You probably already know that brushing and flossing can prevent common oral issues, such as cavities and gum disease, to safeguard your smile. However, that doesn’t mean that you’ll never experience a dental emergency.
For instance, you might develop a severe or persistent toothache overnight when your dentist’s office is closed. It can be difficult to wait for relief, especially if you can’t get comfortable enough to fall asleep. If the pain is keeping you awake, continue reading to learn about 3 helpful tips for getting some much-needed rest!
Tip #1: Prop Your Head Up
Have you noticed that the throbbing sensation in your troublesome tooth worsens when you lie down? This may be because the horizontal position allows blood to flow to your head and stay there, putting additional pressure against the already aching nerves and exacerbating your discomfort.
Thankfully, you can prevent this by sleeping in your favorite recliner instead of lying down in bed. If you don’t have a favorite easy chair available, you can also prop your head on a pile of pillows or blankets to keep it at an angle that improves circulation and reduces swelling.
Tip #2: Change the Temperature
If you have a toothache that won’t subside and are struggling to sleep, you might try holding an ice pack to the sore side of your face for about 15 minutes at a time. This provides a temporary numbing sensation that can alleviate your discomfort long enough for you to drift off to sleep.
Alternatively, if your gums are infected or sore, you can try rinsing with warm salt water. You can make your own solution by mixing about ½ tsp into a cup of warm water, then stirring until it’s fully dissolved. Sipping, swishing, and spitting until the glass is empty can naturally disinfect your mouth while withdrawing excess fluids from your tissues for some much-needed relief.
Tip #3: Take Medication
You might be worried that taking over-the-counter medications will negatively interfere with your dental health in some way, but it’s usually safe to take Tylenol or ibuprofen to address oral aches and inflammations. However, you should follow the dosage instructions carefully, and shouldn’t take any more medication than you might for a headache.
You might also try applying an oral gel containing benzocaine directly to your achy tooth for a well-earned reprieve from the pain. Many stores and pharmacies carry various products containing numbing medications, like Orajel, intended for oral use.
Hopefully, these tips and tricks can get you comfortably through the night so you’ll feel rested when you contact your dentist first thing in the morning!
About the Practice
At Dental Designs of Maryland, you and your family benefit from a team of dentists dedicated to helping people of all ages build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. Our providers are committed to providing a comprehensive menu of quality services to meet all your needs under one roof, including same-day visits for dental emergencies. Their compassionate approach is combined with advanced technology to improve patient comfort while delivering accurate treatment results intended to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (443) 936-2899.