain my molar hurts dental abscess
5 recommended OTC drugs
8,260 pharmacies available

In short: toothache usually improves with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. On HartaFarmacii there are 5 commonly used options: Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Gel anestezic oral, Benzidamina spray, Ulei de cuisor. For each one you can compare the price across the Dr. Max, Tei, Catena and HelpNet chains and see which of the 8,260 pharmacies near you has it in stock, with prices updated daily. OTC treatment is suitable for mild, short-lived forms. See a doctor if signs such as extensive facial swelling; fever appear. This information is for general guidance only, is not medical advice and does not replace a specialist consultation — for a diagnosis, or if symptoms persist or worsen, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for toothache

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, consult a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Extensive facial swelling
  • Fever
  • Trismus (you cannot open your mouth)
  • Severe pain resistant to analgesics
  • Dental trauma
  • Persistent bleeding

Main causes

Dental cavity (most often), pulpitis (advanced cavity with nerve involvement), apical abscess (periapical infection), wisdom tooth eruption, tooth fracture, bruxism (grinding), gingivitis/periodontitis, sinusitis (referred pain in the upper jaw).

OTC treatment for relief

Ibuprofen 400-600 mg — the most effective for dental pain (inflammatory component). Up to 2400 mg/24h in a healthy adult.

Paracetamol 1000 mg — alternative. The paracetamol + ibuprofen combination is very effective.

Topical anesthetic gels — with benzocaine (Dentinox, Orajel) — short-lasting effect.

Salt water rinses — reduce inflammation.

Cloves (clove oil) — contains eugenol, a traditional local anesthetic.

Cold compress — reduces swelling.

What NOT to do

  • Do NOT place aspirin directly on the tooth or gum — it burns the mucosa.
  • Do NOT ignore the pain — a cavity does not heal on its own.
  • Do NOT use antibiotics without a prescription — they do not treat the pain.
  • Do NOT apply heat to the dental area (in an abscess it can worsen).

When to go URGENTLY to the dentist/doctor

  • Facial swelling, especially if it spreads (odontogenic cellulitis).
  • Associated fever.
  • Limited mouth opening (trismus).
  • Severe pain that does not respond to analgesics.
  • Trauma with fracture.
  • Persistent bleeding.

An untreated dental infection can progress to an abscess with systemic spread — rare but serious (endocarditis, mediastinitis, cavernous sinus thrombosis).

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a health professional.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for toothache

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Search the pharmacy

Medicines for toothache

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for toothache

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For toothache most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices on the comparator page first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for toothache runs over weeks.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Afte

Aftele sunt ulcerații dureroase mici pe mucoasa bucală, cu fond alb-gălbui și halou eritematos. Se vindecă spontan în 7-14 zile. Cauze: stres, traumatisme, deficite (B12, fier, folat), factori genetici.

 Symptom

Durere în gât

Durerea în gât (odinofagie) apare de regulă dintr-o infecție virală (80-90% din cazuri) sau mai rar bacteriană (streptococ beta-hemolitic). Majoritatea episoadelor se rezolvă în 5-7 zile cu tratament simptomatic.

Frequently asked

What else do you want to know?

Ibuprofen or paracetamol for a tooth?
Ibuprofen — more effective (pulpal inflammation). The ibuprofen 400 mg + paracetamol 1000 mg combination is very effective for severe pain.
Antibiotics for a toothache?
Only by prescription, in case of confirmed infection (abscess, cellulitis). The antibiotic does not relieve the pain, it only treats the infection.
Does the pain go away on its own?
It may subside temporarily if the nerve becomes necrotic, but that means a dead tooth — a risk of a distant abscess. Always go to the dentist.
Wisdom tooth — what do I do?
Eruption pain is relieved with ibuprofen, salt water rinses, benzydamine. If it is recurrent or with pericoronitis — extraction.

See also

Need a medicine now?

Find the nearest pharmacy
— with prices and stock.

Open the map →