Is ice or heat better for tooth pain?

Listen, never put heat on a toothache, it will make the swelling much worse if there is pus inside. Always use an ice pack on the outside of your cheek to numb the area. But don't sit at home popping painkillers—go see a dentist and get the tooth checked properly.

I have had multiple root canals, so take my advice: always use ice. Cold constricts the blood vessels and reduces the sharp throbbing, whereas heat will just accelerate any bacterial infection inside. Just put some ice cubes in a zip-lock bag, wrap it in a thin hand towel, and hold it on your face.

I have this terrible pain in my upper jaw and I am so scared it might be a major infection. I applied a warm cloth earlier and the throbbing got so much worse, is that normal? I switched to ice now and it feels slightly numb, but should I be worried about the swelling?

Ice is the only practical thing that works when you have to finish a meeting with a throbbing jaw. Just keep a cold gel pack in your office freezer and hold it against your cheek for 10 minutes at a time. It won't cure the cavity, but it will buy you enough time to finish your workday and visit the dentist.