Mint Hill Smiles

Dentist in Mint Hill, NC

Toothache Keeping You Up at Night? What to Do | Mint Hill Smiles

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If a toothache is keeping you awake, you are not just uncomfortable, you are dealing with a tooth that very likely needs treatment.

Pain that intensifies at night and will not let you sleep is likely from a tooth needing urgent attention. Here is what is probably going on and how to get through the night until we can see you.

Why Toothaches Get Worse at Night

There is a real reason tooth pain often feels worse when you lie down. When you are horizontal, more blood flows to your head, which increases the pressure on an already inflamed or infected tooth. With fewer distractions at night, the pain also becomes harder to ignore. This nighttime worsening is common with the kinds of tooth problems that need treatment.

What a Severe Toothache Usually Means

A toothache severe enough to keep you awake usually points to one of these:

  • – An infection or abscess in or around the tooth
  • – A deep cavity that has reached or is approaching the nerve
  • – An inflamed or dying nerve inside the tooth
  • – A cracked tooth exposing the inner tooth
  • – Sometimes, a problem with existing dental work

The common thread is that these do not resolve on their own. Pain at this level means the tooth needs to be evaluated and treated.

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Getting Through the Night

Until you can see us, these may help manage the pain:

  • – Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label. Tylenol is typically most effective for pain when there is no swelling in the area. 
  • – Keep your head elevated with extra pillows to reduce the pressure that worsens pain when lying flat.
  • – Rinse with warm salt water to soothe the area and clear any debris.
  • – A cold compress on the outside of your cheek can numb the area and reduce swelling.
  • – Avoid very hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks that trigger the pain.
  • – Do not place aspirin directly on the gum or tooth, which can burn the tissue.
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  • These are temporary measures. They manage the pain, they do not fix the cause.

Call Us as Soon as We Open

A toothache keeping you awake needs to be seen. We hold time for emergencies and can usually get you in the same day. Call (704) 323-7577 first thing, and if your pain is accompanied by significant facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a high fever, treat it as urgent and seek emergency care overnight.

You do not have to live with this pain. Call us and we will help.

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Lying down increases blood flow to your head, which raises the pressure on an inflamed or infected tooth and intensifies the pain. With fewer distractions at night, the pain is also harder to ignore. Keeping your head elevated can help reduce it.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed, keep your head elevated with extra pillows, rinse with warm salt water, and use a cold compress on your cheek. Avoid hot, cold, and sweet triggers. These manage the pain until you can be seen, but the tooth still needs treatment.
A toothache severe enough to keep you awake often signals an infection, a deep cavity reaching the nerve, or an inflamed or dying nerve. These need treatment and will not resolve on their own. If you have swelling or fever, seek care promptly.
A dentist is who you need for most toothaches, and we can usually see you the same day. Go to the ER or seek emergency care if you have significant facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a high fever, which can signal a spreading infection.
Not necessarily. When a severe toothache suddenly stops, it can mean the nerve inside the tooth has died, which does not mean the problem is gone. The underlying infection usually still needs treatment. Call us to have it evaluated even if the pain has eased.
We hold time in our schedule for dental emergencies and can usually see you the same day. Call (704) 323-7577 as early as you can and we will get you in as soon as possible.

You Do Not Have to Keep Hurting

If you are in tooth pain, please do not wait it out. Call us at (704) 323-7577 and tell us what is going on. We will get you in as quickly as possible and we will take care of you.

We serve patients from Mint Hill, Matthews, Indian Trail, Stallings, Weddington, Midland, Albemarle, and southeast Charlotte, NC. We accept most major insurance plans including Delta Dental, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare. Same day appointments are available for patients with dental pain.

We are at 11300 Cresthill Drive, Suite 105, Mint Hill, NC 28227. Visit minthillsmiles.dentist or call us directly.

The procedure that everyone dreads is almost never as bad as what you are already going through. Let us help you get to the other side of it.

Book your appointment today