Although brushing and flossing twice daily remove harmful plaque and bacteria that contribute to common dental concerns, like cavities or gum disease, there’s unfortunately no guarantee that you’ll never have an oral emergency.
For instance, you might develop a sudden or severe toothache after your dentist’s office closes for the day. That means you might have to wait until the next day to reach out for a same-day visit to address it. If you’re feeling too sore to get a good night’s sleep, continue reading to learn about 3 tips that might help!
Tip #1: Gently Rinse Your Mouth
There are many potential reasons for a toothache, and some are more severe than others. For instance, it can be caused by damaged enamel, gum disease, or something lodged between your teeth.
Before assuming the worst about the state of your smile, it can sometimes be helpful to gently rinse your mouth with salt water to ensure your discomfort isn’t caused by a trapped object. To do so, mix about ½ tsp of salt into a glass of water and stir until dissolved. Then, sip the mixture, swish it around your mouth, then spit it out. Repeat until your cup is empty.
You might even floss around your sore tooth to remove anything that might have slid beneath your gums to cause the irritation that’s keeping you awake.
Tip #2: Keep Your Head Elevated
Have you noticed that the throbbing sensation seems to intensify the moment you lie down to try to get some shut-eye? This can sometimes happen if your pain is caused by an infection, which triggers fluid buildup that places uncomfortable pressure on the sensitive nerves inside your tooth. Shifting from a vertical position to resting vertically allows gravity to pull blood flow toward your head, increasing the force pressing against the nerve.
You can prevent this by propping your head on several pillows to keep or trying to sleep in your favorite recliner instead.
Tip #3: Take Over-the-Counter Medications
Many patients also find some much-needed relief by taking the recommended dosage of over-the-counter medications, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These options can potentially reduce tenderness and inflammation to take the edge off your toothache long enough for you to catch some z’s.
Then, when you wake up in the morning, you can contact your provider for a same-day emergency visit so they can identify and treat the underlying cause of your dental discomfort!
Meet the Author
Dr. Hui Zhang enjoys building lasting relationships with patients to better help them build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. She graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, which is the top-ranked dental school in the country, then joined the Global Initiative Program to promote dental school in developing countries. Today, she offers a comprehensive menu of services, including same-day emergency care and Saturday availability, to meet all your unique needs under one roof. If you have a toothache and need help, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (940) 946-0055.