You know that sleep is important for your overall health but getting rest can be quite difficult if you are dealing with a toothache that doesn’t seem to be subsiding. You know that you should call your emergency dentist first thing in the morning so you can get dental attention, but what should you do in the meantime? Continue reading to learn some tips for pain relief so you can overcome a toothache at night in Frisco to get some sleep.
Use a Cold Compress
Using a cold compress helps to constrict the blood vessels in the area and numb some of the pain that you are experiencing. Cold temperatures also help to reduce both inflammation and swelling which is especially helpful if your toothache was caused by an injury. Just wrap a bag of ice in a towel and place it on the affected area for about 20 minutes at a time.
Rinse with Salt Water
Rinse your mouth with salt water. This will help to wash away any food particles that are stuck between the teeth. It is also a natural disinfectant, helps to reduce inflammation in the mouth, and aids in healing oral wounds. Just mix half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water.
Use OTC Pain Relievers
Pain medication you buy over the counter can be very effective when it comes to minimizing discomfort, including dental pain. Medicines like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin can relieve minor pain from a toothache. Numbing pastes and gels, often containing benzocaine, can help to dull your pain long enough to fall asleep. Just remember not to use any products with benzocaine to treat children under age two.
Elevate Your Head
When you lay your head down, more blood flows to your head. This can intensify your toothache worse than it already is. To help prevent this, try to keep your head elevated as much as possible. Use a few extra pillows to prop up your head or try sleeping in a recliner.
Avoid Certain Foods Before Bed
Some foods can aggravate your toothache and make it more difficult for you to sleep. Stay away from foods that are particularly acidic, cold, or hard so that they don’t trigger any further pain by irritating cavities or other dental issues.
Sleeping with a toothache at night in Frisco can seem impossible, but maybe the tips above can help. You’ll be enjoying a restful evening before you know it!
About the Practice
At Stonebriar Smile Design, we have four dentists with one common goal – to give our patients the chance to enjoy beautiful smiles along with healthy bodies for years to come. To that end, we work alongside other physicians to manage your overall health and well-being, and we strive to ensure our team is as highly trained as possible. If these tips don’t provide toothache relief and you think you might need an emergency dentist in Frisco, we offer sedation dentistry for comfort and flexible financing is available, plus it will be a priority to get you in for an appointment ASAP. When you need to schedule one, visit our website or call (469) 361-0081.
