If you are currently suffering from a severe toothache, the pain can make it very difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Until your emergency dentist is able to identify and properly treat the underlying problem, it will be up to you to keep your symptoms under control so that they don’t prevent you from getting the rest you need. Below are 5 helpful tips for making your toothache more manageable at night.
1. Keep Your Head Raised
It’s not unusual for toothaches to get worse at night. This is a result of more blood rushing to your head when you lie down, putting additional pressure on your teeth. You can mitigate this problem by making sure your head stays elevated while you’re in bed. An easy way to do so is to start sleeping on several pillows or a particularly thick pillow.
2. Take Over-the-Counter Pain Medication Before Bed
Over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can potentially be used to reduce tooth pain. Obviously, the relief they provide is temporary and is no substitute for professional treatment; nevertheless, they can still dull your discomfort long enough to make it easier to drift off to sleep.
3. Use an Ice Pack
Toothaches are often accompanied by swelling of the gums, which can contribute to the discomfort that is keeping you up at night. Fortunately, you can reduce swelling by holding an ice pack over the area shortly before the time you would normally start getting ready for bed. Remember that an ice pack should only be used for 15-minute intervals.
4. Try Rinsing with Mouthwash
Certain types of mouthwash contain ingredients that can numb the teeth for a little while. As such, rinsing with this kind of mouthwash could help you keep your discomfort under control while you’re trying to fall asleep. As an additional benefit, mouthwash can sometimes help fight the bacteria that are causing your toothache in the first place.
5. Be Careful Regarding What You Eat at Night
There are certain kinds of foods that can potentially make already existing tooth pain worse. This generally includes anything that’s particularly acidic, cold, or hard. It’s best to stay away from these types of foods at night so that you don’t risk aggravating your toothache before trying to sleep.
A toothache at night can be bothersome, but following the steps listed above can help you get the rest you deserve. And once you’re able to see your dentist, they can provide you with the care you need to put a stop to your tooth pain for good!
About the Practice
At Marvel Dental, our dentists aim to make it as easy as possible for our patients to get the care they need to maintain healthy, beautiful smiles. Our team is ready to help if a toothache or another type of dental emergency ever strikes; we can even make arrangements for a same-day appointment if necessary. To set up an emergency appointment at our practice in Midlothian, contact us by calling (682) 772-3072.