Try though you might, you can never anticipate when you might have an urgent dental problem. For instance, many people have developed sudden or severe toothaches at night when their dentist’s office is closed and must wait until morning to request an emergency appointment.
Unfortunately, it can be incredibly challenging to fall and stay asleep when one of your pearly whites is throbbing. Continue reading to learn about 3 helpful tips that can potentially provide relief to help you get some much-needed rest!
Tip #1: Prop Your Head Up
Have you noticed that your discomfort worsens when you finally allow yourself to try to lie down at night? This sometimes happens if your pain is due to an infection, which results in fluid buildup that puts pressure on the tender nerves inside your tooth.
Then, shifting your position from sitting or standing vertically to lying down horizontally allows gravity to pull more blood to your head, increasing the weight of the built-up fluid and exacerbating your ache. You can prevent this by propping your head up on several pillows so that it remains at an angle, or by dozing off in your favorite recliner for the night instead of in bed.
Tip #2: Rinse with Salt Water
You can also potentially reduce your discomfort by rinsing your mouth gently with warm salt water. To do so, mix about ½ tsp of salt into a glass of water then stir until it’s mixed thoroughly. Sip the concoction and swirl it around your mouth, spit it into the sink, and repeat until your cup is empty.
This pulls excess fluid from your mouth to ease the tender sensations in your gums, and also naturally disinfects your mouth to remove harmful bacteria contributing to the underlying cause of your problem.
Tip #3: Take Medications
Finally, taking over-the-counter medications can be another simple yet effective way to feel better, allowing you to get some much-needed sleep at night. Options like Tylenol or ibuprofen can help reduce aches and inflammation, but please take care to follow the dosage instructions carefully. You may want to consult with your primary care physician or pharmacist before using commercial-grade medications for safety purposes.
You might also try applying a numbing oral gel directly to your tooth or gums to provide some soothing relief.
Hopefully, one or more of these tips can help you find enough relief to drift off, so you’ll feel well-rested when you call your dentist in the morning!
About the Practice
Patients at Dental Designs of Maryland – Columbia benefit from a team of dentists eager to help them build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. They take the time to get to know your unique concerns and goals, and provide a comprehensive menu of services to address them. Then, they utilize state-of-the-art technology to enhance patient comfort while delivering accurate treatment results. Whether you need standard preventive care or a same-day emergency visit, they are happy to help! You can request an appointment on the website or call (443) 542-9519.