The nights and evenings can be dreadful when you suffer from an agonizing toothache. The pain of a toothache is excruciating no matter what time of day it occurs, but it becomes even more excruciating at night. Many reasons contribute to this being a well-known fact, and we will list some of them in this article. See why toothaches are keeping you up at night and learn how a dentist in Albania can help reduce the pain so you can sleep soundly.
What Is A Toothache?
Toothaches can come in different shapes and sizes. Some of them are dim, and others sting. Yours could come on unexpectedly (like the time your tooth hurts at night) or could pulse all day, beaming through your face.
The reason behind toothaches could be a hypersensitive nerve that is found inside the root. This could be an infection found somewhere in the gums around a tooth. Or even pressure in an adjacent area.
Generally, toothaches disappear and recur depending entirely on the cause. In case you have tooth pain while lying down, there’s a high chance that the pressure found elsewhere in or around your mouth is contributing to the problem.
4 Reasons Why Your Tooth Pain Is More Severe At Night
Lying down
When you lie down in your bed, your head automatically drops down to the same level as the heart, lungs, and limbs. An even field of blood flow and pressure is immediately created, resulting in a rush of blood to your face, mouth, sinuses, and brain. This excess blood pressure can press on your mouth and act as a trigger for sensitive areas, making them hurt more than normal.
On a different note, most people feel additional sinus pressure when they lay down at night. If the hurting teeth are in your upper jaw, you will first have to rule out any sinus infection, congestion, or allergies that are to blame.
Fewer distractions
During the night, we become more aware of what is going on with our bodies and all the sensations because there are fewer distractions in our brains. Though we might think that our toothache gets worse, this is incorrect. The truth is we just feel the pain more because we clear our minds to fall asleep. Think of it: the same thing happens when you have the flu and you have a fever- the symptoms seem more painful and irritable at night.
Late-night meals
This is an obvious and understandable reason. If you have a midnight or dinner snack, especially if it is sweet, some of the food will get stuck between your teeth. Plaques thrive on sugar, and forgetting to brush your teeth or floss after a late-night meal can lead to toothaches.
Unconscious grinding
Many people grind their teeth at night, unconsciously. As a result, they wake up in the morning squirming in pain because teeth grinding puts stress on the jaws, teeth, and gums. Teeth grinding can be a serious condition and it needs the right care and treatment.
7 home remedies for pain relief
Even though toothache pain cannot be reduced completely and cannot be completely cured, there are some home remedies that can help you with the pain.
Over-the-counter pain medications
Over-the-counter or OTC pain medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen are the quickest, easiest way for many people to efficiently lessen mild-to-moderate toothaches. Always follow the directions on the package regarding dosage. If the toothache gets more severe, the next step would be to see a professional dentist and talk to them about stronger pain relievers.
Cold compress
Cold compresses may assist in easing the pain of a toothache. A bag of ice wrapped in a towel applied to the affected side of the face and jaw helps in constricting the blood vessels in the area. This in return will reduce the pain and allow you to fall asleep.
Using a cold compress for 15 to 20 minutes every couple of hours during the evening may also help in preventing pain before retiring to bed. Applying a cold compress to the area for 15–20 minutes every few hours in the evening may also help prevent pain when getting to bed.
Medicated ointments
There are several medicated ointments that can also help ease toothache pain. Over-the-counter numbing gels and ointments that contain compounds such as benzocaine help numb the area. Despite this, the product is not recommended for use by children.
Saltwater rinse
Saltwater rinses are the most commonly used home treatment for toothache. Acting as a natural antibacterial agent, saltwater may reduce inflammation. This, of course, helps protect damaged teeth from infection. Saltwater rinses may additionally help to remove any food particles stuck in the teeth and/or gums.
Hydrogen peroxide rinse
Periodontitis is one of the most serious gum infections that comes as a result of poor oral care. It might be the cause of symptoms such as soreness, bleeding gums, and teeth becoming loose in their sockets. Studies have shown that rinsing with hydrogen peroxide mouthwashes can help reduce plaque and the symptoms of periodontitis.
Hydrogen peroxide should, however, be mitigated with equal parts of water. The solution can be swished in the mouth but not swallowed. Just like medical ointments, this remedy is also not recommended for children, as they might accidentally swallow the mixture.
Peppermint tea
Sucking on peppermint tea bags or swishing peppermint tea may temporarily relieve pain from a toothache. Researchers have found that peppermint contains antibacterial and antioxidant ingredients. Menthol, the biggest compound in peppermint, is especially effective at mildly numbing sensitive areas.
Garlic
Garlic is a common ingredient found in every household and it is a solution for many people to relieve toothache pain. The main compound in garlic, called Allicin, has a powerful antibacterial effect that can help kill the bacteria in your mouth that causes cavities or/and tooth pain.
By simply chewing a clove of garlic and letting it sit near the tooth, you might help relieve the pain. That being said, due to the taste of it being too potent for some people, it might not be the most suitable solution for everyone.
What is the right time to visit the dentist?
If you are suffering from a toothache, make sure to monitor it for the next 24 hours. Pain that gradually fades away may simply be irritation. But if the pain is persistent, it is time to make an appointment. Furthermore, we will present you below some of the cases you should schedule an appointment with your dentist:
- The pain is relentless
- Your toothache lasts longer than 48 hours
- You have pain when chewing or speaking, accompanied by fever and headache
- You have difficulty breathing
Prevention
Home treatments are only useful for temporarily relieving pain. To prevent more damage from happening to your teeth you will need prevention methods, such as:
- Keep up with proper oral hygiene to maintain your teeth and mouth clean and healthy
- Use a gentle brush to prevent irritability and wear teeth down
- Limit the number of acidic foods and beverages to prevent dissolving tooth enamel
- Schedule regular check-ups with the dentist
- Use a mouthguard at night to prevent injury to your teeth, in case you grind your teeth at night
Outlook
Pain in the mouth and sensitivity to the teeth can be treated with several home remedies. To alleviate oral pain, it is recommended to seek professional assistance. It may be possible to ease the pain temporarily with home remedies, but the cause of your discomfort may not be cured.
The symptoms may persist for several days, which may require additional treatment. Contact Dr. Roland Zhuka and he will evaluate your specific case to give you a free quote for the best treatment for you. At Dr. Roland Zhuka’s clinic you will find the best prices for dental treatments in Albania!