When a toothache can get so bad at night and when to go to an Emergency dentist?
Explore the wonders of the human nose with the help of our Story-time Dentist, Dr. Venkateswara Reddy, the Maxillofacial Prosthodontist & Implantologist.
If your toothache has appeared overnight, most can be easily resolved for a few hours with straightforward, non-toxic, and safe therapy until you’re able to get a dentist appointment in the morning. If you see swelling in the face, fever, trouble eating or breathing or pain that suddenly gets worse when laying down, however, don’t delay, call our line +91 91088 29069 immediately.
How to Manage a Toothache Until Morning
How to Keep Kids Safe in the meantime until the Morning.
Salt water rinse
Soak the tooth up with a half teaspoon of hot water and salt, swishing slightly to remove debris and inflammation. Continue this as often as necessary.
Cold compress
Apply a cloth-wrapped ice pack to the affected side of the cheek for 15 minutes, on and off. This helps to remove the pain and decrease swelling — but don’t directly apply ice to the skin.
Over-the-counter pain relief
Generally, a standard dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen, as prescribed on the label will be the most effective short-term solution. If the pain is knee-high, don’t take more than the dosage recommended: it will not help, and can cause its own problems.
Clove oil
For some, a small amount of clove oil on a cotton swab rubbed directly onto the affected tooth will help to numb a tooth. It’s not a cure, but is only meant as a short-term fix to help you through the night.
Home Remedies to Avoid
Contrary to popular misconception, aspirin must NOT touch the gum or the tooth as it may cause the gum tissue to get burnt. Do not use hot applications or hot water rinses because they tend to make the swelling worse as heat can increase blood flow to an area that may already be inflamed. A common mistake people make is overlooking swelling that is increasing and not waiting until the morning for it to subside – if the swelling is increasing it is usually a sign of infection and should be treated right away.
When to Call an Emergency Dentist Immediately
If you see any of these Red Flags, call your emergency dentist right away!
- The swelling of the face and/or jaw can be seen.
- You have a fever along with tooth pain.
- You have trouble taking in enough food or air to breathe
- The pain gets severely aggravated at night whilst lying in bed
- There’s a bad taste or discharge coming from the tooth
Each is a good enough enough reason to give it a call.
Understanding the Cause of Night-Time Tooth Pain
What is Causing the Pain?
There are generally a few causes which can be traced back to night toothaches. If the cavity reaches the inner nerve, it may be painful particularly when consuming anything cold/cold or hot. A cracked tooth is likely to be more painful when pressures are applied to it such as biting through or clenching during sleep hours. The usually more severe and swollen pocket of infection at the root, which requires a root canal treatment, is usually responsible for the more acute and painful pain. Gum infection may result in a more generalised ache along the line of the gum, find out more about gum diseases and how they are treated in our gum disease treatment guide. Regardless of what it is, the pain is a clear message from your body that something needs to be done — usually it’s not something that will eventually just go away.
What Happens When You Call The Dental Venue?
After opening we have an after-hour line to call so when you call our staff (at no cost to you) will ask a few simple questions and will determine if you have a real emergency or not that you can wait until we are open again. If the situation is critical, we will explain to you the immediate care you can take and set up an appointment to see you as early as possible, even on weekends and outside normal office hours. The user will not be left with a question about what to follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do toothaches get worse in the evening/at night?
Blood flow to the head is increased while lying down, which makes the pressure that the inflamed tooth or nerve is before a rise. The pain is more apparent too at night, when there are not the same distractions as there are during the day.
Will it be ok to use ibuprofen with paracetamol?
Yes, normally they act differently in your system, however use the recommended dose of each one and if you do not know the correct dosage, discuss it with your pharmacist/doctor, particularly if taking another medication regularly.
Is it possible to heal a toothache?
The pain may get worse for a time but the problem (decay, infection or crack) almost never goes away on its own. If the toothache has suddenly ceased to be a problem it may be a bad sign — the nerve could be dead but it does require the attention of a dentist.
Should I visit a hospital or a dentist for a severe night-time toothache?
If you have a serious infection that is impacting how you breathe or how you’re swallowing, then you shouldn’t see your dentist since they will have an easier time diagnosing and treating the cause of the infection. Please phone beforehand, we will be able to offer direction if admission to hospital is required.
Need Immediate Help?
Can’t Wait Until Morning?
Can’t wait for the morning? Contact The Dental Venue’s after-hours number +91 91088 29069 for advice and for an appointment on the same day.
