A toothache is a dreadful irritation, especially in the middle of the night. When you have a throbbing toothache at night, it might be difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.
There are, however, a number of therapies that may help patients find relief and sleep, such as taking pain medicines, applying a cold compress, or even chewing on cloves.
Learn about nine home remedies for toothache relief at night in this article.
Ways of Dealing with a Toothache at Mid-Night
It may be really challenging to treat a toothache at night because there isn’t much to distract a person from the discomfort.
What You Can Do
If you have a toothache, it’s decisive to learn what’s causing your agony. You can then figure out how to tackle any swelling, pain, or other symptoms.
Minor irritation can usually be treated with a saltwater rinse and a cold compress, but more significant toothaches may require the assistance of a dentist.
Consult your dentist if your symptoms last longer than a day or two. They can render you some advice on how to get rid of your symptoms and avoid future agony.
If you’re breastfeeding, pregnant, or have a medical condition that could be affected by herbal substances, consult your dentist before practicing any of the following cures.
People can, however, use the following pain-relieving methods:
Extract of Vanilla
The vanilla extract incorporates alcohol, which can be used to help with pain relief. Its antioxidant properties have been established. Its abilities as a Trusted Source also make it a powerful healer. Just make sure you use real vanilla instead of fake.
Apply a small amount of vanilla extract to your finger or a cotton ball to employ this cure. Several times per day, apply it immediately to the affected area.
Oral Pain Relievers
Many people discover that taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) relieves mild-to-moderate toothaches quickly and effectively.
Always follow the package’s dosing instructions. If you have a relentless toothache, visit your dentist and inquire about stronger pain relievers.
Using a Cold Compress
A cold compress might help relieve the discomfort of a toothache. Administering a bag of ice encased in a towel to the affected side of the face or jaw reduces pain and allows someone to fall asleep. Affixing a cold compress to the area for 15–20 minutes every few hours throughout the evening may also help you sleep better.
Elevation
Blood pooling in the brain can exacerbate discomfort and inflammation. For other folks, lifting their head with an extra pillow or two may be enough to put them to sleep.
Medicated Ointments
Some medicinal ointments may also assist in the alleviation of toothache distress. Numbing gels ointments and gels with chemicals like benzocaine may be practiced over-the-counter to numb the area.
Benzocaine, on the other hand, is not endorsed for usage by children under the age of eight.
Rinse with Salt Water
For a toothache, a simple saltwater treatment is a popular home cure. Because saltwater is a natural antibacterial agent, it may help to relieve inflammation. This, in turn, serves to keep infected teeth at bay.
Rinsing with salt water can also assist in removing any food particles or debris that has become caught between the teeth or gums.
Rinse with Hydrogen Peroxide
Periodontitis is a dangerous gum infection that is often caused by poor oral hygiene. It can lead to bleeding gums, discomfort, and teeth coming loose from their sockets. According to the author of a 2016 study, rinsing with hydrogen peroxide mouthwash helped reduce plaque and periodontitis symptoms.
Food-grade hydrogen peroxide should always be diluted with equal parts of water. Do not swallow the solution; swish it around in your mouth. This medicine is not suited for youngsters because there is a risk of them swallowing the mixture by accident.
Peppermint Tea
Sucking on peppermint tea bags or taking swishing peppermint tea will temporarily relieve dental pain.
According to studies, peppermint contains antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Menthol, the primary component of peppermint, has a modest numbing effect on sensitive areas.
Clove
Eugenol, one of the primary components in cloves, can aid in reducing dental pain. As reported by the findings of a 2015 scientific inquiry, those who administered eugenol to their socket and gums after having a tooth extracted noticed reduced discomfort and inflammation during the healing process.
Eugenol is an analgesic, meaning it relieves pain by numbing the affected area. To treat a toothache with cloves, make a paste by soaking ground cloves in water. The paste can then be applied directly to the tooth or placed in an empty tea bag and swallowed.
Sucking or chewing on a single clove and placing it near the affected tooth may also help relieve pain. This remedy is not recommended for children since they may drink too much clove. When a single clove is consumed, it might be prickly and unpleasant.
Leaves of Guava
Guava leaves are anti-inflammatory and can aid in wound healing. They also harbor antibacterial properties that can support dental hygiene. To utilize this cure, chew on fresh guava leaves or prepare a mouthwash by combining crushed guava leaves with boiling water.
Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass has a vast range of health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting characteristics. It contains a variety of nutrients, including a high level of chlorophyll, which aids in the battle against bacteria. Wheatgrass can be consumed or used as a mouthwash.
Thyme
Thyme also possesses antibacterial and antioxidant qualities, which can aid in the treatment of toothaches. It may even aid in the fight against bacteria that cause tooth decay. To use, combine thyme essential oil with a carrier oil and apply to the affected area. You may also fix a mouthwash by combining a drop of the oil with a small glass of water.
Garlic
Some people use garlic, a common home product, to reduce toothache discomfort. Garlic’s primary ingredient, allicin, has a potent antibacterial activity that may aid in the killing of germs in the mouth that cause cavities and tooth discomfort.
Simply chewing on a garlic clove and allowing it to sit near the tooth for a few minutes will help relieve pain. On the other hand, raw garlic has a strong flavor for certain individuals, so it may not be the greatest option for everyone.
Causes of Toothache
A toothache is frequently caused by tooth decay. If a person does not solicit treatment for tooth decay, cavities may develop.
Cavities form when bacteria and acids eat away at the sensitive tissues inside the tooth, causing the enamel to break down. This can expose the nerve, resulting in pain ranging from mild to severe. Some people may get toothache as a result of a sinus infection. As the infection drains from the skull, this symptom appears. The infection’s symptoms, such as pain and pressure, may ache more at night.
A toothache can also be caused by the following factors:
- having a filling fall out
- abscesses in the teeth
- an injury to the jaw
- a wisdom tooth or adult tooth is about to erupt
- food caught between the teeth or between the gums
- teeth grinding at night
- periodontitis (gum disease)
What Causes Some Toothaches to be More Painful at Night?
Toothaches can be uncomfortable throughout the day, but they often seem to worsen at night.
Blood speeds to the head when a person is lying down, which could explain why this happens. This more blood in the area may exacerbate the discomfort and pressure associated with a toothache.
Many ailments are exacerbated at night because there are fewer distractions.
With nothing else to think about other than toothache, falling asleep may be tough.
When Should You See a Dentist?
If you experience a toothache in the middle of the night, you should see a dentist as quickly as possible. Home cures are only intended to provide temporary relief. If a toothache is accompanied by additional indicators of infection, antibiotics may be required to clear the infection.
A person should visit their dentist if they are experiencing discomfort from a fractured or decayed tooth. They will be apt to come up with a long-term solution. Ignoring indicators of dental decay, such as a throbbing tooth, can drive to grave complications, such as gum disease, abscesses, and tooth loss.
Other Natural Solutions
The following cures can be done at home, but you may need to purchase the materials from a health food emporium or order them online.
Because your teeth, mouth, and gums are likely sensitive at this time, buying these ingredients from a reliable source is very crucial. This can help you avoid being irritated.
In Conclusion
Having a toothache is a painful experience. Many home cures can provide short relief and aid in sleeping, but they are not long-term answers.
Anyone who has a toothache that lasts more than a day or two and does not have symptoms of a sinus infection should see a dentist for a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. They might need to fill a cavity or contemplate more serious procedures like root canals or tooth extractions.
