If you have ever experienced a toothache so unbearable that it wakes you up in the middle of the night and does not let you fall asleep again, then you know how agonising that pain can be. While toothaches can occur anytime, they often seem to be more intense at night. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what causes unbearable toothache at night and how it can be treated.
What Causes a Painful Tooth?
There are various reasons why someone might experience a toothache at night. These include:
Dental Decay
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, is a common cause of toothache. It is caused when bacteria and acid attack the outer layer of teeth called enamel, creating holes or cavities. If left untreated, the cavity will continue to grow and can eventually reach the inner dentin layer, leading to pain and discomfort.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease occurs when bacteria in plaque buildup along the gum line irritates the gums, making them inflamed and sore. Over time, this can lead to receding gums which can expose the roots of teeth and cause sensitivity and pain.
Trauma
Injuries or accidents that affect your mouth or jaw, such as a blow to the face, can cause toothache. This type of trauma can crack a tooth or even dislocate it from its socket, causing acute pain that radiates throughout your face.
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)Grinding your teeth unconsciously during sleep or while awake due to stress or other factors such as misaligned bite is known as bruxism.
The repetitive grinding action creates sensitive teeth by wearing down the enamel on your teeth and exposing the dentin and pulp underneath.
Abscessed Tooth
An abscessed tooth (or a dental abscess) is an infection of a dental root, caused by bacterial contamination that has spread from an untreated cavity or fracture in the tooth’s enamel layer. Symptoms of an abscessed tooth include throbbing pain around the affected area, fever, swollen glands, foul taste in the mouth and bad breath due to pus buildup inside it.
Jaw Joint Disorders
Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) are common causes behind chronic toothaches, which occur due to improper functioning of jaw joints, usually due to arthritis or any other form of trauma like a whiplash injury, among many different causes. TMJ-related pain radiates outwards towards our teeth, giving rise to chronic dental pains throughout our mouths, making it difficult to speak or chew normally.
Gum Disease
The most common caue of gum disease is poor oral hygiene practices leading to plaque buildup along the gum line. This results in gingivitis which, if left untreated, can progress into periodontitis leading to inflamed, bleeding gums that cause dull nagging pain.
How To Get Relief From Tooth Pain
If you’re suffering from unbearable toothache at night, keep your head elevated to improve blood flow and provide temporary relief, and try some of these home remedies to get relief until you can get an appointment with an emergency dentist in Adelaide:
Clove Oil
Applying a drop or two of clove oil to the affected tooth can help relieve toothache. Clove oil helps numb the area’s nerves, reducing sensitivity and pain. It’s antiseptic properties can help to minimise any possible infection in the area.
Salt Water Rinse
Rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater is a highly effective home remedy for toothache. The salt helps to draw out fluid from the area, providing relief from inflammation and discomfort. It also removes any food stuck in a cavity that could be causing the nagging toothache. Additionally, it can help to rinse away any bacteria present in the mouth that could be causing an infection in the affected area. You can dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in lukewarm water and rinse your mouth with it frequently.
Garlic
Rubbing garlic paste or garlic juice on an affected tooth can help relieve toothache due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, garlic contains sulphur compounds which are known for their analgesic effects and may help reduce discomfort related to toothache.
Vanilla Extract
Dabbing some pure vanilla extract onto a cotton swab and applying it directly onto the affected tooth can help reduce pain associated with toothache due to its numbing effect on the nerve endings around it. The soothing aroma of vanilla can also have calming effects, helping you relax during this time of discomfort.
Tea Tree Oil
Using tea tree oil as a natural remedy for toothache is becoming increasingly popular due to its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and analgesic properties, which all work together to provide quick relief from pain and discomfort associated with a toothache. Simply dab some on your finger and rub it across the tooth that is causing pain for the best results!
Pain medications
Over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen when suffering from toothache pain may help reduce the intensity of your toothache while you sleep. Be sure to follow instructions on proper dosage, as too much medication could have serious side effects.
Ice Pack
Applying a cold compress directly onto your cheek above the affected tooth can help reduce inflammation and temporarily relieve pain by constricting blood vessels in the area. Remember not to apply too much pressure, which could cause more discomfort!
How to Keep Teeth Healthy
Prevention is the best way to prevent distress caused by toothaches. To keep your teeth healthy and maintain good oral health, you should make sure you.
Brush and Floss Regularly
Brushing your teeth with a soft-brostled brush at least twice a day and flossing once daily will help remove plaque and food particles from areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. This helps protect against cavities and gum disease, which can lead to toothache.
Avoid Sugary Drinks
Sugary drinks like soda are one of the main causes of dental issues, including tooth decay and cavities. Limiting your consumption of these drinks can help reduce your risk of developing a painful toothache.
Eat A Balanced Diet
Eating plenty of high-fibre fruits and vegetables and calcium-rich foods like cheese, yogurt, milk, and salmon can help improve oral health by strengthening your teeth and preventing toothaches caused by cavities or gum disease.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Visiting the dentist every six months for routine cleanings and checkups is essential to good oral health care. Your dentist can detect any signs of decay or infection early on so that they can be treated before they cause more serious problems like an abscessed tooth or periodontal disease.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is linked to many oral health issues, including dry mouth and gum disease. Quitting smoking may reduce your risk of developing a toothache in the future.
Use Mouthwash
Use MouthwashUse mouthwash regularly as it helps reduce plaque buildup in places where brushing may miss and can help prevent bad breath and further reduce the chance of decay and infection around the gums and teeth that may cause pain in the future.
Add Vitamins and Calcium To Your Diet
Ensure you are getting enough vitamins A and C in your diet, which are essential for healthy gums and teeth; Vitamin D is also important for allowing your body to absorb calcium to build strong bones that support healthy teeth.
Use Mouthguards
If you grind your teeth (bruxism), using a mouthguard at night is recommended as it prevents clenching or grinding during sleep which can damage your teeth over time and cause sensitivity or pain, leading to a toothache.
Get Emergency Help for Severe Toothache Now!
If you’re experiencing severe pain in your mouth that won’t subside after trying home remedies, you should consult one of our emergency dentists urgently! They are well-experienced in all causes of dental pain and can quickly diagnose why exactly it’s happening and start appropriate treatments promptly! Call us now on (08) 7078 8263 because emergency dental care will make you comfortable, and your nights will become peaceful again!
References
9 methods to get rid of toothache at night
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326133#:~:text=A%20simple%20salt%20water%20rinse,in%20the%20teeth%20or%20gums
Toothaches: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Remedies
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/toothache