3 MORE TIPS AND TRICKS FOR RELIEVING A TOOTHACHE AT NIGHT
It’s important to get plenty of sleep, especially when you have a toothache and haven’t been able to see the emergency dentist yet, but sometimes the pain will keep you up at night. You might have tried conventional pain medication, but it doesn’t seem to work for you; what other options can you try? Here are 3 tricks your dentist might suggest for treating your toothache pain so that you can get some rest.
1. Medicated Ointments
If pills don’t seem to help, you can try medicine that’s applied directly to your gums. There are plenty of over the counter gels and ointments (such as Orajel) that contain an ingredient called benzocaine. It can numb the area around the tooth so that you can settle down for the night. However, you should avoid giving benzocaine products to babies younger than 24 months of age; it may potentially lead to a rare but severe condition that causes shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, and could even be fatal. Talk to your dentist before using any sort of medicated ointment.
2. Salt Water Rinse
Salt water is a tried and true home remedy for treating tooth pain. It helps fight the bacteria that cause oral infections and can also reduce inflammation and swelling around the tooth. As a bonus, you could also wash away any food particles or debris stuck in your teeth and gums.
Simply dissolve a teaspoon of salt into a cup of boiling water and let it cool. (It’s okay to use it while it’s warm but not hot.) Swish the mixture around in your mouth for about 30 seconds. Be sure to spit it out once you’re done. You can use a salt water rinse as often as you need to.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse
Sometimes your tooth pain is just a side effect of periodontitis, a serious infection in your gums that can cause soreness, bleeding, and loose teeth. A 2016 study showed that rinsing with hydrogen peroxide might help treat the symptoms of periodontitis and reduce plaque levels in your mouth. If you decide to use hydrogen peroxide to try and relieve your toothache, make sure that it’s food-grade and has been diluted with equal parts water. After swishing it in your mouth, spit it out; swallowing it could cause stomach discomfort or mouth soreness. (For this reason, keep hydrogen peroxide away from children.)
Make sure you speak to your dentist before trying a new toothache remedy; it always helps to have a professional opinion to point you towards safe and effective treatments. Find the solution that will let you sleep comfortably at night until it’s time for your appointment to address the underlying cause of the problem.
About the Practice
Here at Shore Dental in North Port, we offer extended evening and weekend hours so that busy families have an easier time scheduling appointments to get the care they need. We welcome walk-in visits – especially if it’s an emergency – and our team of friendly experts will do everything they can to relieve your dental pain immediately. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (972) 235-3675.