How can I sleep with unbearable tooth pain? How to calm a toothache in the middle of the night? What are the causes of toothache? And finally, what can be done to avoid a toothache?
I. Causes of Toothache
1. Pulpitis:
Toothache is also known as pulpitis. It is severe pain in the tooth, most often caused by advanced tooth decay.
The pulp of the tooth is then attacked, causing this pain. It is also possible that there is pulp necrosis.
2. Necrosis:
When the toothache is in an advanced stage, the pulp is largely affected, it is called pulp necrosis.
Pulpal necrosis is the level at which the pulp of the tooth is largely infected.
This pulp is made of blood vessels and nerves, which make it the heart of the tooth. It is an irreversible stage.
3. Dental Abscess:
One of the most common causes of tooth pain is the development of a dental abscess.
The dental abscess appears on the gum, which becomes red and painful.
It is a sign of an infection, of bacteria present in the mouth and has developed.
4. Food Blockage:
The term food blockage is used to describe the fact of having a large amount of food residue stuck between the teeth. It is a frequent cause of dental pain, which can occur especially when oral hygiene is not optimal.
5. Gas Gangrene:
When organic residue remains between the teeth, it eventually decomposes over time.
The term gaseous gangrene refers to the release of gas that occurs during the decomposition of these residues in the mouth.
This gas cannot escape and exerts painful pressure on the teeth.
II. How can I sleep with unbearable tooth pain?
1. Clove to Soothe a Toothache
Toothache can occur in the middle of the night and wake you up painfully. Clove is a natural painkiller, which can give you relief.
You can moisten a clove with your saliva and apply it to the painful tooth.
2. Salt Water Mouthwash to Soothe a Toothache
Saltwater mouthwash is a simple but effective method for toothache.
All you have to do is mix a spoonful of salt with a glass of water.
Use this liquid to rinse your mouth when your toothache starts.
3. Vinegar Mouthwash to Soothe Tooth Pain
Mix a teaspoon of cider vinegar with a glass of water, and rinse your mouth with it.
Be sure to circulate the liquid to the area of your mouth most affected by the pain.
Once you’ve spit, use plain water to rinse your mouth.
4. Black Tea Bag for Toothache in the Middle of the Night
Start by thoroughly wetting a black tea bag with warm water. Then, get rid of the excess water, and apply the teabag while still warm against your gums.
You can even put the tea bag directly against your aching tooth. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
Do this several times a day if necessary. The tannins in black tea are anti-inflammatory.
5. Essential Oils to Ease Tooth Pain (peppermint, lavender, clove)
Essential oils can also be helpful in case of toothache. For example, you can use Lavender or Peppermint essential oil, and put two to three drops directly on the affected tooth.
6. Garlic to Ease Toothache Pain
Like cloves, garlic can be crushed and applied directly to the affected tooth.
Make a paste with 2 or 3 garlic and place it on your tooth. Wait for 3 to 5 minutes before spitting it out. You can use this method several times a day.
7. Ice Bag for Tooth Pain
Cold helps to soothe the pain. For your toothache, put some ice cubes in a glove and apply them against your cheek.
As long as the sensation is not unpleasant, keep the ice cubes against your cheek. Repeat the operation with other ice cubes if necessary.
If you have gum sensitivity, avoid this method.
8. Sleep in a Semi-Recumbent Position
Here’s a simple trick to alleviate your dental pain. By sleeping in a semi-recumbent position, you reduce the blood flow to the tooth, making it less painful.
III. How to Avoid a Toothache?
1. Regular Brushing
Oral hygiene is the first way to fight toothache. By brushing your teeth regularly, at least twice a day, you will protect the dentin of your tooth.
This is the material of which a tooth is essentially composed. It must be maintained for the health of your teeth.
2. Avoid Sugar
Sugar consumption has a disastrous effect on the health of your teeth. Sugar erodes and damages the teeth, and in the long run, causes tooth decay.
Avoiding sugar means avoiding sweets in general, but also sodas.
3. Dental Care (Repair, Decay…)
Taking care of your teeth involves several steps. Dental care is necessary to avoid toothache.
It is a matter of visiting your dentist regularly and repairing your broken teeth to prevent them from leading to other problems.
Detecting tooth decay early will allow you to take action before too much dentin is affected, as is the case in stage 2 decay.
4. Flossing
Flossing is a good way to complete your daily dental cleaning. Get into the habit of using it after brushing your teeth.
Flossing helps to dislodge food residue that can get stuck between your teeth.
5. Regular Mouthwash
Mouthwash is used to disinfect your mouth after brushing your teeth. It is very useful to fight against bacterial propagation, but also against bad breath.
The use of mouthwash is useful to ensure the health of your teeth.
IV. Other Questions About Toothache
1. How Long Does a Toothache Last?
The duration of a toothache is between 30 seconds and 4 hours. It is important to understand that toothache is a cyclical pain.
Very often, its intensity is such that a strong dental painkiller is needed to soothe it.
2. Toothache Impossible to Sleep, Why?
It is possible that lying down increases dental pain, hence the difficulty to sleep.
That’s why it is advisable, in case of toothache, to stay in a semi-recumbent position. This way, the blood flow to your affected tooth is reduced.
3. Why Is Toothache Worse at Night?
Dental pain is often more intense at night because there is a surplus of heat in the diseased gum.
Indeed, the heat of the pillow can increase the temperature in the affected area. This makes the tooth pain worse.
4. How to Treat an Abscessed Tooth without Going to the Dentist?
To treat your abscessed tooth yourself, make a clay poultice and apply it to the abscessed cheek. Clay has the particularity of draining toxins.
You can also opt for a calendula mouthwash, by putting 5 drops of Calendula mother tincture in a glass of water.
5. Can You Kill the Nerve of a Tooth Yourself?
The decision to devitalize a tooth, to kill the nerve, is usually taken by the dentist.
This treatment may be necessary if your dentist feels that bacteria are attacking the tooth in depth.
Useful Links:
Prevalence of toothache and associated factors: a population-based study in southeast Iran
87% of the patients still favor root canal treatment for badly damaged teeth
My Braces Hurt So Bad I Can’t sleep, How to Calm the Pain?
How Long Should a Dental Bridge Last (Lifespan)?
How Do I Get Rid of a Bad Smell in My Teeth?
Can a Root Canalled Tooth Get Infected?
How to Fix Overcrowding Teeth?