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Toothache at Night: What to Do Until You See a Dentist
Woken by tooth pain? Here's how to ease a toothache at night safely, which home remedies to avoid, and the warning signs that mean you need urgent care.
Quick answer
To ease a toothache at night, sleep with your head raised, hold a cold compress on your cheek for 15 minutes at a time, rinse with warm salt water, and take an over-the-counter painkiller as directed on the pack. Book a dentist the next day. Facial swelling, fever or trouble swallowing needs urgent care.
Tooth pain often feels worse at night. When you lie down, more blood flows to your head, which increases pressure on an inflamed tooth. And with no distractions, you notice the pain more.
The good news: there are safe, simple ways to get through the night. The important part is to see a dentist soon, because a toothache is almost always a sign of a problem that won't fix itself.
Why does toothache get worse at night?
- Lying flat raises blood pressure in the head and around the tooth.
- Fewer distractions make you more aware of the pain.
- Grinding or clenching during sleep can irritate a sore tooth.
- Food trapped after dinner can press on inflamed gums.
8 safe ways to ease a toothache tonight
- Raise your head. Use an extra pillow so your head is higher than your heart.
- Use a cold compress. Wrap ice in a cloth and hold it against your cheek (not the tooth) for 15 minutes, then take a break.
- Rinse with warm salt water. Half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water loosens debris and soothes gums.
- Floss gently. A trapped piece of food is sometimes the whole problem.
- Take a pain reliever as directed. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help. Follow the dose on the pack, and check with a pharmacist if you have other conditions or take other medicines.
- Try clove oil. Dab a small amount on a cotton bud and apply it to the sore area. Clove contains eugenol, a natural numbing agent.
- Avoid very hot, cold or sweet food and drinks. These can trigger sharp pain in a sensitive tooth.
- Don't chew on that side.
When is a toothache an emergency?
Go to a hospital emergency department or call 998 if you have:
- Swelling that is spreading to your eye, neck or under your jaw
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- A high fever with facial swelling
- Heavy bleeding that won't stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure
These can be signs of a spreading dental infection, which needs treatment the same day.
What causes toothache?
| Cause | What it feels like |
|---|---|
| Tooth decay (cavity) | Sharp pain with sweet, hot or cold food |
| Inflamed nerve (pulpitis) | Throbbing pain that lingers or wakes you |
| Abscess (infection) | Constant, severe pain, sometimes with swelling or a bad taste |
| Cracked tooth | Sharp pain when biting or releasing |
| Gum problems | Tender, bleeding or swollen gums |
| Wisdom tooth | Ache at the back of the jaw, sometimes with swollen gum |
What will the dentist do?
At your appointment, the dentist examines the tooth, may take an X-ray, and explains what's causing the pain. Depending on the cause, treatment may be a filling, root canal treatment, treating an infection, or removing the tooth if it can't be saved. You'll know the options and costs before anything starts.
Frequently asked questions
Can a toothache go away on its own?
Pain may come and go, but the cause usually remains. A tooth whose nerve has died can stop hurting while the infection keeps spreading. Always have a toothache checked.
Should I take antibiotics for a toothache?
Only if a dentist or doctor prescribes them. Antibiotics don't fix the cause of most toothaches. The tooth itself needs treatment.
Can I see a dentist the same day in Ajman?
At Al Zahra Medical Centre, we try to see dental pain the same day. Call 06 743 7333 or book online.
