Have you ever had a toothache? Having pain or discomfort in your tooth can make it difficult to complete tasks at work or school. It can also make it hard for you to sleep through the night, especially since toothaches often seem to get worse during this time. But why is that? Continue reading to learn about why toothaches are often worse at night time as well as how to get enough sleep until you can see your emergency dentist and receive the treatment you need.
Why Are Toothaches More Noticeable at Night?
Bruxism is an oral health condition that is characterized by clenching of the jaw and grinding of the teeth. Sleep bruxism refers to the same thing but while you’re asleep. This condition can lead to a range of issues, including dental pain.
Additionally, the amount of blood flow to the head tends to intensify when you lay down. This can cause additional pressure to be put on sensitive areas in the mouth. As a result, existing tooth pain may become worse.
6 Tips for Sleeping Through the Night with a Toothache
If you have a toothache, it’s important to contact your dentist. They will fit you in as soon as possible to get to the bottom of the issue. In the meantime, there are a few ways that you can make it through the night, such as:
- Elevate your head – This can help you avoid that rush of blood to your head that causes the toothache to worsen.
- Practice good oral hygiene – Brushing your teeth once in the morning and once each as well as flossing before you go to bed will lessen your risk of oral health issues like cavities.
- Take pain medication – This can lessen dental discomfort and may make it easier to sleep through the night. Be sure to take over-the-counter pain relievers as instructed on the bottle or package.
- Rinse your mouth –Add 1/2 a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Gargle with this mixture to sooth tooth pain and kill bacteria.
- Use a cold compress – An ice pack or cold compress on the affected area can numb discomfort and help with inflammation. Do so in 15-minute intervals.
- Avoid certain foods – Don’t consume overly hot or cold, acidic, sweet, or sharp foods or beverages since they may increase tooth discomfort.
About the Practice
If you are a patient in the Cambria area who is dealing with tooth pain, you have come to the right place. Cambria Smiles takes pride in helping patients care for their smiles through a range of effective treatments. This includes dental exams to determine the cause of the toothache and procedures to get rid of the discomfort. Before you know it, your smile will be as good as new. To learn more about Cambria Smiles or to set up an appointment, call their office at (805) 927-4811 or visit their website.