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Toothache on holiday in Istanbul can usually be eased overnight with pain relief advised by a pharmacist, a cold compress, soft food and avoiding very hot, cold or sweet things. See a dentist if pain lasts more than two days, keeps you awake or comes with a bad taste. Facial swelling with fever, or trouble breathing or swallowing, is urgent.
Why toothache strikes on a trip
Teeth often choose the worst moment. Common causes on holiday include:
- A cracked tooth or filling, often from biting something hard such as nuts, olive stones, hard sweets or the crust of a simit
- A lost filling or crown, which leaves the inner tooth sensitive
- Tooth decay that was quiet at home and becomes painful
- A gum or tooth infection (abscess), which can cause throbbing pain, swelling and a bad taste
- A wisdom tooth pushing through, with sore, swollen gums at the back
- Sinus pressure after a flight or a cold, which can feel like pain in the upper back teeth
- Sensitivity after dental treatment, such as fillings, crowns, veneers or implants
What to do tonight
NHS guidance on toothache suggests a few things you can do while you wait to see a dentist:
- Take pain relief that a pharmacist confirms is suitable for you, following the packet.
- Hold a cold compress or a cloth-wrapped ice pack against the cheek for short periods.
- Eat soft, lukewarm food and chew on the other side.
- Avoid very hot, very cold and sugary food and drinks.
- Brush gently with a toothpaste for sensitive teeth, and use floss to remove trapped food.
- Adults can rinse the mouth with warm salt water.
- Rest with your head raised on an extra pillow.
Do not place painkiller tablets directly on the tooth or gum, as this can burn the gum. If a crown has come off, keep it safe in a clean container and bring it to the dentist.
What a pharmacy can help with
Pharmacies (Eczane) are easy to find in every district, and at night the on-duty pharmacy (nöbetçi eczane) is open; our guide to the 24-hour pharmacy in Istanbul explains how to find it. Useful phrases:
- Diş ağrısı: toothache
- Diş hekimi: dentist
- Dişim kırıldı: I have broken a tooth
- Dolgum düştü: my filling has fallen out
A pharmacist can suggest suitable pain relief and an oral gel or temporary filling material for a lost filling. Tell them about allergies, other medicines, pregnancy and stomach or kidney problems. Antibiotics are prescription medicines in Türkiye, and a dental infection needs a dentist's treatment rather than antibiotics alone; see our guide to antibiotics in Turkey.
When you need a dentist
Pain relief buys time; it does not fix the cause. NHS guidance advises seeing a dentist if:
- Toothache lasts more than two days
- The pain does not settle with pain relief
- You have a high temperature, pain when biting, red or swollen gums, or a bad taste in your mouth
- A tooth is broken, loose or knocked out
- A filling or crown has come out and the tooth is sensitive
If an adult tooth is knocked out, handle it by the crown, not the root, keep it moist in milk or inside your cheek, and get to a dentist as quickly as possible.
Protecting your teeth for the rest of the trip
Until you see a dentist, chew on the other side, avoid hard foods such as nuts, hard sweets and crusty bread, and skip very hot or iced drinks. Keep brushing gently twice a day, including around the painful tooth, as food trapped near it makes pain worse. Sugary Turkish sweets and sweetened tea add up quickly; rinse with water after them. If you grind your teeth at night, stress and poor sleep on a trip can make jaw and tooth pain worse; mention it to the dentist.
Toothache after dental treatment in Istanbul
Many visitors come to Istanbul for dental work. Some sensitivity after fillings, crowns, veneers or implants is common, but increasing pain, swelling, a loose temporary crown or a bite that feels wrong should be checked. Contact the clinic that treated you first: it has your records and X-rays and is responsible for the treatment. Keep your treatment summary and any aftercare paperwork the clinic gave you.
Getting to a dentist in Istanbul
If you do not have a dentist here, a clinic appointment arrangement can find an appointment with an English-speaking dental team, and hotel pick-up and drop-off takes the stress out of getting there. For the treatment itself, professional dental care covers examination and treatment by a dentist. If the pain has come with a fever or you feel generally unwell, a doctor can also assess you at your hotel.
Bring your passport, a list of your medicines and allergies, and any recent dental records. Check whether your travel insurance covers emergency dental pain relief; many policies cover only short-term treatment.
When toothache is urgent
Some dental problems spread beyond the tooth. Get urgent medical help the same day if you have:
- Swelling of the face, jaw or around the eye
- A high temperature with toothache and you feel unwell
- Swelling in the mouth or neck that is getting worse
- Heavy bleeding after an extraction that does not stop with firm pressure on a gauze pad
- An injury to the face or jaw
Related Services
- Clinic Appointment Arrangement — an appointment with a dental team in Istanbul.
- Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off — transport to and from the dental clinic.
- Professional Dental Care — examination and treatment by a dentist.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What can I do for toothache at night in Istanbul?
- Ask the on-duty pharmacy (nöbetçi eczane) about suitable pain relief, use a cold compress, eat soft food and avoid hot, cold and sweet things until you can see a dentist.
- How do I find an emergency dentist in Istanbul as a tourist?
- Ask your hotel, contact the clinic that treated you if you had dental work here, or message us to arrange an appointment and transport.
- Can I get antibiotics for a tooth infection at a pharmacy in Turkey?
- No. Antibiotics are prescription medicines, and a dental infection usually needs a dentist's treatment, not antibiotics alone.
- When is toothache an emergency?
- When there is facial or neck swelling, fever, or difficulty breathing, swallowing or opening the mouth. Call 112 for breathing or swallowing problems.
If you have toothache in Istanbul and want help finding a dentist, send a WhatsApp message describing the problem and where you are staying.