Tooth Pain at Night: What Should You Do?

Why Does Tooth Pain Get Worse at Night?

A tooth that barely bothered you during the day can become impossible to ignore once you get into bed.

There are a few reasons this can happen. When you lie down, changes in blood flow and pressure around your head may make existing dental pain feel more intense. At night, there are also fewer distractions, so every pulse and twinge becomes harder to ignore.

The pain itself may be caused by tooth decay, inflammation inside the tooth, a cracked tooth or a dental infection. Sometimes, the discomfort has been building for days before it finally starts keeping you awake.

Night-time toothache isn't something to brush off. If it keeps returning or interrupts your sleep, it's worth finding out what's causing it.

First Aid for Toothache: What Can You Do Right Now?

When your tooth starts throbbing in the middle of the night, you need relief that is safe and simple. These steps may help you manage the discomfort until you can see a dentist.

1. Keep Your Head Elevated

Try sleeping with an extra pillow so your head stays slightly raised. Lying completely flat may make the throbbing sensation feel worse.

2. Apply a Cold Compress

If your cheek feels swollen or painful, hold a cold compress wrapped in a towel against the outside of your cheek. Apply it for short intervals, allowing your skin to rest between applications.
Never place ice directly against your tooth or gums.

3. Rinse With Warm Salt Water

Mix half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Gently rinse your mouth and spit it out. This can help clear food debris and soothe irritated tissues, but it won't treat the underlying cause of a toothache.

4. Consider Suitable Pain Relief

Over-the-counter pain relief, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, may help reduce dental pain if you can safely take it. Follow the package instructions and check with a pharmacist if you're unsure which medicine is suitable for you.
Don't exceed the recommended dose or combine medicines without checking that it's safe.

5. Avoid Anything That Triggers the Pain

Skip very hot, cold, sweet or hard foods. If you need to eat, choose something soft and chew on the opposite side of your mouth.

6. Keep Your Mouth Clean
Brush gently around the painful tooth. If food is trapped between your teeth, carefully use dental floss to remove it. Avoid pressing or digging into the painful area.

One thing to remember: Never place aspirin directly on your tooth or gums. It can burn and damage the surrounding tissue.

What Should You Do If Your Tooth Hurts Until Morning?

If the pain is manageable and you have no warning signs, use the steps above to make yourself more comfortable and contact a dentist as soon as the clinic opens.

But don't mistake temporary relief for a solution.

Painkillers may quiet the pain. A cold compress may reduce discomfort. You might even wake up feeling much better. None of these steps can repair a cavity, treat an inflamed dental nerve or clear a dental infection.

If the pain keeps you awake, returns repeatedly or gets worse, arrange a dental examination promptly rather than waiting for another sleepless night.

When Should You Not Wait Until Morning?

Some symptoms need urgent attention. Don't try to sleep through them or rely on painkillers alone.
Seek urgent dental care if you experience:

• Severe or worsening tooth pain that isn't relieved by appropriate pain medication.
• Swelling around your cheek or jaw.
• Fever or feeling generally unwell alongside tooth pain.
• Pus or an unpleasant taste in your mouth.
• Difficulty opening your mouth.

Get emergency medical help immediately if swelling spreads towards your eye or neck, or if you have difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking.

These symptoms can indicate a spreading infection that needs immediate medical attention.

Find Out What's Causing Your Tooth Pain

A toothache that keeps you awake is more than an inconvenience. It may be a sign of decay, inflammation, nerve damage or an infection that needs treatment.

At Maxilla Dental Clinic in Riga, an examination can help identify the cause of your pain and determine what needs to happen next. Whether the problem requires a filling, root canal treatment or another approach, your dentist can explain the findings and discuss suitable treatment options.

You don't have to guess what's happening or wait until the pain becomes unbearable.

Book an examination at Maxilla Dental Clinic and get answers before another night of toothache.