Sleep is crucial for your overall health, but catching Z’s can be difficult when you are dealing with tooth pain that doesn’t seem to subside on its own. You know that you should be seeing your emergency dentist first thing in the morning, but what should you do in the meantime? You can’t sleep with an agonizing toothache. Continue reading to learn some tips to relieve your tooth pain so you can sleep as soundly as possible till morning.
Use Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
Pain relievers that you can get over the counter can be very effective when it comes to minimizing discomfort, including dental pain. Medicines like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin have all shown to be effective. Numbing pastes and gels, often containing benzocaine, can help to dull your pain long enough to fall asleep. Just remember that products containing benzocaine should not be used to treat children under the age of two.
Keep Your Head Elevated
When you are laying your head down, more blood flows to it. This can intensify your toothache even more than it already is. To help prevent this, keep your head elevated as much as you can. Use a few extra pillows to prop it up or try sleeping in a recliner.
Avoid Certain Foods Before Bed
Some foods can aggravate your toothache and make it more difficult for you to sleep. Stay away from foods that are particularly acidic, cold, or hard so that they don’t trigger any further pain by aggravating cavities or other issues.
Use a Cold Compress
Using a cold compress helps to constrict the blood vessels in the area and numb some of the pain that you are experiencing. Cold temperatures also help to reduce both inflammation and swelling. This is especially helpful if your toothache was caused by an injury. Just wrap a bag of ice in a towel and place it on the affected area for about 20 minutes at a time.
Saltwater
Rinse your mouth with saltwater. This will help to wash away any food particles that are stuck between the teeth. It is also a natural disinfectant, helps to reduce inflammation in the mouth, and aids in healing oral wounds. Just mix half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water.
Getting some rest can seem impossible when you have a toothache, but with some help from the tips above, hopefully you will get some relief until morning!
About the Author
Dr. Vladimir Pastouk first graduated from the Kiev Medical University School of Dentistry in Ukraine. He later attended the Advanced Standing Program at the College of Dentistry at Nova Southeastern University in Florida and completed a year-long program in modern dental implantology and advanced bone grafting in Atlanta. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and several other professional organizations. For more information or to schedule an appointment at his office in Cleveland, visit his website or call (216) 292-3600.