A toothache can be troublesome enough during the day, but it can be especially annoying at night when you’re trying to fall asleep. Until you can have the underlying issue properly treated by an emergency dentist, you’ll need to take steps to manage your discomfort so that it doesn’t prevent you from getting the rest you deserve. Below are 5 useful tips that can go a long way toward making it easier to sleep with a toothache.
1. Keep Your Head Raised
When you lie down to go to sleep, the blood flow to your head increases. This can put additional pressure on your tooth and potentially make the pain you’re already experiencing even worse. To combat this problem, it’s recommended that you use multiple pillows or a particularly thick pillow to keep your head propped up while you’re in bed. By elevating your head, you can limit the blood flow to your mouth and thus reduce your tooth pain.
2. Take Over-the-Counter Pain Medication
Before you go to bed, it’s a good idea to take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These medications do not provide a permanent solution for a toothache, but they can still help you enjoy temporary relief, which can make it easier to fall asleep. When taking any sort of pain reliever, be sure to carefully follow any instructions related to dosage.
3. Stay Away From Foods That Can Make Tooth Pain Worse
If you’re currently suffering from a toothache, there’s a good chance that the affected tooth is more sensitive than normal. Consequently, you may experience significant discomfort when you eat or drink anything that’s particularly hot or cold. It’s best to stay away from foods that can potentially trigger tooth sensitivity right before bed so that you can avoid unnecessary additional pain.
4. Rinse Your Mouth with Warm Salt Water
Oftentimes, rinsing with salt water just before you head to bed can help you keep your tooth pain under control. It’s an effective way to reduce inflammation around the affected tooth and decrease your discomfort. On top of that, it can also help kill some of the bacteria that may be contributing to your toothache.
5. Use an Ice Pack
If your toothache is accompanied by swelling, it may be a good idea to apply an ice pack or cold compress to the area. This will temporarily numb the pain caused by inflammation so that you can get some sleep.
The tips listed above can make it easier to get through the night with a toothache. That said, if you want to put a stop to your pain once and for all, you will need to make an appointment with your emergency dentist so that they can diagnose and treat the problem.
About the Author
Dr. Brandon Jewell is a graduate of Meharry Dental School. He has received advanced root canal training at Root Camp, and he currently holds membership with a number of organizations, including the Tennessee Dental Association. At his current practice, Family Dental Associates of Spring Hill, he offers same-day treatments for patients suffering from all kinds of dental emergencies. If you have a toothache, you can request an appointment with Dr. Jewell by calling (615) 302-1414.