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After a long day, you may want to get into bed and do nothing else. Your sheets may be calling your name, but what if you have a toothache that’s keeping you up? The pain can stop you from getting the slumber you deserve, but there are ways you can temporarily relieve it. Here are four tips to try out and why it’s important to call your emergency dentist in the morning, especially if it’s an infected tooth.
Use an Extra Pillow
When you are lying down, your blood pressure actually rises. This is normal, but it’s because your heart is better able to pump upward to your face. However, this does put extra pressure on your hurting tooth, so it may worsen. To avoid this, simply sleep with an extra pillow; that way, your head is elevated.
Brush and Floss an Extra Time
In some cases, a trapped piece of food between your teeth might cause this nighttime trouble. By redoing your dental hygiene routine, you may have luck knocking the morsel out of place. If brushing doesn’t work, then tie a knot in your floss and use that. The added thickness might be what you need to remove the debris.
Rinse with Warm Salt Water
If your discomfort is paired with inflammation, then doing a warm saltwater rinse can soothe the soft tissues in your mouth. All you have to do is add a tablespoon of salt to a glass of water and swish it around. You should hopefully get some relief afterward.
Take Over-the-Counter Medication
The toothache can be troubling for a few patients, so pain relievers can be used as an effective way to stop it. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are a few that you might have lying around. Take them according to the bottle, and it should subside long enough to sleep.
Do I Need to Call My Emergency Dentist?
With all that said, it’s still important you call your dentist first thing when you wake up. The four tips above are only temporary solutions. Your provider will be able to get to the bottom of the issue and give you the treatment you need.
For instance, if an infection is the culprit, then it’s important to get it sorted right away. It may only worsen until your provider intervenes. They will be able to get you the long-term relief and get you back the calm nights you deserve.
About the Practice
At Laketown Family Dental, our team is proud to help the Norton Shores community with their oral healthcare. Led by Dr. Ariel Heisser and Dr. Eric Heisser, we can offer same-day urgent visits, so you can get in when something is ailing your smile. Using state-of-the-art technology, we can better diagnose the problem to fix it effectively. If you are struggling with a nighttime toothache, schedule an appointment or call our office at (231) 737-2273.