8 Methods To Get Rid Of Unbearable Toothache At Night

If you suffer from toothache and it seems to increase at night, you need to take adequate medication to reduce the pain. Mild to moderate toothache can interfere with your sleep cycle, proving quite stressful. You can resolve severe toothache with medication, but you might need to opt for a more permanent solution such as a root canal or even tooth removal. However, you should first consult a dentist and follow his instructions, and if he suggests that you need to undergo a procedure for tooth removal or RCT only then should you opt for these.

Some of the steps that you can take to reduce your toothache, especially at night, are described in this article.

Suitable medications

One of the easiest ways to reduce toothache would be to take painkillers. They fall into two categories: mild over-the-counter painkillers and those prescribed by medical practitioners. The OTC painkillers typically contain ibuprofen or acetaminophen and are effective only in reducing mild pain. But if you are suffering from severe pain, you need to take painkillers prescribed by your dentist. They can prescribe more potent painkillers that are effective against severe pain.

Applying cold compress

Sometimes applying a cold compress can help reduce toothache, but it is effective only in case of moderate toothache. When you apply a cold compress on your jaw or on the tooth where it is hurting, you will find that the pain is reducing. But it would be best if you remembered that a cold compress relieves you of the pain; it will only help take away the edge of the pain. The sharpness of the pain will reduce, making it easier for you to tolerate the pain. This will help you sleep better.

Anti-inflammatory drugs

When you take anti-inflammatory medication, it can help reduce your pain. Doctors always prescribe these drugs, and you will need to take these medicines continuously after a gap of a few hours. This is because the effect of these pain reliever wears out in a few hours, and you will need to take another dose.

Take care that you do not exceed the prescribed dosage of the anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs usually work as inhibitors preventing the neural signals from reaching your brain. So when your doctor prescribes these medicines, ensure that you do not exceed the prescribed dose.

Rinsing with saltwater

This is a home remedy that can help reduce the edge of your toothache. When you rinse with salt water, you will find that minor wounds can heal. Sometimes toothaches can be caused by wounds inside your mouth and gums. Saltwater rinsing can help heal these wounds and reduce the pain. But it is also essential that you do not overdo it. Sometimes, your dentist may ask you to add mild water-soluble painkillers to the saltwater solution to help reduce the pain.

Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash

If your toothache is quite severe and you still feel pain after taking the OTC painkiller, you can choose to rinse your mouth with a suitable mouthwash. Sometimes toothaches are caused due to abscesses or infections in the gum. In such cases, rinsing your mouth with a mouthwash prescribed by your dentist can help reduce the pain. All you have to do is check whether a type of painkiller is as a primary ingredient of the mouthwash as this can help take the edge off your toothache. In addition, this will help you sleep better at night because most toothaches tend to flare up at night.

Sleeping in an elevated position

Another way of reducing your toothache at night would be to sleep in an elevated position. For instance, you take a few pillows and try to sleep with your head at a higher position than the rest of your body. This will prevent blood pooling in your head and reduce inflammation. This is essential to take the edge off the pain and make it easier for you to fall asleep. This is just a solution that can help reduce the edge of your toothache.

Using ointments to numb the pain

Sometimes direct application of ointments to the infected region can help reduce toothache. For instance, the toothache could be caused by inflammation of the gums or an infection. Then one of the ways of reducing the pain would be to apply a medicated ointment to numb the region. Here you will need to take a small amount of the ointment or gel on your finger and apply it directly to the affected tooth. This will numb the region and reduce the pain. This method effectively reduces toothache for quite some time, and you will find that you can sleep comfortably.

Finding a permanent solution

If your toothache is caused due to cavities or an infection of the tooth that requires removal of the damaged tooth, you should opt for this solution at the earliest. Sometimes, infections can become persistent problems, leading to permanent damage to your teeth. If you find that your toothache is unbearable, you should consult a dentist. He will evaluate the condition of your teeth and suggest whether you require having the tooth removed or you need to undergo a root canal treatment. In most cases, cavities need a permanent solution; otherwise, the toothache will keep coming back.

When you choose a particular method to reduce toothache, the first thing you need to evaluate is the extent of the pain. Sometimes unbearable pain needs immediate consultation with a dentist. If you do not resolve the problem at the earliest, it can lead to severe infections, requiring prolonged treatments. Plaque and periodontitis are tooth infections that can become quite severe if left untreated. You might feel that you reduce the pain by using mouthwashes and successfully keeping the infection at bay. But in reality, it is not so. Therefore, whenever you suffer from severe toothache, you must consult a dentist and follow the pain medications that he prescribes.