Are you the person who tends to experience dental pain in the middle of the night while trying to sleep? You are not alone. Dental pain, at night, can be interruptive and nerve-wracking, derailing your routine for a quality sleep. But, there are still some ways for you to ease yourselves off this kind of discomfort. In this article, we shall explore undercover tactics that have been proved, to help you reduce tension and have a stress-free sleep.
Let us know why this happens:
It can be due to decayed teeth, teeth grinding (bruxism), gum disease, dental abscess, jaw joint (TMJ) dysfunction. All these can cause mild discomfort to severe throbbing pain which can hamper our sleep and keep us awake throughout the night.
How to manage these:
1. Preventing dental pain by maintaining oral hygiene: First and foremost, it is essential to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent any dental disease which can lead to dental night pain. This includes brushing twice everyday with fluoridated toothpaste, flossing and visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and cleaning.
2. To use pain relief using medication: Over-the-counter pain-relieving medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used to reduce dental pain. The recommended dosage instructions should be followed. If there are any underlying medical conditions then consultation from a health care provider or dentist should be taken.
3. Apply Cold Compresses: In order to temporarily relieve dental pain, apply a cold compress to the outer part of your cheek close to the sore location. This will assist numb the area and reduce inflammation.
4. Practice Relaxation Techniques: Anxiety and stress can aggravate tooth grinding and night-time dental discomfort. Before going to bed, try some relaxation exercises like deep breathing, meditation, or mild yoga to help relax your body and mind.
5. Use a Night Guard: Wearing a night guard or splint that your dentist has prescribed can help protect your teeth and relieve strain on the jaw joints if teeth grinding is causing your dental night pain.
6. Avoid Trigger Foods and Beverages: The effects of some foods and beverages, acids or sweet things, could combine with dental pain and make it worse. By all means try to avoid them; and, above all, at night – or at least a few hours before going to sleep – to reduce the discomfort from stomach problems.
7. Adjust Your Sleeping Position: It is recommended to experience different sleeping positions to figure out what position is favourable and the least amount of pressure in comparison to your teeth and jaw. The fact that you rest your head on a pillow inclined to the back during sleep, is likely to diminish the severity of the toothache.
8. Seek Professional Treatment: Although these measures might offer some kind of temporary relief from the pain, it is utmost important to see the expert dentist in order to find out what really causes the teeth to hurt when one is sleeping.
Conclusion:
Although managing dental night pain might be difficult, you may improve your chances of having a good night’s sleep by implementing these coping mechanisms into your night routine. Never forget to put proper oral hygiene first, control your stress levels, and get professional dental care as your dental health is essential, and addressing issues promptly can help prevent further complications down the road. By taking the appropriate measures, you can reduce dental pain and experience renewed energy and rejuvenation every morning. Don’t hesitate to reach out to KLE VK Institute of Dental Sciences, Belagavi for personalized advice and treatment recommendations.
Dr. Sannidhi Gothe
Senior Lecturer,
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics,
KLE, V. K. Institute of Dental Sciences (VKIDS), Belagavi.
Mail ID: gothe.sannidhi04@gmail.com
