Toothaches can be caused by a range of issues. From cavities to infections, it’s difficult to know what the issue is without visiting your dentist. Unfortunately, having a painful tooth can make it nearly impossible to sleep through the night. Many people find it difficult to concentrate on anything other than the discomfort. To help you get some rest until your dentist can get to the bottom of things, here’s why toothaches tend to feel worse at night and what you can do to lessen discomfort.
Why Are Toothaches More Noticeable at Night?
Sleep bruxism is a condition characterized by clenching of the jaw and tooth grinding while you’re asleep. This can lead to a range of issues, including tooth pain. Additionally, when you lay down, this causes the amount of blood flow to the head to intensify. In turn, additional pressure is put on sensitive areas in the mouth. This compounds the throbbing even more, which can cause the tooth pain to increase.
6 Tips for Sleeping Through the Night with a Toothache
Though having a toothache can make it difficult to sleep, there are several things you can do to get the rest you need. A few tips to help you sleep through the night include:
- Elevate your head – As previously mentioned, laying down can cause the blood to rush to your head, which will likely make your tooth pain worse. Elevate your head to avoid this.
- Practice good oral hygiene – Brush your teeth once in the morning and once at night for two minutes and floss before you go to bed. This will remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles from your mouth, which will lessen your chances of developing oral health issues like cavities.
- Take pain medication – When taken as instructed, over-the-counter pain medicine can lessen dental discomfort and make it easier to sleep through the night.
- Rinse your mouth –Add half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and gargle. This will help lessen tooth pain.
- Use a cold compress – Place a cold compress or an ice pack on the affected area for 15-minute intervals to numb discomfort and help with inflammation.
- Avoid certain foods – Don’t consume overly hot or cold, sweet, acidic, or sharp foods or beverages as these can increase tooth discomfort.
If you have a toothache, there’s no reason to suffer. Reach out to your dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to determine what the problem is and give you the treatment you need. Until they’re able to see you, use the above tips to lessen dental discomfort and get a good night’s sleep!
About the Author
Sleeping with a toothache is hard. That’s why the talented team at Boyd & Walther Tallahassee Dental Associates is here to help. They can get to the bottom of what’s causing your dental discomfort and administer the treatment you need to once again enjoy a happy, healthy smile. Are you interested in scheduling an appointment or do you want more information? If so, call Boyd & Walther Tallahassee Dental Associates at (850) 878-4117 or visit their website to get started.