Toothaches can be miserable ordeals, and it can be much easier to notice them at night. Unfortunately, this can make ignoring one enough to fall asleep quite difficult and set a person up for a restless night and a groggy tomorrow. Here’s why your toothache may seem worse when you are trying to sleep, how you can address the problem at home, and how your emergency dentist can resolve the issue.
Why Does My Tooth Hurt More at Night?
The daytime is typically full of activity and stimulation that can distract you from nagging dental pain. While the sound of traffic, the hustle-and-bustle of work, and even the sunlight can give your brain a lot of sensory information to process, a mild toothache can suddenly become much harder to ignore when the world quiets down at night. It’s not uncommon for the problem to seemingly worsen when a person is settling down in a dark, quiet, comfortable bedroom to sleep.
How Can I Sleep with a Toothache?
Luckily, there are a few excellent home remedies that may help you reduce your dental distress and get some much-needed shuteye. These include:
- Enjoying a thorough oral hygiene session that includes brushing and flossing. Dislodging a stubborn object stuck between your teeth may be all you need to end your discomfort.
- Soaking a cotton ball in clove oil and placing it over the troubled tooth. Clove oil has anesthetic properties and is an ancient home remedy for toothache.
- Using cushions or pillows to prop up your head while lying down or sleeping in a recliner. This can allow gravity to slightly lower the blood pressure in your head and reduce the irritation in your tooth.
- Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever according to the instructions printed on the bottle.
How Can My Emergency Dentist Help?
The best way for your emergency dentist to address your toothache depends on what is causing it. If the problem is gum disease, they will be able to treat it with an appropriate periodontal treatment. If the issue is a stubborn object stuck between your teeth, they will be able to safely and comfortably remove it. Painful decay can be addressed with a restorative treatment such as a dental filling, and teeth grinding can typically be managed with a customized nightguard.
It can be quite difficult to sleep if you have a toothache. With the home remedies listed here, you can manage your oral pain so you can get some rest before calling your emergency dentist in the morning.
About the Author
Dr. Britta Lundgren earned her dental degree at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and has studied advanced technology such as CEREC dental crowns and iTero scanners. She is proud to serve as a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Her office in Wilmington offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you have a toothache, dial (910) 777-5023. For more information, contact the office online.