Can’t sleep because of tooth pain? Just as you feel yourself entering into a dream, you suddenly wake up reaching for your mouth and cringing as a result of the discomfort. This can certainly be one of the most uncomfortable and frustrating situations. Not only are you in pain but you’re also lacking the necessary sleep to ensure you can fully function tomorrow. A dentist is here to share 3 simple ways you can start feeling relief and getting better sleep even while dealing with a toothache at night.
Why Does a Toothache Occur at Night?
There are many reasons a toothache can develop: gum disease, an infection, sinus congestion, serious injury, or even teeth grinding (bruxism), but what causes them to suddenly become a problem at night? Here are a few reasons:
- If you are forgoing your nighttime oral hygiene routine, you may want to rethink your decision. Tiny food particles can become trapped between your teeth and in your gums, resulting in discomfort. By choosing to brush and floss your teeth before bed, you can minimize the potential of this happening throughout the night.
- If your stress level is high, you may be prone to grinding your teeth at night. You might not even realize you’re doing it. A sore jaw or teeth can be clear indicators of bruxism, but if you have a cavity that has already formed, any type of grinding or clenching can exacerbate the problem.
3 Ways to Find Relief From the Pain
No matter if it’s a mild sensation or you’re experiencing extreme tooth pain, you want relief fast, especially when trying to sleep. While it’s unlikely that your dentist’s office will be open and taking appointments throughout the night, you’ll most certainly want to call and leave a voicemail that alerts team members of your situation. While waiting to book an appointment with your emergency dentist, consider trying the following tips to minimize pain and get back to sleep:
- Place one or more pillows under your head to keep it elevated throughout the night. Because blood flow can travel to your head, lying down may cause pressure to build in a particular area, causing intense pain in your mouth. By keeping this area higher, you can reduce swelling as well as discomfort.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. When taken as directed, they can help to minimize pain and ultimately, allow you to go back to sleep. While the effects may not happen instantaneously, you will notice an improvement in your situation, helping you to feel more comfortable and achieve adequate rest.
- Use a cold compress or ice pack to keep swelling down. No matter the reason for your toothache, applying something cold to your cheek will help create a numbing sensation that allows you greater comfort.
No matter the time of day, a toothache is an unwelcomed guest. Don’t let it keep you from getting the rest you need. By using these three simple tips, you’ll feel better and be back to sleep in no time at all.
About the Author
Dr. Douglas Baldwin and the team at Foundation Dental Solutions are here to not only deliver emergency solutions when you need it most but also provide helpful tips should you be suffering from a nagging toothache that’s keeping you up at night. No matter the reason for the pain, our team can recommend useful techniques you can use while waiting to get in to see us for treatment. Contact us at (817) 478-4300 to let us help you achieve relief from the pain and start getting better sleep.