I have severe tooth pain that can only be soothed by cold water. i took ibuprofen but it doesn't work. what else can i do?

See a dentist asap: It sounds like the nerve is what we call "hot" meaning severely inflamed or infected. You most likely will need root canal therapy, although without being able to personally examine you, i can't be sure. See a dentist as soon as possible for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Call the emergency number if necessary.

See a professional.: It sounds like this is beyond home remedy. Like a splinter in your finger, dental pain exists because there is a problem. Would you take pain medication & antibiotics and use an ice-pack to manage the splinter? Not likely: you would take it out! see your dentist asap. Solve the problem. Be well :-).

See your dentist: When cold helps tooth pain it usually is related to a deteriorating nerve issue in a tooth and must be treated before it becomes abscessed.

Get a root canal: Pain to heat is the symptom of the late stages of pulpal inflammation. This stage is followed by pulpal death, called necrosis. Then an abscess starts to form at the roots end. The sooner you get the root canal, the better!

Meds. Dentist: OTC pain meds until you can see a dentist. Hopefully today.