Can't Sleep from Extreme Tooth Pain? Here Are Some Tips

If you’ve never had a toothache, you might think, “What’s the big deal?” 

But when you experience the throb, throb, throb in the middle of the night for yourself, you quickly realize why so many people say toothaches are one of the worst types of pain.

The extreme tooth discomfort is enough to keep you awake and miserable. You try to ignore it, but the shooting nerve pain won’t let you. Now, you’re tired and in pain!

What can you do?

We can’t remove the sensation through your screen, but this article will give you some solutions for quick pain relief and ideas on what could be causing the problem.

Emergency or Non-Emergency?

Let’s start with a clarification: sometimes, your tooth hurts because of a serious issue that must be dealt with quickly. This is called a dental emergency, and you shouldn’t wait to contact a dentist immediately. 

How do you know if it’s an emergency or just a lot of pain that seems urgent, but can actually wait?

Here are a few examples of what dentists consider worthy of an off-hours call:

• Your adult tooth is knocked out. If an injury to the face causes your permanent tooth to fall out, try to keep it in its socket or hold it in your mouth next to the cheek so it stays in its moist environment. Then contact the emergency dentist near you.

• A severe chip or crack in the tooth is getting worse. These breaks show there may be damage on the inside and outside of the structure that could cause you to lose the tooth if it isn’t addressed quickly. Call your dentist for an urgent visit.

• You have extreme tooth pain and swelling in the face. These two symptoms warn you that a significant problem needs attention. Use a cold compress along the side of the face with the inflammation, and contact the dentist to find out your next steps.

• There’s an abscess in your mouth. Abscessed teeth are infected, and a pocket of pus can spread into the jaw and tissues (and, eventually, into the bloodstream). Abscesses must be treated immediately to reduce the danger of fever, swelling, and the spread of infection.

Like any emergency, urgent dental problems are scary and unexpected. 

Depending on your area, you may not have access to an emergency dentist, leaving you with the option of an emergency room or urgent care clinic. These places might not be able to save your tooth, but they may help with pain and infection. 

Remember, the key is to manage extreme pain and danger until you can see your regular dentist.

However, if the tissues around your eye or any area of your neck or mouth are swollen and you have trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking, stop reading this and head to the emergency room.

Fast Fixes for Extreme Tooth Pain

Whether urgent or not, your extreme tooth pain requires a phone call to your dentist and an appointment. While you’re waiting, try these fast fixes that can work for non-emergency issues:

Pain Reduction Techniques Around the House

Tossing and turning, scrolling through your phone, and trying to get instant tips?

We have you covered. Your relief could already be in your home with one of these tried-and-true pain relievers:

Put Your Night Guard On 

If you’re a bruxer or have a custom-fit night guard for other reasons, wearing it will minimize contact between your painful tooth and external forces that could irritate it. As long as there’s no break (chip or crack), wear your night guard, put on a sleep app, and give it a little time. You could find yourself sound asleep before you know it!

Take Some Medication

Do you have any over-the-counter pain relievers in your medicine cupboard? This would be the ideal time to take them! Look for NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, and naproxen sodium. These temporarily relieve toothaches by reducing swelling and numbing the pain sensors.

However, if you have any medical conditions or are on other medications, talk to your doctor to find out what the best pain reliever is for your situation.

Use Moist and Cold Therapies

You’ve likely heard of people using hot packs and cold compresses for pain relief, but how do you know which one to use, and when?

The general rule of thumb is that ice packs are used for acute or new injuries that involve swelling. This could apply to your toothache if you see signs of inflammation or are in unusually severe pain. Ice reduces the blood flow to the area, numbing pain while also reducing swelling.

Never put the cold pack directly against your skin; keep a washcloth or other material between the compress and direct skin contact. Remove the pack after 10-15 minutes and repeat every hour as needed.

Heat therapy is effective in reducing tight muscles and alleviating chronic pain. Hot packs increase blood flow and relax the muscles, so this fix would ideally help you rest and fall asleep easier. You can take a hot shower or bath for similar results.

Apply Topical Gel Relief

Topical gels, such as Orajel, are a great way to achieve fast pain relief. These medications use benzocaine, which isn’t just a clinically potent pain reliever but also kills harmful bacteria, prevents infection, and relieves irritated gums.

Natural Solutions

Maybe you don’t have any of the above items, or you prefer a natural alternative if possible. This list of common household kitchen supplies could be your next toothache solution:

• Gargle with warm saltwater. A quick saltwater rinse using warm water and a pinch (½ teaspoon) of salt can disinfect the mouth, reduce inflammation, loosen food particles stuck in your teeth, and alleviate discomfort.

• Clove oil is a centuries-old method of treating tooth pain. It is a known analgesic that numbs pain and reduces inflammation, acting as an antiseptic. Dilute a few drops of clove oil with another oil, such as sunflower or olive. Then, dab the oil onto a cotton ball and apply it to your irritated tooth.

• Vanilla extract is a tasty and functional toothache remedy. The small amount of alcohol in real vanilla extract numbs the nerves and has healing antioxidant properties. Use a cotton ball or finger to gently dab a little vanilla onto the painful area.

• Got thyme on your hands? This herb’s antioxidant and antibacterial properties make it an effective toothache remedy. Simply dilute a few drops of thyme oil with another oil, dab it onto a cotton ball, and apply to the toothache.

• Peppermint tea bags are helpful as a numbing agent. Take a used, slightly warm tea bag and apply it to the affected area. Within a few minutes, you should notice a soothing effect and an enjoyable minty flavor.

Even if you feel better after using these remedies, remember to call your dentist. You don’t want to deal with this pain again, so let the experts figure out how to fix the problem for good!

Why Does My Tooth Hurt?

Toothaches can become extreme because we tend to ignore the milder warning signs. Teeth rarely hurt for “no reason,” but it’s possible to “fix” the pain in the early stages of a dental problem. 

This early treatment is usually temporary, though. While you’re happy the pain is gone, the problem is still simmering under the surface — and getting worse.

To make sure you don’t feel the agonizing pain that kept you awake all night, it’s vital to get the problem fixed. What might you be walking into when you make your next dental appointment, though?

Let’s look at seven of the most common causes of extreme tooth pain:

• Tooth decay - Cavities and tooth decay happen when bacteria, plaque, and tartar damage the tooth's inner layers. This exposes the nerve endings. When the decay gets to the sensitive inner layer of dentin, it can spread to the pulp. At that point, you’ll notice tooth pain, temperature sensitivity, and infection. 

• Infections and abscesses - As mentioned earlier, infections and dental abscesses can penetrate the jawbone and soft tissue and, if left untreated, enter the bloodstream. Along the way, the infection causes swelling, fever, and pain.

• Cracked or chipped teeth - When your teeth are cracked or chipped, the fracture may expose the inner layers and sensitive nerves. These types of breaks tend to get worse as you use them, so you’ll notice more pain when you eat and drink. Cracked enamel frequently happens with teeth grinding.

• Sinus infection - Sometimes, we think there’s a damaged tooth when it’s actually a sinus issue. Sinus infections are often linked to toothache pain because they are located near the roots of the upper teeth. When the sinus area is swollen and inflamed, the fluid adds pressure to the tooth roots, causing toothache-like pain.

• Wisdom teeth - Have you had your wisdom teeth removed yet? If not, they could be the culprit of your rear-mouth pain. When wisdom teeth come through (erupt), it causes inflammation. If they don’t have enough space to erupt, the pain worsens, and the teeth can become impacted.

• Impacted tooth - Occasionally, people have impacted adult teeth other than their wisdom teeth. These may be extra teeth or a tooth that didn’t originally come in at the right angle. Impacted teeth may need to be removed or corrected with orthodontic care.

• Periodontitis - Bleeding gums, loose teeth, decay, and infection characterize this progressive gum disease. Eventually, periodontitis weakens the gums, teeth, and bones, leading to tooth loss.

If you think you have any of the above dental issues, the pain may go away temporarily, but you’ll need help from a dental professional to solve the problem permanently.

Long-Term Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Trying to keep your teeth in great shape and avoid extreme tooth pain in the future? 

The best way to achieve this is to maintain a top-notch oral health routine. However, in addition to brushing and flossing daily, address any other medical issues that may impact your teeth.

For example, nutrition matters. Avoid acidic and sugary foods, as these can erode tooth enamel and contribute to issues affecting oral health, such as diabetes and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

If you’re a grinder, make sure you wear your night guard consistently. This small oral health appliance protects your teeth from the damage caused by bruxism, helping you avoid enamel erosion, tooth decay, chips, and other harmful side effects. (Night Guard Info – Three Long-Term Negative Effects of Teeth Grinding)

Are you serious about making your teeth a priority?

Depending on your habits, you may need to make a few adjustments to your lifestyle. For example, using tobacco products, vapes, or recreational drugs is a no-no for dental health. Chewing on fingernails, ice cubes, and pen caps can also cause dental damage. 

Once you take care of your current toothache-causing issue, you and your dentist can work together to establish positive dental habits and avoid negative ones, ensuring a better quality of life for you and your teeth!

Conclusion

If you have a toothache that lasts more than two days or is severe — or you don’t get relief with pain medication — schedule a dental appointment.

This is especially important if you have a fever, red or swollen gums, or pain when you bite. Your dental care treatment plan, followed by regular check-ups, cleanings, and good oral hygiene, should address any issues.

Still, fixing the severe tooth pain might not bring you a good night’s sleep if you’re grinding your teeth.

Check out our night guards at JS Dental Lab and learn how the best rest of your life could be a custom-made oral appliance away!