Toothache at night: 6 tips for emergency toothache relief, causes&prevention

Toothaches are unbearable at night and affect our sleep. It is important to understand the cause and to know the tips for emergency toothache relief.

6 Tips for Emergency Toothache Relief

1. Cold Compress

A cold compress can play a quick role in relieving pain, it is an emergency toothache relief method. You need to first put an ice pack or ice cubes in a plastic bag, then wrap it with a thin cloth and put it on the side of the toothache for 15 minutes to numb the nerve, it can also reduce inflammation and swelling. It’s best not to apply cold compressions for too long to avoid frostbite.

2. Relieve Toothache with Cloves

Clove in the eugenol is a natural antiseptic, that can effectively relieve toothache symptoms. You can place a small amount of clove or clove powder on the toothache and chew gently until it releases the clove oil. In addition, you can apply two to three drops of clove oil to the affected area until the pain is relieved.

3. Gargle with Salt Water or Mouthwash

Saltwater is a natural disinfectant and gargling with it is a simple and effective way to treat toothache. You can add half a spoon of salt to 250ml of warm water and stir until the salt is completely melted. Then hold warm salt water in your mouth for about five seconds and spit it out. This will clean your mouth, help prevent swollen gums and relieve toothache. Mouthwash containing alcohol has a disinfecting and numbing effect on the teeth and can be used for gargling when you have a toothache.

4. Rinse with Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide has strong oxidizing properties and can play a role in sterilization and pain relief. It can not only reduce plaque but also heal minor gum bleeding. You can use it as a mouthwash for gargling. But you need to mix 100ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide concentration with 100ml of water before you can use it and be careful not to swallow it by mistake.

5. Take Toothache Painkillers

If you have toothache Toothache at night, and not convenient to go to emergency dental treatment, toothache painkillers can help you temporarily relieve pain, so you can sleep smoothly. Then you can wake up the next day and go back to the dentist for help.

6. Seek the Help of an Endodontist

If the toothache is severe, it may be caused by endodontic disease and you need to seek the help of an endodontist at your dental office as soon as possible.

9 Causes of Toothache

1. Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the main cause of toothache. Tooth decay is the main cause of toothache. When bacteria destroy the enamel and enter the pulp chamber, the sensitive tooth nerve becomes painful.

2. Pulpitis

When the pulp infection develops to the root of the tooth, it will lead to pus around the root of the tooth, forming pus pockets and causing a toothache.

3. Hidden Tooth Fracture

External impact or gnawing on hard objects can cause cracks in the tooth, even deep into the root, which can cause pain from hot or cold stimulation in mild cases and can cause severe pain directly to the tooth in severe cases.

4. Wisdom Tooth Growth

The wisdom tooth is the third-largest human molar, mostly erupting between the ages of 16-25. It will break through the gums and some even grow horizontally, so it can’t be seen at all without taking dental films. Even if you can’t see it, it can squeeze other teeth, which can cause toothache. You should remove wisdom teeth as recommended by your doctor if they are crooked.

5. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

TMJ problems are classified as jaw joint disorders, but they can also affect dental health.

6. Gum Disease

Gingivitis or periodontal disease can also cause toothache, which requires you to adhere to treatment to effectively improve.

7. Cervical Abrasion

Long-term horizontal brushing will lead to the destruction of the tooth enamel at the neck of the tooth, thus exposing the internal dental nerve, and the tooth becomes mini-sensitive and prone to pain.

8. Sinusitis

The maxillary sinus is adjacent to the alveolar bone, and sinus inflammation can easily spread to the roots of maxillary teeth, causing tooth pain. In addition, the trigeminal nerve that governs the maxillary sinus is also located in the alveolar bone, which can cause radiating toothache when the maxillary sinus is inflamed.

9. Grinding Teeth

Severe teeth grinding can cause a huge biting force on the teeth, far beyond the normal range of teeth. Toothache pads can be used to reduce the burden on the teeth.

How to Prevent Toothache?

1. Brush your teeth every day

Brush your teeth in the morning and evening, and use the Bachmann brushing method to avoid horizontal brushing, otherwise, it will easily cause cervical abrasion.

2. Regular Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings

You should have regular dental checkups and cleanings, usually once a year. If you are diagnosed with dental caries, pulpitis, or other oral problems, you should be treated as soon as possible. If the wisdom teeth are not growing well, they should also be removed in time.

3. Eat Less Candy, Drink Less Carbonated Drinks

High-sugar snacks and carbonated beverages can corrode your teeth and damage them gradually. You should eat less of this kind of food and rinse your mouth in time after eating.

4. Avoid Eating Sour, Cold, or Hard Food before Going to Bed

Acidic, cold or too hard food can easily stimulate the lesion and cause toothache. If you have experienced a toothache, you should avoid eating these irritating foods before going to bed, otherwise, it is easy to trigger secondary pain.

Summing Up

Toothache can seriously affect our normal life, so we should pay attention to oral health, prevent dental diseases, and master the methods to relieve toothache. Some people feel that dental treatment is too expensive and the process is tedious, so they are reluctant to seek dental clinics. If your toothache is very severe, it may be caused by endodontic disease, so you need to seek the help of an endodontist at a dental clinic as soon as possible.