If you haven’t been able to have your toothache treated by an emergency dentist yet, then you’re probably looking for ways to make the pain more manageable at night. All too often, a toothache can make it more difficult to get enough sleep. But if you follow the right steps, you can reduce your discomfort and enjoy the rest that you deserve. Here are 5 ways to make sleeping with a toothache easier.
1. Make Good Use of Over-the-Counter Medication
Over-the-counter pain medication may not get rid of your toothache for good, but the temporary relief it provides can make a significant difference at night. Try taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen shortly before bed to keep your toothache under control. It may also help to use a numbing paste or gel that contains benzocaine.
2. Keep Your Head Raised
When you lie down to go to sleep, blood rushes to your head; this can have the unfortunate side effect of making your tooth pain even worse. It’s therefore best to find a way to keep your head elevated while you sleep. An easy solution is to stack a few pillows on top of each other. You can also try investing in a particularly thick pillow.
3. Be Careful of What You Eat in the Evenings
Sometimes acidic, cold, or hard foods can make tooth pain worse, which is obviously the last thing you want when you’re trying to get some sleep. As such, it’s important to be mindful of whatever you eat in the evening; you will want to stay away from any foods that might aggravate your dental discomfort.
4. Apply an Ice Pack Shortly Before Bedtime
An ice pack can help dull your oral discomfort and reduce any swelling in your gums that might be present. As such, it can be a good idea to apply an ice pack right before the time you would normally start getting ready for bed. Remember, it’s best to only use ice packs for 15-minute intervals.
5. Try Using Clove Oil
Clove oil is sometimes suggested as a natural remedy for tooth pain, and it could potentially be worth trying if you need help managing your discomfort. You can hold a cotton ball soaked in clove oil over the tooth in question for several minutes. Like with over-the-counter medication, the relief will only be temporary, but it can still make your nights more restful.
No matter what measures you’re taking to deal with your tooth pain at home, it’s best to make arrangements to see your dentist as soon as you can. They’ll be able to determine what’s causing your toothache and determine the best way to put a stop to your pain for good.
About the Practice
Here at Rausch Family Dentistry, our dentists take a friendly approach to dental care, and we always carefully personalize our services to meet the unique needs of our patients. When toothaches and other dental emergencies strike, we offer convenient same-day appointments and a wide variety of treatments. If you would like to schedule an emergency visit at our practice in Stone Mountain, contact us by calling (770) 931-3388.
