Discomfort in any part of the body can disturb your sleep. And if you get toothache at night, falling asleep can be even more challenging. While the pain keeps you awake, thousands of other things run through your head, making you worry about your dental and oral health. You can avoid these situations by following regular teeth and gums hygiene. However, once the problem has occurred, you must first manage it. Since you may not get quick access to a dentist at night, you will want to relieve your pain and wait for the morning. But don’t worry, as you can try a few methods for temporary relief.
Medication
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can help with mild and moderate pain. Try ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). However, make sure you take the proper dose. Read the label for instructions. You may want to consult a dentist for a better suggestion in severe pain.
Warm water with honey
The antibacterial properties of the honey make it a promising agent for managing wounds and faster healing. It can alleviate pain, inflammation, and swelling. If you have pain because of sensitive teeth, you can use warm water and one spoon of honey to rinse your mouth.
Green tea
You must know that green tea promotes cardiovascular health and prevents cancer risks. It achieves this because of its ability to fight inflammation and free radicals. Likewise, it can also be suitable for your oral health to get strong teeth and relief from inflammation. You have to use this as mouthwash two times a day.
Cold compress
Sometimes, cold compress also works on toothache. Please take a few ice cubes in a towel to apply to the affected jaw or facial region. You can repeat this for 15-20 minutes after a gap before hitting the bed. The cold effect from the ice will ease blood vessels, and your pain can also subside, allowing you to sleep well.
Dental ointments
You get ointments and numbing gels at pharmacies for pain control. Look for medicated solutions containing benzocaine. It tends to numb the affected region allowing you to find some relief. Once the day breaks out, you can schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist near you 10010 for proper examination and treatment. Remember, benzocaine is not recommendable for kids.
Saltwater mouthwash
One of the age-old and trusted recipes for toothache relief is salt water rinse. The natural antibacterial properties of the solution can tackle inflammation and curb damage caused by tooth infections. It can also be an excellent addition to your daily oral health routine. Rinsing your mouth with salt water can dislodge stuck food particles between the teeth and gums, keeping your mouth healthy and safe from bacterial attacks.
Garlic
This household ingredient contains a compound called allicin, which is rich in antibacterial properties and attacks the germs in the mouth to prevent toothache and cavity issues. When in pain, you can take a piece of garlic and chew it, allowing it to sit close to the painful tooth. You can experience some relief. However, the strong flavour of the garlic may not go down well with everyone. So, make sure you know if this will help your condition.
Clove oil
If you don’t want to take medicines, this natural remedy can help reduce your pain. Some believe its effect can be as powerful as benzocaine’s numbing ingredient in toothache gels. All you have to do is apply a drop of it on the soreness with a cotton ball. You can feel decent relief from this.
Causes of toothache
Various reasons can be there behind your toothache. One of the most common is tooth decay, which causes cavities. Cavities generally form when bacteria and acids attack the enamel and damage the soft tissue. It eventually opens up the nerve and results in severe pain. Sometimes, the sinus can also be the culprit for toothache. Drainage from the head due to infection can lead to pressure and pain at night. Other than these, jaw injury, the eruption of wisdom teeth, a loose filling, dental abscesses, gum illness, teeth grinding, and food particles stuck in the gums and teeth can also be responsible for your painful teeth. While only a dentist can reveal the actual cause, you may wonder why toothache worsens at night.
The health experts explain that the blood flows to the head when lying down. Due to this, the affected tooth suffers from pain and pressure caused by the extra blood. You, by default, focus more on the pain. You cannot distract yourself so easily at night. As a result, your sleep gets affected.
Nevertheless, when you experience toothache during the night, you should visit your dentist without any delay the following day. Home remedies can offer short-time relief. If there is an infection, you may have to use antibiotics to heal that. You may also want to meet your dentist soon if your tooth has developed a crack or is decaying. Only they can treat it permanently. Remember, a painful tooth can be a sign of tooth decay. If left untreated, you may have to deal with severe issues like tooth loss, abscesses, and gum problems. So, don’t allow this to happen.
When you visit a dental clinic, your dentist can recommend specific tests, including X-rays, to determine the source of your toothache. If they notice an infection, they will likely give you an antibiotic. However, if your condition is the byproduct of TMJ, you may have to use a mouth guard to avoid the grinding habit and relieve stress. Sometimes, surgery can be the only option.
Do you know what TMJ means? The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) links the lower jaw and the skull. This complex joint lets the lower jaw move up and down, side to side, and forward and backward. It also absorbs the shock created during chewing and other jaw motions. The joint can get injured due to bruxism (teeth grinding) or misalignment of the temporal bone caused by an accidental blow.
No matter the cause, seeking emergency care can be a good idea to detect the real problem and find long-term relief.