What to do if your tooth hurts at night? Causes of night pain

When aching pain in a tooth appears, a person is simply unable to think about anything else, because this is one of the most unpleasant sensations. Moreover, it often happens that the pain begins at night or at times when dental care is not available (at the dacha, on a trip, etc.), and it is not possible to immediately see a doctor for treatment. Why does pain occur, and how to soothe an aching tooth before visiting the dentist?

Causes of acute dental pain

The following are the root causes of acute toothache:

1. Caries. Exacerbation of dentalgia causes food to get into the inflamed area. The sensations are characterized as aching, wave-like.
2. Periodontitis (inflammation of the gums) . Manifested by throbbing pain. The patient observes tooth instability, which is associated with the looseness of the inflamed gum tissue.
3. Violation of the integrity of the enamel . The condition causes mechanical damage to the jaw (teeth), long-term lack of treatment for caries. Several hours may pass from the moment the defect appears to the first pain.
4. Pulpitis. It manifests itself as intense pain that does not respond to the analgesics taken. The wave-like nature of the unpleasant sensation is explained by the transition of caries to the pulp, which is supplied with a large number of nerve fibers. The pain covers the ear, adjacent teeth, and spreads to the temple.
5. Periodontitis. The pathology is caused by mechanical damage to the tooth and is characterized by an inflammatory process of the periosteum ligaments. These structures help hold the tooth inside the socket. Manifests itself with sudden, sharp pain. Against the background of infection, a cystic neoplasm or granuloma forms inside the periosteum.

Each of these conditions needs to be treated. If the patient does not want to see a doctor, the risk of complications increases. These include: osteomyelitis (destruction of bone tissue), abscess, phlegmon (pathologies mean massive suppuration of the gums and tooth sockets).

Why do my teeth hurt at night but not during the day?

It would be more correct to say that your teeth hurt more at night. During the day there are too many distractions that prevent you from focusing on your feelings. Work, household chores and even simple walking force the brain to work in a different direction, which leads to less pain.

Another, main factor is physiological. In the evening, the level of corticosteroids in the body begins to decrease; they are “responsible” for reducing pain. Hormone production reaches a minimum between midnight and five in the morning, after which the tooth gradually begins to fall out. Usually by this time the exhausted body “gives up”, the person falls asleep and gets a short respite.

Another cause of night pain is the horizontal position of the body during sleep. The rush of blood to the head increases, while the nerve roots are compressed and the pain intensifies. This is especially noticeable with pulpitis, when the sensations become unbearable.

Important.

If you notice increased pain while lying down, raise the pillow higher and practically sit down. The blood will drain from your head and it will become a little easier.

It’s a special problem when the tooth under the filling hurts. This means that an infection has entered the treated cavity and an inflammatory process has begun. The resulting pus, even in a minimal amount, has no way out and begins to compress the nerve roots, which leads to severe acute pain that can even radiate to the ear and throat.

At night, it is also possible to experience minor pain after the removal of a tooth or nerve, as well as after treatment of deep caries. This is normal and does not require any serious measures to be taken. In this case, it is enough to take a tablet of any analgesic or rinse your mouth with a warm soda solution.

Important.

If you had a difficult removal and then experienced severe pain at night, you should immediately consult a doctor in the morning. Alternatively, bone fragments could remain in the socket. In this case, the entire jaw will hurt, and it will be almost impossible to relieve the sensation even with strong medications.

Non-dental reasons

The doctor’s task when treating a patient with pain is to establish that it was dental problems that caused the deterioration in health. For this purpose, the specialist conducts differential diagnostics. The doctor compares and then excludes other diseases that manifest symptoms similar to dentalgia.

The specialist will have to make sure that there are no pathologies of the neurological, cardiovascular system, or ENT organs. These diseases include:

1. Neuralgia . The trigeminal nerve is present in the human body. The structure provides sensitivity to the face and oral cavity. With inflammatory damage to the trigeminal nerve, the patient experiences intense pain. Clinical manifestations are complemented by irritability, swelling of the cheeks, and lacrimation. Standard analgesics are practically ineffective, and when they reduce discomfort, the result does not last long. Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve is treated by a neurologist. An experienced dentist is able to immediately determine that the disease does not apply to his profile.
2. Migraine . The headache is characterized by unilateral localization. The patient's general well-being worsens from loud sounds and bright lights. The location of pain can migrate - cover the temporal, parietal region. Debilitating discomfort spreads to the orbit and frontal part. When the condition is left untreated for a long time, standard analgesics do not have the expected effect. Then the intensity increases, and the patient mistakenly perceives the headache as a toothache.
3. Otitis. Inflammation of the ear canal most often occurs in children, but also occurs among adults. Clinical manifestations of the disease are hearing loss, throbbing pain on one side of the head. An unpleasant sensation spreads to the lower jaw.
4. Violation of the functional ability of the heart (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction). Pain syndrome is predominant in this case. An unpleasant (burning, pulsating) sensation spreads to the left shoulder blade, shoulder, and lower jaw. If the heart rhythm is disturbed, the patient notes pain in the lower jaw. This becomes a reason to suspect problems with the condition of the teeth. In the process of performing diagnostics, the doctor focuses on the clinical picture and examination results. To determine the cause of dentalgia, a person seeking help will have to undergo several diagnostic procedures.

FAQ

1. Aching pain in the tooth, radiating to the temple or ear - what to do about it? Such pain may be a sign of otitis media. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately contact your dentist so that he can rule out dental problems and refer you to an otolaryngologist.

2. Aching pain in a tooth without a nerve - what to do? It is necessary to identify the cause of the pain. To do this, you need to take an x-ray to determine the location of the source of infection or the cause of the aching pain.

3. Teeth ache from hot and cold - what to do?
Such a reaction to temperature stimuli can occur with various diseases, but most often the causes are deep caries or chronic pulpitis. Only dental treatment can fix the problem. Moscow metro station Zvezdnaya, Danube Avenue, 23

Toothache with sinusitis

When a patient presents with acute toothache, the doctor should rule out sinusitis – inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. Discomfort in the jaw is similar in both diseases. In case of sinusitis, the patient is concerned about:

• The presence of copious mucous discharge from the nose.
• The wavy nature of the pain, its localization in addition to the jaw - the forehead, with a transition to the area under the eyes.
• Increase in body temperature to high levels.
• Sore throat, irritation inside the throat, difficulty swallowing.
• Weakness, dizziness, apathy, dyspeptic disorders (nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite).

It is important that with sinusitis the deterioration of the condition develops against the background or after a cold. Treatment of the disease in question is carried out by an ENT doctor.

General recommendations for pain relief

The following tips will help relieve tooth pain:

• Do not concentrate on feeling unwell, try to distract your thoughts from it.
• Make sure that the disturbing part of the mouth is not clogged with food fragments. In addition to putting pressure on the inflamed area, pieces of food create a favorable environment for the life of pathogenic microflora. It is advisable to use a toothpick.
• The horizontal position aggravates the condition due to increased blood flow to the jaw. For dental problems, it is better to minimize bed rest (with the exception of high body temperature).
• Limit contact of food with the inflamed area of ​​the mouth. When chewing food, try to use the healthy side.
• It is equally important to abandon the idea of ​​using heat sources. High temperatures relieve discomfort for a short time. Heat can aggravate the inflammatory process if it is accompanied by the formation of a purulent focus.

How to relieve acute toothache

There is a wide range of means and methods that can be used to get rid of or minimize tooth pain. All of them are divided into main and auxiliary methods and are related to official or folk medicine. Modern analgesics are aimed at eliminating pain of various types, localization, and degrees of intensity. An insufficiently pronounced analgesic effect provides:

• Nurofen . Contains Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substance.
• Spasmalgon. The drug is made on the basis of Analgin. The drug is contraindicated for use in children under 6 years of age.
• Baralgin. Analgin produces an analgesic effect. Dosed use is acceptable even for dentalgia in children.
• Askofen . Relieves debilitating sensations due to the presence of powerful substances in the combination. They are represented by Paracetamol, Aspirin and Caffeine. Contraindicated in children under 15 years of age.
• Grippostad. The active ingredients of the drug are Paracetamol and vitamin C. Ascorbic acid prolongs the analgesic effect of the drug. The use of the drug requires a high level of care and caution.
• Actasulide. An effective medicine that provides relief from pain, but the patient’s age under 12 years is a limiting factor. Direct contraindications for use are the presence of stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, kidney failure, liver failure; impairment of the functional ability of the heart.
• Nise. Eliminates dentalgia in 5-7 minutes. The effect lasts for 6-8 hours, but the root cause of the unpleasant sensation is of decisive importance. Taking several tablets at once is neither practical nor safe. To achieve the desired effect, just take 1 Nise tablet with water.
• Ketorol. A powerful pain reliever, but you can take it no more than once every 3 hours. Before visiting the dentist, you should refrain from using Ketorol for at least 4-5 hours. Since the drug negatively affects the possibility and duration of anesthesia, it distorts clinical manifestations.
• Tempalgin . Eliminates low-intensity dentalgia. The permissible frequency of use is 4 times a day, 1 tablet. Before using any of the listed drugs, it is important to read the accompanying instructions.

The use of the medicine will not cause harm if the patient is not allergic to its active substances. In order to determine sensitivity to the drug, you should initially take ¼ of the tablet and monitor how you feel.

If after half an hour there is no dizziness, nausea, itchy skin, lacrimation, or shortness of breath, you can take the rest of the tablet. Then the expected analgesic effect occurs, and the patient knows for sure that the drug is safe for him.

Tablets for children

As you know, most of all tablets recommended for adults are absolutely contraindicated for children. It is for this reason that it is better not to take risks and choose drugs that are appropriate for the child’s age. Today in pharmacies you can find a huge selection of gels, ointments, analgesic syrups, rectal suppositories that will help cope with childhood dentalgia:

• Cholisal-gel.
• Dentinox gel.
• Children's Nurofen (drops, syrup, tablets)
• Panadol rectal suppositories
• Viburkol rectal suppositories.

The instructions for use in the above-mentioned drugs and their analogues often contain an age limit - from 6 or 12 years. However, on the recommendation of a doctor and in the presence of acute pain, it is permissible to give these medications to children under 6 years of age.

As in the case of pregnant women, children are recommended to use folk remedies to eliminate dentalgia - rinsing, cooling, garlic.

Additional recommendations for pain management

Ketorol, Pentalgin, Ketanov, Nimesulide have a high analgesic effect. Despite the guaranteed analgesic effect, these medications should not be taken by pregnant women and children. The active components of analgesics easily cross the placental barrier and can harm the fetus. As for children, a more careful, accurate calculation of the dosage of the drug is required. You will not be able to install it yourself.

Ultracaine injection eliminates dentalgia for 6 hours. But performing the injection yourself is contraindicated. At home, you can moisten a cotton swab with one of the indicated solutions (you must first carefully open the ampoule). Then apply the prepared tampon to the gum. The first signs of effectiveness are a decrease in the sensitivity of oral tissues.

The use of antibacterial drugs is contraindicated. These medications require schematic administration and are prescribed only taking into account the existing pathology.

Taking analgesics must be stopped before visiting a doctor (at least 3 hours before). The active ingredients in painkillers reduce sensitivity in the mouth. The patient cannot accurately explain to the doctor the location of the pain and its nature. This makes it difficult for a specialist to diagnose.

If the dentist confirms that the pain is caused by dental problems and excludes the presence of other pathologies, anesthesia will be required. A patient who has been taking analgesics for a long time to feel better, such an action reduces the possibility of performing it.

Traditional methods of relieving toothache

To eliminate pain before visiting a doctor and not make a mistake in choosing an analgesic, it is advisable to use traditional medicine methods. The following remedies are known to have beneficial effects in inflammatory and destructive processes of teeth:

• Sea salt. The substance is enriched with microelements, minerals, provides a bactericidal effect - destroys pathogens. It is both a therapeutic and prophylactic agent. Prevents the development of complications, prevents tooth loss, strengthens gums. Dissolve 1 tbsp. spoon of salt 250 ml of warm water, stir, avoiding sediment, rinse until dentalgia is eliminated.
• Baking soda. It is known for its antiseptic properties - it relieves inflammation, thereby eliminating tooth pain. To prepare a soda solution, use 1 teaspoon of powder per 1 tbsp. warm water. Rinse up to 5-6 times a day, then be sure to visit a doctor.
• Alcohol-based drops: peppermint, valerian, camphor solution. The healing properties are explained by the presence of essential oils in the composition. The main effects are the elimination of the pulsating phenomenon, the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms, and the normalization of blood supply. Use to prepare a compress. Fold a small piece of gauze several times, moisten it with a healing solution, and apply it to the diseased tooth.
• Chamomile decoction . Application allows you to get rid of the inflammatory process in the oral cavity, reduce or eliminate discomfort. To prepare the remedy, 2 tbsp. l. dry chamomile (sold at any pharmacy) pour 2 tbsp. boiling water Wait 10 minutes, strain, drink as tea (do not drink the drink at high temperatures). It is advisable to rinse the mouth with a warm chamomile decoction.
• Sage decoction has an anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effect. Due to the presence of alkaloids in the composition, it is an anesthetic. Used for rinsing the mouth.
• Clove oil has antiseptic and soothing properties. If dentalgia occurs, moisten a cotton swab with a small amount of this product. Apply to the problematic gum. An alternative way to use clove oil is to rub the area of ​​your mouth that is bothering you. In this case, an additional beneficial effect is gum massage. It helps improve blood circulation in their tissue.
• Echinacea infusion. It has antioxidant properties and increases the body's resistance at the local level. To prepare the drink, use 4 tbsp. l. dry raw materials per 2 tbsp. boiling water Wait 10-15 minutes. to activate all the beneficial properties of echinacea under the influence of high temperatures. Use the product for rinsing.
• Propolis . The beekeeping product has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. To achieve this, apply a piece of the product to the problem tooth.

Vodka is known for its anesthetic properties. To eliminate pulsating dentalgia, you need to rinse your gums with vodka, tilting your head to the side of the problem area.

• Garlic. Has intense antiseptic properties. It is enough to apply 1 clove of garlic to the inner surface of the wrist, then securely secure it with a bandage.
• Furacilin. The solution helps reduce swelling, reduce inflammation of the gums, and reduce the intensity of pain. These phenomena are explained by the property of furatsilin to destroy pathogenic microflora.
• Black radish juice . It has a wide range of healing effects - it functions as an antibiotic, strengthens the gums (when they become inflamed, they become loose). Provides protection to problem areas of the oral cavity.
• Ice Cube. Provides pain reduction. But it is characterized by a short-lived effect, aggravating the condition when the sensitivity of the enamel increases.

The listed remedies and recipes do not replace necessary treatment. Therefore, even after eliminating dentalgia, you should visit a dentist. The absence of an unpleasant sensation does not indicate normalization of the tooth’s condition. In addition, the pain syndrome may resume after a certain period of time.

Prevention

You can prevent aching toothache if you constantly monitor your oral hygiene. There is nothing complicated about it: brush your teeth twice, select a toothbrush of medium hardness so that it does not injure the gums and removes plaque well. After eating, rinse your mouth with dental elixir to remove food debris and use dental floss.

For prevention, it is recommended to visit the dentist twice a year and regularly remove tartar. The doctor will notice the first signs of caries at the spot stage. In this case, it is possible to carry out treatment without using a drill and restore the integrity of the enamel. If the cause of toothache does not lie in dental problems, the doctor will refer you to a specialized specialist.

A balanced diet is important. To keep your teeth intact longer, you need to reduce the amount of refined foods containing simple carbohydrates. It is necessary to include raw vegetables with coarse fiber in your diet every day, which is a natural component of foods that cleanse teeth of plaque.

Unconventional ways to relieve pain

It will be possible to enhance the analgesic effect of drugs and alternative remedies through Japanese massage. Dentalgia will decrease or be eliminated if you do the following:

1. Massage vigorously the space between the nose and upper lip.
2. First, apply a little pressure on the earlobe, then run your fingers along the edge of the ear. Repeat several times.
3. Using light movements, massage the carotid artery located on the side of the problematic tooth.

To reduce dentalgia, regular chewing helps - use mint leaves, plantain leaves, and a piece of peeled ginger.

Children and pregnant women

During pregnancy and childhood, dentalgia occurs no less frequently than in representatives of other social groups. Considering the characteristics of both cases, the selection of an analgesic presents certain difficulties. The active components of painkillers are absorbed into the blood of the fetus - they can harm it, cause developmental defects, and fading.

The first dental problems are caused by the growth of teeth. The phenomenon is observed at the age of 4-6 months. For a child, the physiological process during which bone tissue cuts through the gums causes pain and stress. Then it is advisable to apply applications of gels or medicinal pastes to problem areas. They will reduce pain, relieve swelling, inflammation - the child will be able to calm down, fall asleep, and his appetite will normalize.

Acute pain in children occurs in response to a food particle entering the cavity of a carious tooth. A pulsating sensation occurs, which is often confused with inflammation of the ear. Dentalgia is also caused by food getting into a healthy tooth - the foreign body compresses and irritates the enamel. Feeling better is facilitated by the evacuation of the trapped substance - this is easier to achieve by rinsing the mouth. It is advisable to use a baking soda solution.

Dentalgia in pregnant women is treated with gels intended for children - so as not to harm the developing child in utero. They do not contain harmful components and are safe for the fetus. Particular care should be taken during pregnancy in the 1st and 3rd trimesters.

To normalize the well-being of children and expectant mothers, the following remedies are suitable:

• Clove oil.
• Liniment “Star” (the drug needs to be lubricated on the problematic gum).
• Herbal remedies – chamomile, calendula, sage. Use as a decoction for rinsing the mouth.
• It is permissible for children to take Nurofen (the manufacturer indicated the permissible dosage in the instructions).
• Rinse with a solution of baking soda and sea salt.

After you feel better from taking the above remedies, you should rush to the dentist to receive qualified medical care.

Wisdom tooth hurts

A special unit in our body is the wisdom tooth. It usually erupts at the age of 18-25 years, and severe pain may occur. The molar breaks through the bone and gum tissue, essentially tearing it apart. At night, the pain may intensify; it can be relieved with the help of pain-relieving gels (Cholisal, Metrogyl Denta, Asepta) or analgesics.

It’s good if the tooth runs vertically and has enough space in the gum. A much worse option is when the molar breaks through at an angle or even horizontally. The “figure eight” puts pressure on the roots of neighboring teeth and displaces them. In addition to pain, swelling of the gums and cheeks may appear, as well as an increase in body temperature. As a temporary option, you can take painkillers, but the problem will have to be resolved with a surgeon. As always, the sooner the better.

A wisdom tooth can simply hurt due to caries, pulpitis, periodontitis, or cysts. Another reason is inflammation of the so-called hood, a fold on the gum that forms when teeth erupt. The cause of pericoronitis is the accumulation of food particles, which gradually begin to rot, accompanied by pain in the “eight” area. In the most severe situations, pus begins to secrete.

To relieve pain, you can rinse your mouth with warm infusions of herbs (sage, chamomile), use a gel and take a pain reliever. And in the morning - to the doctor.

Important.

A wisdom tooth is also a tooth. But, if it interferes with the normal position of the teeth, causes crowding, or if the dentin is deeply damaged, dentists recommend removing it.

Acute toothache at night

A toothache that occurs at night can cause a person to wake up. Especially if it is caused by pulpitis, caries - if they are present, the unpleasant sensation is difficult to eliminate with analgesics. It is also not uncommon for dentalgia to worsen in the evening and to bother you throughout the night. It is exhausting, causes weakness, irritability, since the fact of discomfort is complemented by a lack of rest.

Independent elimination of dentalgia (without the use of drugs) is a rare case. Most often, this phenomenon is observed precisely during nighttime dental pain. The inflammatory process is regulated by the adrenal cortex. The hormones it produces stop the intensity of the pathology. The reason why improvement in well-being occurs closer to the morning is that in the evening the adrenal glands slow down their activity.

If the toothache occurs outside of the home

Acute dentalgia develops regardless of the location of the person. It is especially difficult if the phenomenon occurs while he is at work. The only correct tactic is to ask management and visit a doctor. If for various reasons it is impossible to leave the workplace, you should immediately take a painkiller. Ketanov, Dolaren are characterized by a long-lasting analgesic effect. 1 tablet is enough to eliminate dentalgia for 5-6 hours. By then the workday will be over and you can visit the dentist. Additionally, you should rinse your mouth with soda or saline solution.

If toothache bothers you on vacation

If dental problems begin to bother you long before your vacation, it is better to stop them first and then go on vacation. It is possible that the specialist will determine the possibility of delayed treatment - upon the patient’s return.

On the eve of the trip, it is important to carefully read the information in the contract concluded with the insurance company. It prescribes the type of assistance that you can count on when the need arises.

Some insurance firms use compensation practices. The costs that the patient incurred while abroad are returned to him upon arrival home. But subject to the presence of a receipt for payment.

In order not to overshadow your vacation with unnecessary troubles with finding a dentist abroad, it is advisable to get a temporary filling from your dentist. Then, upon return, you can begin full treatment.

Toothache is a clear sign of poor health. Only a doctor can determine whether the dental or other area is suffering. He relies on professional experience and examination results to make a diagnosis. The patient cannot solve his problem on his own - he should consult a specialist and receive competent treatment.

What to do if the pills don't help?

It often happens that even after taking strong painkillers, toothache does not subside. This happens for many reasons: advanced caries, pulpitis, severe destruction of the crown, abscess on the root (by the way, practice shows that in this case even local anesthetic injections such as Ultracaine are ineffective). In addition, do not forget about individuality - there are people who are simply not susceptible to the effects of drugs. Also, drugs that affect the nervous system and brain pain centers may not be effective in patients who are in a constant state of stress.

If no pharmaceuticals or folk remedies help, you should not look for a magic pill - you must urgently go to a dental clinic for qualified help.