It’s 2 a.m., the pain is throbbing in your jaw, and sleep is elusive. You’re looking for something to do right now, without waking the whole house or rushing to the hospital. Here are seven practical tips to help you get through the night and manage the pain while waiting to see your dentist for your dental emergency.
Why does tooth pain worsen at night?
When you’re lying down, more blood flows to your head. The pressure increases in the inflamed tooth, and the pain becomes more intense. Add to that the silence of the night: without distractions, your brain focuses on the sensation.
6 Relief Tips Before Seeing a Dentist
Elevate Your Head
Add a second pillow. Keeping your head higher than your heart reduces blood pressure in the jaw and often soothes the throbbing pain.
Rinse with warm salt water
Add half a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Rinse for 30 seconds, then spit out. The salt water soothes inflamed tissues and cleanses the area.
Apply cold to the cheek
Apply a cold compress wrapped in a cloth to the affected cheek for 15 minutes. The cold reduces inflammation and numbs the pain. Never apply ice directly to the tooth.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever
Follow the dosage instructions on the packaging. Ibuprofen works well for inflammatory tooth pain. Avoid placing an aspirin tablet directly on the gum. Contrary to popular belief, this can burn the tissue instead of providing relief.
Avoid heat, cold, and sugar
An inflamed tooth reacts strongly to extreme temperatures and sugar. Drink lukewarm water, eat lukewarm, soft foods, and chew on the side opposite your pain.
Avoid sleeping on the painful side
Direct pressure on the inflamed jaw intensifies the pain. Sleep on your back or on the opposite side.
When should you seek emergency dental care in Laval?
Some signs cannot wait until the next morning. Go to the emergency dental clinic in Laval or to the hospital if you have:
- Increasing facial or neck swelling;
- Fever accompanying dental pain;
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing;
- Recent trauma with a broken or displaced tooth;
- Pain that does not subside despite pain medication.
These signs may indicate a spreading infection, and prompt treatment protects your oral health, as well as your overall health.
What if the pain keeps coming back?
Nighttime pain that recurs several nights is a warning sign. Your body is trying to tell you that something is wrong: a deep cavity, infected gums, a cracked tooth, or a grinding issue that needs correcting. Postponing your appointment allows the problem to worsen and may complicate the treatment.
Get through the night, then make an appointment.
These steps can help you get through the night, but they don’t replace a diagnosis. To determine the cause of your toothache and get back to peaceful nights, make an appointment at Carrefour Dentaire 440 in Laval. The team is there to see you quickly in case of an emergency.