Toothache at Night: Best Sleeping Positions for Relief

Having a toothache at night makes it very difficult to sleep. Pain from the toothache gets worse as soon as you lie down to sleep. However, there are effective pain relief options for individuals who may have a toothache during the night by changing their sleep positions and using effective pain management techniques during the day for an easier night’s sleep. In this guide, we will look at the techniques for providing pain relief for a toothache during the night.

Why Does a Toothache Get Worse at Night

Noticing that the pain of a toothache may be intensified at night could be a common experience for many individuals. In fact, the reason for the pain may be related to the fact that, when lying flat, the supply of blood to the head and mouth increases, thus increasing the pain associated with an infection in the tooth. During the day, the pain might be masked by the other activities you may be engaged in, and the silence of the night may amplify the pain associated with the infection in the tooth.

If decay or damage is the cause of your toothache, a dental filling can restore your tooth and prevent future discomfort.

How Sleeping Position Affects Toothache Pain

The posture you take while sleeping contributes greatly to the pain you feel from a toothache at night. Sleeping on your back may cause the buildup of fluids around the area where you have the toothache, thus increasing the pain and the sensation of having the toothache throb. Sleeping on the side where you have the toothache may result in pressure aggravating the pain.

Recommended sleeping adjustments:

1. Use two or more pillows to raise your head.
2. Sleep on the side opposite your toothache.
3. Avoid pressing your face against the pillow.
4. Keep your body slightly upright to limit blood flow to the mouth.

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Best Sleeping Positions for Toothache at Night Relief

A proper position may greatly ease the process of sleeping at night if one suffers from a toothache. Sleeping in an elevated position ensures that the force of gravity works to reduce the accumulation of blood around the aching tooth area. In cases of pain in only one side, the other side should be slept on.

Common positions and their benefits:

Sleeping Position	Benefit
Back with an elevated head	Reduces swelling and improves comfort
Side opposite pain	Prevents pressure on the sore area
Slightly upright posture	Promotes drainage and decreases pressure buildup

Such adjustments might be very effective in alleviating pain and facilitating falling asleep.

Home Remedies for Toothache Before Bed

A toothache at night could disturb your sleep, keeping you unsettled and awake the entire time. While you are arranging an appointment with the dentist, you could try some effective ways at home to reduce the pain, allow yourself a comfortable night’s sleep, and reduce the swelling in the process. Below are a few effective ways to relieve a toothache at night:

1. Elevate Your Head

Using additional pillows to prop up your head could also be an effective way to cope with a toothache at night, since it ensures that the pain in your head doesn’t cause the area to swell and makes it easier for you to fall asleep.

2. Use a Cold Compress

You could place a cold pack on the side of your cheek for around 15 to 20 minutes right before bed to numb the pain associated with a toothache at night. A cold pack will constrict the vessels around the toothache pain area and reduce the pain by soothing the area.

3. Rinse with Warm Salt Water

A warm saltwater rinse may be very effective for a toothache at night since the process may relieve the pain by flushing out debris from the area around the tooth. Mix salt in a glass of warm water, and then swish it around and spit out the water.

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4. Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

For temporary pain relief from a toothache at night, taking pain medication such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen according to the recommended guidelines may help alleviate the pain associated with the condition, as well as reduce the associated swelling.

5. Avoid Trigger Foods and Drinks

Avoid very hot, very cold, sweet, and sour foods and liquids close to the time of retiring to bed to avoid increasing the pain of a toothache at night. Instead, consume soft and plain foods and refrain from chewing on the painful side.

6. Apply Clove Oil or Natural Numbing Agent

To relieve a toothache at night, you could try using clove oil or a pain-dulling gel. In clove oil, there’s eugenol, an agent that offers a certain level of pain-killing and antibacterial action; a small amount should be placed on a cotton ball near the aching tooth.

7. Keep Your Mouth Clean and Hydrated

Dry mouth could worsen a toothache at night. Drinking water and taking care of the mouth condition by brushing and flossing the teeth before sleep eliminates particles of food lodged in the aching tooth, which could be aggravating it.

While these homemade remedies are not a replacement for formal dental care, they could greatly reduce the pain associated with having a toothache at night until the patient’s dental appointment the next day.

Tips to Prevent Toothache at Night in the Future

To avoid having a toothache at night, an individual must practice good oral hygiene habits. Brushing the teeth at least two times a day and flossing will remove the accumulation of plaque and food particles in the teeth, which can cause cavities and then a toothache.

Consider the following preventive steps:

1. Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen enamel.
2. Avoid grinding by wearing a nightguard if needed.
3. Limit sugary snacks, especially before bedtime.
4. Stay hydrated to maintain saliva flow and protect teeth.

To ensure you are not at risk for night pain, good daily care and regular dental care are essential.

When to Seek Professional Dental Treatment

Though temporary pain relief may be used to relieve a toothache at night, if the pain goes on for a period of two days, then there could be an infection in the area, which only a dentist can cure. Infection could occur from the formation of an abscess or from the buildup of cavities in the teeth, and the only cure for this is the proper care of a dentist.

The Danforth Dentistry Clinic in Toronto delivers high-quality care, such as Root Canal Treatment, Dental Fillings, Dental Crowns, Oral Surgery, among other restorative treatments. Timely care at the practice ensures you are pain-free and able to sleep without disruptions from pain.

Sleep Peacefully Again with Toothache Relief Tonight

Sleeping positions may play an important role in alleviating the pain associated with a toothache at night. By placing a pillow at the back of your head to elevate it and using the opposite side of the body from the pain location to support your body, you might be able to sleep easily until you visit the dentist.

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FAQ

Ever found yourself grappling with a toothache at night? You can share your personal experience with us, and if the above-mentioned tips for a good night’s sleep have helped you in any way, do let us know!