Toothache at Night? 5 Tips to Sleep Better at Night

A toothache is never welcome, and it’s safe to say that no time is ideal for it to strike. Of course, a toothache is never pleasant, but one in the dead of night is the worst

It’s hard to sleep when you know you have to wait hours before you can get to an emergency dentist.

To schedule an appointment with the dentist, call them, and leave a note for a callback the following day. They will often make time in their schedule to accommodate emergencies and get you in as quickly as possible.

Now that you’ve gotten to that point, apply the following tips to ease your discomfort and get some rest.

Reason for Toothache at Night

Unfortunately, tooth pain doesn’t adhere to any regular schedule. The only way to get rid of the pain they cause is to seek immediate relief, but they might appear out of nowhere.

When trying to get some shut-eye, tooth discomfort can be more evident. Its causes might range from poor oral hygiene leading to an infection or gum disease to dental trauma to severe sinus congestion. Why? Let us elaborate:

Forgetting to brush or floss before bed increases the likelihood of food getting stuck between your teeth. As a result, irritation and soreness might develop, which makes it difficult to fall and stay asleep.

To fix this problem, ensure you practice good dental hygiene before night and remove any food or other debris that could cause infection.

If you’re grinding your teeth, it could be because you’re under a lot of pressure at work or at home. This is called bruxism – an extremely widespread psychological disease.

Furthermore, it is responsible for the gradual wearing off of tooth enamel and the constant discomfort felt in the jaw. Even if you have a cavity, the pain from grinding your teeth will only worsen over time.

Tips to Sleep Better With a Toothache

Whether it’s a minor discomfort or a severe toothache, getting some rest is difficult when your teeth are bothering you. Even if your dentist’s office is closed for the evening, you should still give them a ring and leave a message to let the staff know what’s going on.

While you’re waiting to schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist, you can take the following measures to lessen the discomfort and get some rest:

1. Brush and Floss Gently

Check the area around the tooth to ensure there isn’t anything stuck there that could be making the discomfort worse. First, use the floss to carefully clean the area below the gums on both sides of the tooth.

Next, brush both the front and rear surfaces lightly while angling the brush bristles toward the gumline. If your gums are still sore after brushing, try rinsing with a mouthful of warm salty water for 30 seconds to a minute.

2. Medication

Consider taking an over-the-counter pain medication if you need to. Having ibuprofen or Tylenol on hand is wise because some toothaches are more painful than others.

You should merely watch your dosage carefully and not exceed the suggested amount. With the pain gone, you should be able to fall asleep quickly.

3. Elevate Your Head

According to the research by the staff of SweetIslandDreams.com, this is the perfect position to sleep with a toothache. Sleeping comfortably with a toothache is half the battle won when you use a high-quality pillow to find a tolerable position.

In turn, this reduces the pain linked with toothaches, which are sometimes brought on by high blood pressure in the brain.

4. Use Cold Compress

If you have any swelling, applying a cold compress, ice, or maybe even a bag of frozen veggies can help. Hold the pack against your cheeks for 15 minutes while wrapped in a small towel.

By narrowing the blood arteries, both pain and inflammation can be alleviated. If necessary, repeat once per hour.

5. Stay Busy

Most folks are content to kick back with a cup of coffee and watch their show of choice on television. Keeping your mind active, though, has been shown to reduce pain.

The hours before bedtime are the worst for a toothache. But if you keep your mind active with exciting activities, you can forget about it, and the pain will subside.

Closing Thoughts

Finally, remember that it is crucial to have an emergency dentist check out your tooth, even if the pain subsides. You still can have an infection that, if left untreated, may quickly turn serious.

However, the above tips should help you cope with any pain until you can receive medical attention.