At the end of the day, there may be nothing better than getting comfortable in your bed and drifting off into sleep. Getting plenty of it helps ensure you have enough energy in the morning, but what if you have a toothache creeping up? This dental discomfort can be caused by a wide range of things, like a tooth infection, but it can keep you awake. To help you get relief for the night, try out these four tips before calling your dentist in the morning.
1.) Keep Your Head Elevated with an Extra Pillow
In some cases, lying down can be the cause of your tooth hurting more now. Your heart is more easily able to pump blood to your face, and that extra pressure can make the discomfort worse. Simply keep your head elevated with an extra pillow, and you should hopefully feel it lessen.
2.) Do Your Oral Hygiene Routine Again
Right before bed or in the middle of the night, did you get a little snack? A stray piece of food may have gotten stuck between your teeth and is causing the pain you’re feeling. By simply redoing your dental routine, you can hopefully knock the debris out of place. If you can feel it but still have trouble, then try tying a knot in your floss to give it added thickness.
3.) Rinse with Warm Salt Water
If you are noticing you have inflammation along with your toothache, then consider doing a warm saltwater rinse. This can wash away harmful bacteria that can lead to oral health issues while also soothing your gums. All you have to do is add a tablespoon of this seasoning into a glass of warm water and swish it just like mouthwash.
4.) Take Over-the-Counter Medication
Even if you tried everything above and had no luck, try taking pain relievers. They can dial back the discomfort you feel for long enough until you fall asleep. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen might be some you have lying around, but make sure you follow the directions on the bottle to find the right dosage for you.
Do I Need to Call My Dentist?
Hopefully, you find luck with one of the tips above, but you should still call your dentist first thing in the morning. They will be able to get to the bottom of your toothache and give you the permanent solution you need.
This is especially true if it’s a tooth infection, as conditions like this can’t heal on their own. You’ll be able to get it treated with reliable services like a root canal; that way, you can simply get into bed without worrying about dental pain.
About the Author
At Donlands Family Dentistry, our team knows that a toothache never waits for a convenient time. We proudly serve patients in the East York and surrounding community, offering emergency dentistry when you need it most. Dr. Nabeel Ahmed is dedicated to getting you out of pain quickly and back to restful nights. If a toothache has been keeping you up, the fastest way to schedule an appointment is by calling our office at (416) 551-5224.