5 Methods for Getting Rid of a Toothache at Night

5 Methods for Getting Rid of a Toothache at Night

Sep 04, 2020

Pain caused by a toothache is one of the most common oral problems people face. It manifests in different ways, ranging from a throbbing pain in your mouth to sharp pains that spread all over your face. A Toothache can cause too much pain that it is difficult to get anything done in your daily life. Handling toothaches is no one’s delight. However, if the pain attacks at night, it may be best to contain it before you can seek medical attention. Treatment for pain in your teeth can be offered in general dentistry or emergency dentistry. Before then, you need some tips to manage the pain.

What Causes Tooth Pain?

People describe toothaches differently, based on the symptoms they experience. The main concern, however, is in exploiting the cause of the pain, which can help you know better how to manage it before you can seek dental assistance. An important factor to consider is that the ache may be a result of tooth damage or an infection in your gum tissue.

Knowing the difference can help you better manage the discomfort. Some of the common causes of tooth pain include the following:

  1. Dental Decay – it is by far the most common cause of toothaches. Usually, the rotting on a tooth has spread to the internal layers of the tooth, triggering the nerve endings to respond to the infection.
  2. Jaw Injury – a traumatic accident can cause an injury on your mouth or jaw. This injury can cause pain, not only to the jawbone but also to the teeth in the surrounding area.
  3. Loose Filling – a dental filling should cover your tooth so that the internal parts and the nerve endings are not exposed. If you have a loose filling, this is compromised, which is what may result in pain in your tooth.

Treating the Pain At Home

At SS Dental, many of the patients we treat come in with stories of prolonged toothaches. At first, the pain may come and go, which is not as alarming. However, it does not take long before the pain is continuous and persistent. This is when the problem arises. Chances are that when this happens, it holds you back from enjoying your sleep.

Before your toot pain is a dental emergency, a dentist in Plano may suggest using different home remedies to help alleviate the pain. This way, you can enjoy your sleep as you book an appointment with your dentist. Some of the home remedies that people consider at home for alleviating pain include:

  • Garlic
  • Sunflower leaves
  • Tobacco leaves
  • Sweet potato leaves
  • Guava leaves

While these natural remedies can help reduce the pain, you have to be careful with how you use them. Consult an emergency dentist near you, on both usage and safety measures.

Methods of Getting Rid of Tooth Pain at Night

When a throbbing tooth pain starts at night, it is illogical to start looking for natural remedies like sunflower leaves. Since those may not be accessible at the time, five useful tips can help you manage the pain:

  1. Pain Medication – you can get over-the-counter medication for relieving pain, for example, ibuprofen or some aspirin.
  2. Cold Compress – an ice pack over your cheek on the affected area can help with the pain. Usually, the cold will constrict the blood vessels in your mouth to reduce the intensity of the pain.
  3. Keep Your Head Elevated – when your head is higher than the rest of your body, it helps reduce the pooling of blood around your mouth, which only intensifies the pain. Result in using pillows to keep your head lifted and reduce too much blood flow in your mouth.
  4. Watch What You Eat – with a painful tooth, the last thing you should be doing is triggering more sensitivity. Avoid eating foods that are too hot or too cold. While at it, reduce your intake of acidic or hard foods, both of which can aggregate your tooth to hurt even more. This is especially the case when you are heading to bed.
  5. Rinse Your Mouth With Mouthwash – a mouthwash that contains alcohol is a great way to rinse off any food residues in your mouth while killing bacteria that could keep spreading infection. It will also numb your mouth from the pain.