ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM NIGHTTIME TOOTHACHES? HERE ARE 3 TRICKS FOR RELIEF
After a long, stressful day at work, you’re probably looking forward to throwing in the towel early and heading to bed. The problem is, as soon as you rest your head on your pillow, the only thing that’s on your mind is your toothache. With poor quality rest, you’re not prepared to tackle the next day of work. Instead of remaining exhausted because of your oral discomfort, try these three tricks to provide you with relief until you schedule an appointment with your emergency dentist.
Cold Compress
You may be surprised to know that something as simple as a cold compress, such as a freezer pack or a bag of ice with a towel over it, can help ease the pain caused by your toothache. Throughout the day, try placing a cold compress to the side of your face that’s affected or the jaw area. This will help constrict the blood vessels and reduce your pain, giving you enough time to fall asleep.
Oral Pain Medication
Most family first-aid kits contain pain medications you can purchase over the counter. If you have acetaminophen or ibuprofen at your disposal, it’s an easy and quick way to relieve your discomfort so you can get a good night of rest. For more severe toothaches, it may not do the trick, so keep that in mind.
Be sure to only take the recommended amount of medication that’s printed on the back of the bottle. If these aren’t helping your pain, you’ll need to visit your emergency dentist and talk to them about possibly prescribing a stronger medication.
Elevation
If your blood is collecting in your head, it could be what’s causing your discomfort. In cases like these, be sure to elevate your head using a couple of plump pillows. This can help the blood flow out of the affected area and into the rest of your body, allowing you to fall asleep.
If none of these tricks are able to ease your discomfort to help you fall asleep, it’s wise to consider scheduling an emergency dental appointment. Too many nights without the proper rest can cause severe exhaustion that can impact your day-to-day life.
Without the proper treatment, small problems like cavities can result in larger issues that may require more invasive procedures. If you’re experiencing oral discomfort, it’s best to not put it off until the situation gets worse.
About the Author
Dr. Paul Stein completely his Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Florida College of Dentistry in 1994. Since then, he’s been providing his patients with high-quality preventive treatment to keep them from developing serious oral health problems. He understands that accidents happen and oral pain can occur, which is why he takes dental emergency walk-ins to provide his patients with immediate relief. For questions about any discomfort you’re experiencing or to schedule an appointment, visit Shore Dental’s website or call 941-257-0826.