A toothache is not an uncommon condition. Many people experience one at one time or another, in varying degrees of severity. When one hits during the night, it can affect your ability to sleep well and get the rest you need. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to relieve the pain and discomfort. In addition, you can take preventive measures to keep toothaches away altogether and enjoy good oral health.
When a person feels pain in and around the tooth, the cause is often tooth decay. This comes because the individual has not brushed or flossed effectively. The pain and discomfort can increase as the cavity grows and spreads. If it reaches the pulp of the tooth, where nerves and vessels are, an abscess can develop. The tooth pain here can be intense and feel unbearable.
Other factors can contribute to pain in the tooth. Breaking or cracking a tooth can produce the same effect. Damaging a filling is another possible source of the pain. When gums become infected, the tissue will become irritated, and the tooth could suffer the effects too. When teeth erupt, some people experience discomfort as well.
Many times, a toothache will affect a person at night. This can interrupt sleep patterns, keeping the person up all night. Pain in the tooth during the nighttime can also be problematic because it is more difficult to get immediate help from the dentist. A general dentist’s office will be closed, so the patient may have to seek emergency help if the pain is severe.
During the night, taking medication such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen can help relieve a toothache. The person should take the drugs as directed. It is important to take the correct dosage and not take doses too closely together. Alternating between these two over-the-counter medications can be effective.
Along with pain, a toothache can cause swelling around the tooth and in the jaw. Using a cold-compression pack can reduce the swelling. During the night, the individual can keep an ice pack on the affected area for about 20 minutes at a time. After this period, the person can leave the pack off and then put it back on again for another 20 minutes. This can also help to numb the pain.
Another possible solution for a toothache is to gently rinse with salt water. For the most effective results, stir ½ a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Rinsing with warm salt water can dislodge debris from in between the teeth. The salt water can also act as a disinfectant.
If a toothache is bothering you at night, there are steps you can take at home to relieve the pain. Before you can get to the dentist’s office in the morning, try these possible solutions. Then, get in touch with the dentist as soon as you can the following day. The dentist can treat the cause of the symptoms, but you can minimize the pain.
Request an appointment here: https://sunvalleydentalcare.com or call Sun Valley Dental Care at (619) 413-1121 for an appointment in our El Cajon office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Toothache in El Cajon, CA.
Practicing preventive dentistry at home allows you to reap many benefits for your general health. Brushing and flossing every day is a basic way of keeping your mouth in good shape. Having healthy teeth and gums helps support your whole body’s health. If you want to find out why good everyday dental hygiene is important…
If a lost tooth is not replaced by replacement options like dental implants, you may find normal oral functions like eating and speaking somewhat challenging. The smile’s alignment and appearance will also be affected, but that is not all. Tooth loss causes bone deterioration. Dental implants can halt the progression of bone loss, but the…
General dentistry includes the restoration of damaged teeth, which may refer to cavities or aesthetic issues, such as staining, chipping, or cracking. Thankfully, there are many ways to restore teeth that have become damaged.The type of damage that occurs will determine what type of restoration is needed. General dentists can identify this as soon as…
If your dentist has diagnosed you with gum disease, you should seek treatment right away. If you do not address this problem quickly, it can become increasingly more serious. The faster you identify this condition, the more likely you are to treat it effectively. With the right intervention at the right time, you can reverse…
Practicing preventive dentistry at home allows you to reap many benefits for your general health. Brushing and flossing every day is a basic way of keeping your mouth in good shape. Having healthy teeth and gums helps support your whole body’s health. If you want to find out why good everyday dental hygiene is important…
If a lost tooth is not replaced by replacement options like dental implants, you may find normal oral functions like eating and speaking somewhat challenging. The smile’s alignment and appearance will also be affected, but that is not all. Tooth loss causes bone deterioration. Dental implants can halt the progression of bone loss, but the…