What are the most effective home remedies for relieving toothache pain at night. How can you use common household items to alleviate tooth nerve pain and get better sleep. Which natural methods provide the best tooth pain relief without medication.

Understanding the Causes of Nighttime Tooth Pain

Tooth pain that worsens at night can be incredibly disruptive to sleep and overall well-being. But what causes toothaches to feel more intense in the evening hours? There are several potential factors at play:

• Increased blood flow to the head when lying down
• Fewer distractions from pain when trying to rest
• Changes in pressure within the tooth
• Grinding or clenching teeth during sleep
• Sinus issues that worsen when reclined

Understanding the root cause of nighttime tooth pain is crucial for finding effective relief. While seeing a dentist is always recommended for persistent tooth pain, there are several home remedies that may provide temporary relief and help you get some much-needed rest.

Over-the-Counter Pain Medication for Tooth Nerve Pain

One of the quickest and most accessible methods for managing tooth pain is using over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Which medications are most effective for dental discomfort?

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Reduces pain and fever
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): Reduces pain, fever, and inflammation
• Naproxen (Aleve): Long-lasting pain and inflammation relief

When choosing an OTC pain reliever, consider any existing medical conditions or medications you’re taking. Always follow the recommended dosage on the packaging. For severe or persistent pain, consult with a dentist about stronger pain management options.

Combining OTC Medications for Enhanced Relief

In some cases, alternating between acetaminophen and ibuprofen can provide more comprehensive pain relief. This approach targets pain through different mechanisms, potentially offering more effective management of tooth discomfort. However, it’s crucial to carefully track dosages and timing to avoid exceeding recommended limits.

Cold Compress Therapy: A Simple Yet Effective Approach

Applying a cold compress to the affected area can significantly reduce tooth pain and inflammation. How does this method work to alleviate discomfort?

1. Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the area
2. Decreased blood flow helps minimize swelling and inflammation
3. The cold sensation can temporarily numb nerve endings, dulling pain

To use this method, wrap a bag of ice or frozen vegetables in a thin towel and apply it to the outside of your cheek near the painful tooth. Hold it in place for 15-20 minutes at a time, repeating every few hours as needed. This can be especially helpful before bedtime to reduce pain and make falling asleep easier.

Alternating Hot and Cold Therapy

Some individuals find relief by alternating between hot and cold compresses. This approach can help stimulate blood flow and reduce pain. Apply a warm compress for 5 minutes, followed by a cold compress for 5 minutes, repeating the cycle several times. However, if heat seems to worsen the pain, stick with cold therapy alone.

Elevation Techniques for Reducing Tooth Pain at Night

Elevating your head while sleeping can help alleviate tooth pain by reducing blood flow and pressure in the affected area. How can you effectively elevate your head for pain relief?

• Use an extra pillow or two to prop up your head
• Try a wedge pillow designed for elevation
• Adjust your bed’s headboard to a slightly inclined position

The key is to find a comfortable position that keeps your head elevated without straining your neck or back. Experiment with different heights and pillow arrangements to find what works best for you. This method can be particularly effective when combined with other pain relief techniques.

Natural Antibacterial Rinses for Tooth Infection Relief

Bacterial infections are a common cause of tooth pain. Using natural antibacterial rinses can help reduce inflammation and fight infection, providing relief from discomfort. What are some effective natural rinses for tooth pain?

Salt Water Rinse

A simple salt water rinse is a time-tested remedy for tooth pain and gum inflammation. To prepare a salt water rinse:

1. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water
2. Swish the solution in your mouth for 30 seconds
3. Spit out the solution (do not swallow)
4. Repeat 2-3 times daily

Salt water helps reduce inflammation by drawing out excess fluid from the gums. It also creates an alkaline environment that’s inhospitable to bacteria, potentially slowing their growth and reducing infection.

Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse

Hydrogen peroxide has antibacterial properties that can help alleviate tooth pain caused by infection. To use hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse:

1. Mix equal parts 3% food-grade hydrogen peroxide and water
2. Swish the solution in your mouth for 30 seconds
3. Spit out the solution and rinse thoroughly with plain water
4. Use once daily until pain subsides

It’s important to note that hydrogen peroxide should always be diluted and never swallowed. This remedy is not suitable for children due to the risk of accidental ingestion.

Herbal Remedies and Essential Oils for Tooth Pain Relief

Many herbs and essential oils have natural pain-relieving and antibacterial properties that can help alleviate tooth pain. Which herbal remedies are most effective for dental discomfort?

Peppermint for Pain Relief

Peppermint contains menthol, which has mild numbing and antibacterial properties. To use peppermint for tooth pain:

• Brew a strong peppermint tea and use it as a cool mouth rinse
• Apply a cooled peppermint tea bag directly to the affected area
• Use a drop of food-grade peppermint essential oil diluted in a carrier oil for topical application

Peppermint can provide temporary relief from pain and may help reduce inflammation in the gums.

Clove Oil for Numbing and Antibacterial Effects

Clove oil contains eugenol, a compound with powerful numbing and antibacterial properties. To use clove for tooth pain:

• Apply a small amount of diluted clove oil directly to the affected tooth and surrounding gum
• Create a paste using ground cloves and water, applying it to the painful area
• Gently chew on a whole clove, allowing it to sit near the painful tooth

While clove can be very effective for tooth pain, it should be used cautiously as it can cause irritation if applied in high concentrations. Always dilute clove oil before use and avoid giving whole cloves to children, as they may pose a choking hazard.

Garlic as a Natural Antibiotic

Garlic has been used for centuries as a natural antibiotic and pain reliever. Its active compound, allicin, has antimicrobial properties that may help fight tooth infections. To use garlic for tooth pain:

1. Crush a fresh garlic clove to create a paste
2. Apply the paste directly to the affected tooth
3. Leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing

While garlic can be effective, its strong odor and taste may be unpleasant for some. Additionally, raw garlic can potentially irritate sensitive gum tissue, so use this remedy with caution.

Lifestyle Adjustments to Manage Nighttime Tooth Pain

In addition to specific remedies, making certain lifestyle adjustments can help manage tooth pain and promote better sleep. What changes can you make to reduce nighttime tooth discomfort?

• Avoid cold or hot foods and beverages before bed
• Steer clear of sugary or acidic snacks in the evening
• Practice good oral hygiene, including gentle brushing and flossing
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to minimize irritation
• Try sleeping on the unaffected side of your mouth
• Manage stress to reduce teeth grinding or clenching at night

Implementing these changes alongside other pain relief methods can significantly improve your comfort and sleep quality when dealing with tooth pain.

When to Seek Professional Dental Care

While home remedies can provide temporary relief, persistent or severe tooth pain often requires professional attention. When should you consult a dentist for your tooth pain?

• Pain lasts more than 1-2 days
• You experience fever, swelling, or discharge
• The pain is severe or interferes with daily activities
• You have difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing
• There’s visible damage to the tooth or surrounding gum tissue

Remember, these home remedies are meant for temporary relief and should not replace professional dental care. Ignoring persistent tooth pain can lead to more serious complications, so don’t hesitate to seek help from a qualified dentist if your symptoms don’t improve or worsen over time.

Emergency Dental Care Options

If you’re experiencing severe tooth pain outside of regular dental office hours, consider these options for emergency care:

• Contact your dentist’s after-hours emergency line
• Visit an emergency dental clinic if available in your area
• Go to an urgent care center or emergency room for severe pain or infection

Many dental offices offer emergency services or can provide guidance on managing pain until you can be seen. Don’t suffer through severe tooth pain – seek professional help when needed to address the underlying cause and prevent further complications.

9 methods to get rid of toothache at night

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Was this helpful?

Having a toothache at night can make falling asleep or staying asleep very difficult. Methods to relieve or reduce the pain range from taking pain relief medication to chewing on a clove or using an extra pillow.

However, there are a number of remedies that may help people find relief and get to sleep, including taking pain relievers or applying a cold compress or even cloves to the tooth.

In this article, learn more about nine home remedies for relieving a toothache at night.

Treating a toothache at night may be more difficult, as there is not much to distract a person from the pain.

However, people can try the following methods to relieve pain:

1. Oral pain medication

Taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) is a quick, simple way for many people to effectively reduce mild-to-moderate toothaches.

Always stay within the recommended dosage on the packaging.

If the toothache is severe, it is best to see a dentist and speak to them about stronger pain relievers.

2.

Cold compress

Using a cold compress may help ease the pain of a toothache.

Applying a bag of ice wrapped in a towel to the affected side of the face or jaw helps constrict the blood vessels in the area, which can reduce pain to allow a person to fall asleep.

Applying a cold compress to the area for 15–20 minutes every few hours in the evening may also help prevent pain when going to bed.

3. Elevation

Pooling blood in the head may cause additional pain and inflammation. For some people, elevating the head with an extra pillow or two may relieve the pain enough for them to fall asleep.

4. Medicated ointments

Some medicated ointments may also help reduce toothache pain. OTC numbing gels and ointments that contain ingredients such as benzocaine may numb the area.

However, benzocaine is not suitable for use by young children.

5. Salt water rinse

A simple salt water rinse is a common home remedy for a toothache.

Salt water is a natural antibacterial agent, so it may reduce inflammation. This, in turn, helps protect damaged teeth from infection.

Rinsing with salt water may also help remove any food particles or debris stuck in the teeth or gums.

6. Hydrogen peroxide rinse

Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that generally occurs as a result of poor oral hygiene. It can cause issues such as soreness, bleeding gums, and teeth that come loose in their sockets.

The author of a 2016 study found that rinsing with hydrogen peroxide mouthwash helped reduce plaque and symptoms of periodontitis.

People should always dilute food-grade hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water. Swish the solution in the mouth, but do not swallow it.

This remedy is not suitable for children, as there is a risk they may accidentally swallow the mixture.

7. Peppermint tea

Swishing peppermint tea or sucking on peppermint tea bags may also help temporarily relieve pain from a toothache.

Researchers note that peppermint contains antibacterial and antioxidant compounds. Menthol, an active ingredient in peppermint, may also have a mild numbing effect on sensitive areas.

8. Clove

Eugenol, which is one of the main compounds in cloves, can reduce tooth pain. The results of a 2015 clinical trial indicated that people who applied eugenol to their gums and socket after having a tooth extracted had less pain and inflammation during healing.

Eugenol acts as an analgesic, which means that it numbs the area. To use clove for a toothache, soak ground cloves in water to make a paste. Then, apply the paste to the tooth, or put it in an empty tea bag and place it in the mouth.

Alternatively, gently chewing or sucking on a single clove and then allowing it to sit near the painful tooth may help relieve pain.

This is not a suitable remedy for children, as they may swallow too much clove. Single cloves can be spiky and painful if a person swallows them.

9. Garlic

Garlic is a common household ingredient that some people use to relieve toothache pain.

Allicin, which is the main compound in garlic, has a strong antibacterial effect that may help kill the bacteria in the mouth that lead to cavities and tooth pain.

Simply chewing a clove of garlic and allowing it to sit near the tooth may help relieve pain. That said, the taste of raw garlic can be too strong for some people, so this may not be the right solution for everyone.

Tooth decay is a very common cause of a toothache. Tooth decay may lead to cavities if a person does not receive treatment.

Cavities occur when acids and bacteria break through the enamel and eat away at the delicate tissues inside the tooth. This can expose the nerve, causing mild-to-severe pain.

Sinus infections may also cause toothache in some people. This symptom occurs as the infection drains from the head. Symptoms such as pain and pressure from the infection may hurt more at night.

Other potential causes for a toothache include:

• losing a filling
• dental abscesses
• trauma to the jaw
• a wisdom tooth or adult tooth coming in
• food stuck in the teeth or gums
• grinding the teeth at night
• gum disease

Toothaches can be painful in the day, but they may seem to get worse at night.

One reason that this may occur is because when a person is lying down, blood rushes to the head. This extra blood in the area may increase the pain and pressure that people feel from a toothache.

Another reason why many aches feel worse at night is because there are fewer distractions. With little else to focus on but the toothache, a person may find it difficult to fall asleep.

People with a toothache at night should see a dentist as soon as possible. Any home remedies are only for temporary relief.

If the toothache also comes with other signs of an infection, a person may need antibiotics to clear out the infection.

When a cracked or decaying tooth is causing the pain, a person should see their dentist. They will be able to find a permanent solution.

Ignoring the signs of tooth decay, such as an aching tooth, may lead to more serious issues, including abscesses, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Dealing with a toothache is a painful experience. Although many home remedies can provide temporary relief and help a person get some sleep, they are not permanent solutions.

Anyone who experiences a toothache for longer than 1 or 2 days without symptoms of a sinus infection should see a dentist for a full diagnosis and treatment.

They may need to clean out a cavity or consider more serious options, such as root canals or tooth extractions.

Some of the home remedies in this article are available in stores and online:

• Shop for ibuprofen.
• Shop for cold compresses.
• Shop for medicated ointments.
• Shop for hydrogen peroxide.
• Shop for peppermint tea.

9 methods to get rid of toothache at night

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Was this helpful?

Having a toothache at night can make falling asleep or staying asleep very difficult. Methods to relieve or reduce the pain range from taking pain relief medication to chewing on a clove or using an extra pillow.

However, there are a number of remedies that may help people find relief and get to sleep, including taking pain relievers or applying a cold compress or even cloves to the tooth.

In this article, learn more about nine home remedies for relieving a toothache at night.

Treating a toothache at night may be more difficult, as there is not much to distract a person from the pain.

However, people can try the following methods to relieve pain:

1. Oral pain medication

Taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) is a quick, simple way for many people to effectively reduce mild-to-moderate toothaches.

Always stay within the recommended dosage on the packaging.

If the toothache is severe, it is best to see a dentist and speak to them about stronger pain relievers.

2. Cold compress

Using a cold compress may help ease the pain of a toothache.

Applying a bag of ice wrapped in a towel to the affected side of the face or jaw helps constrict the blood vessels in the area, which can reduce pain to allow a person to fall asleep.

Applying a cold compress to the area for 15–20 minutes every few hours in the evening may also help prevent pain when going to bed.

3. Elevation

Pooling blood in the head may cause additional pain and inflammation. For some people, elevating the head with an extra pillow or two may relieve the pain enough for them to fall asleep.

4. Medicated ointments

Some medicated ointments may also help reduce toothache pain. OTC numbing gels and ointments that contain ingredients such as benzocaine may numb the area.

However, benzocaine is not suitable for use by young children.

5. Salt water rinse

A simple salt water rinse is a common home remedy for a toothache.

Salt water is a natural antibacterial agent, so it may reduce inflammation. This, in turn, helps protect damaged teeth from infection.

Rinsing with salt water may also help remove any food particles or debris stuck in the teeth or gums.

6. Hydrogen peroxide rinse

Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that generally occurs as a result of poor oral hygiene. It can cause issues such as soreness, bleeding gums, and teeth that come loose in their sockets.

The author of a 2016 study found that rinsing with hydrogen peroxide mouthwash helped reduce plaque and symptoms of periodontitis.

People should always dilute food-grade hydrogen peroxide with equal parts water. Swish the solution in the mouth, but do not swallow it.

This remedy is not suitable for children, as there is a risk they may accidentally swallow the mixture.

7. Peppermint tea

Swishing peppermint tea or sucking on peppermint tea bags may also help temporarily relieve pain from a toothache.

Researchers note that peppermint contains antibacterial and antioxidant compounds. Menthol, an active ingredient in peppermint, may also have a mild numbing effect on sensitive areas.

8. Clove

Eugenol, which is one of the main compounds in cloves, can reduce tooth pain. The results of a 2015 clinical trial indicated that people who applied eugenol to their gums and socket after having a tooth extracted had less pain and inflammation during healing.

Eugenol acts as an analgesic, which means that it numbs the area. To use clove for a toothache, soak ground cloves in water to make a paste. Then, apply the paste to the tooth, or put it in an empty tea bag and place it in the mouth.

Alternatively, gently chewing or sucking on a single clove and then allowing it to sit near the painful tooth may help relieve pain.

This is not a suitable remedy for children, as they may swallow too much clove. Single cloves can be spiky and painful if a person swallows them.

9. Garlic

Garlic is a common household ingredient that some people use to relieve toothache pain.

Allicin, which is the main compound in garlic, has a strong antibacterial effect that may help kill the bacteria in the mouth that lead to cavities and tooth pain.

Simply chewing a clove of garlic and allowing it to sit near the tooth may help relieve pain. That said, the taste of raw garlic can be too strong for some people, so this may not be the right solution for everyone.

Tooth decay is a very common cause of a toothache. Tooth decay may lead to cavities if a person does not receive treatment.

Cavities occur when acids and bacteria break through the enamel and eat away at the delicate tissues inside the tooth. This can expose the nerve, causing mild-to-severe pain.

Sinus infections may also cause toothache in some people. This symptom occurs as the infection drains from the head. Symptoms such as pain and pressure from the infection may hurt more at night.

Other potential causes for a toothache include:

• losing a filling
• dental abscesses
• trauma to the jaw
• a wisdom tooth or adult tooth coming in
• food stuck in the teeth or gums
• grinding the teeth at night
• gum disease

Toothaches can be painful in the day, but they may seem to get worse at night.

One reason that this may occur is because when a person is lying down, blood rushes to the head. This extra blood in the area may increase the pain and pressure that people feel from a toothache.

Another reason why many aches feel worse at night is because there are fewer distractions. With little else to focus on but the toothache, a person may find it difficult to fall asleep.

People with a toothache at night should see a dentist as soon as possible. Any home remedies are only for temporary relief.

If the toothache also comes with other signs of an infection, a person may need antibiotics to clear out the infection.

When a cracked or decaying tooth is causing the pain, a person should see their dentist. They will be able to find a permanent solution.

Ignoring the signs of tooth decay, such as an aching tooth, may lead to more serious issues, including abscesses, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Dealing with a toothache is a painful experience. Although many home remedies can provide temporary relief and help a person get some sleep, they are not permanent solutions.

Anyone who experiences a toothache for longer than 1 or 2 days without symptoms of a sinus infection should see a dentist for a full diagnosis and treatment.

They may need to clean out a cavity or consider more serious options, such as root canals or tooth extractions.

Some of the home remedies in this article are available in stores and online:

• Shop for ibuprofen.
• Shop for cold compresses.
• Shop for medicated ointments.
• Shop for hydrogen peroxide.
• Shop for peppermint tea.

Painkillers for dental treatment: anesthesia in dentistry

Every second person who has experienced a toothache does not dare to seek help from a dentist in a timely manner. And the reason for this is an elementary fear of painful sensations during medical procedures. The issue of anesthesia is acute and relevant for modern dentistry. Consider common painkillers that are used in dentistry and can help get rid of the phobia of pain experienced during dental procedures.

More recently, the use of anesthetics to relieve pain during dental treatment has become a standard part of this procedure. Anesthesia is a loss of sensation, in whole or in part, in a certain area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe body or in certain parts of it. As a rule, this effect is achieved by administering to the patient an individually calculated amount of medications that block the flow of pain signals from the area of ​​dental intervention to the brain.

In dentistry, anesthesia is used directly during therapeutic or surgical procedures. The dentist does a tremendous amount of work in a short period of time, while causing minimal harm to the human body.

The need for pain relief in dental treatment

There are several times more nerve endings in tooth tissues than on human skin. The dental nerve is highly sensitive and conductive to pain. Therefore, toothache is the most severe of all. Carrying out dental treatment, the dentist must correctly perform anesthesia, otherwise the patient will not escape torment.

Feeling pain, the patient may involuntarily make a sudden movement, which will cause instrument breakage or damage to the oral cavity. Some patients, unable to overcome the fear of injections, want to do without anesthesia. This is wrong: the body can react unpredictably to a toothache. First, the pain raises adrenaline in the body, which provokes a rapid heartbeat. Secondly, immediately increases blood pressure and blood sugar.

It can be said with certainty that in dentistry anesthesia is necessary to prevent deterioration of the general condition of a person.

Recommendations for the use of anesthesia in dentistry

The implementation of anesthesia is necessary for the following dental procedures:

• therapy in the treatment of deep caries, as this affects the deep layers of dentin;
• nerve removal (depulpation) is a common operation, especially in case of advanced caries;
• tooth extraction operation;
• any surgical manipulations in the oral cavity – suturing, removal of formations;
• tooth preparation for prosthetics or implantation.

Also used drugs with analgesic effect in the elimination of medium caries.

Restrictions on the use of painkillers

Before any intervention or administration of anesthesia to the patient, the attending physician must conduct a conversation, during which he learns about the presence or absence of pathologies:

• chronic heart disease;
• stroke suffered by the patient within six months;
• allergic to certain medications;
• diabetes mellitus.

Each possible disease from the above list must be taken into account in order to avoid unwanted complications.

Pay special attention to small patients. Treatment of children’s teeth without anesthesia is impossible, so moral preparation is important. An experienced doctor will be able to find an approach to the child, not to frighten him with a syringe with a needle, but to administer anesthesia as painlessly and delicately as possible for the fragile psyche of the child. If the child is very impressionable or is not sufficiently aware of what will be done with him, the use of sedatives, sedatives, is fully justified.

Rules to follow

In order to maximize the effect of the use of anesthesia and avoid serious negative consequences during this, the patient should follow these simple recommendations before dental procedures:

1. Women should not plan a trip to the dentist during menstruation.
2. The patient should refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages the day before the treatment. The combination of alcohol and drugs in the body can have a negative effect on human health.
3. If you feel unwell, especially related to the nasopharynx, it is better to postpone the previously planned dental procedures. Difficulty in nasal breathing, swelling of the throat are the first signs of infection, and manipulations in the oral cavity will aggravate the situation.

Types of anesthesia in the dental office

Anesthesia can be general and local. There is also a distinction between drug and non-drug anesthesia. The latter method of anesthesia is rarely used, it includes:

• Electroanalgesia. A direct electric current or electrophoresis is used with anesthetics such as Novocaine or Trimecaine.
• Audio analgesia. Sound anesthesia, which consists in the use of quiet music and monotonous sounds that calm the patient.
• Computer anesthesia technique that allows the administration of anesthetic under computer control. The possibility of an overdose and the occurrence of not the most pleasant sensations during the injection procedure is completely excluded.

Medical anesthesia is based on the administration of an individually selected anesthetic. Absolutely blocking the flow of pain signals to the cerebral cortex. Due to this, for the necessary period of time, sensitivity is lost in that area of ​​​​the body that lends itself to intervention. After the completion of the surgical intervention, the drug is independently excreted from the tissues and the sensitivity returns.

This anesthesia is considered one of the most common and allows you to protect the patient from pain at the time of dental manipulation. General anesthesia is rarely used. The exception is cases when it is necessary to carry out an extensive number of procedures for various purposes, taking into account the patient’s intolerance to certain components of anesthetics for local use. Such anesthesia is allowed to be used in the treatment of teeth in children from four years of age or during maxillofacial operations.

Local anesthesia in dentistry: types, advantages and disadvantages

In many standard situations, the treatment or complete extraction of a tooth is carried out using local anesthesia. Thanks to this method of anesthesia, dentists can eliminate pain. However, after the introduction of an anesthetic, the sensitivity is not completely lost: the patient feels a touch, which causes discomfort. To minimize this kind of inconvenience, the patient is prescribed sedatives on the eve of the manipulation. Common local anesthetics among a huge number of clinics: Novocaine and Lidocaine.

In the medical practice of modern dental science, more effective medicines are also used. Dentists distinguish six methods of local anesthesia, based on the scope and methods of drug administration:

1. Application anesthesia is designed for superficial anesthesia. The dentist sprays the spray on the desired area in the mouth. Treatment with an ointment containing an anesthetic of a part of the mucous membrane is possible. Such manipulation is carried out by the doctor right before the procedure. The main component of such a tool is Lidocaine (10%) in aerosol cans. Application anesthesia is practiced when grinding a tooth before prosthetics or with reduced sensitivity of soft tissues. Such anesthesia is carried out even with stomatitis, gingivitis and the need to open small suppurations.
2. If one tooth is being worked on and only it needs to be anesthetized, the dentist uses infiltration anesthesia. With its help, one tooth with a small part of the mucous membrane near it is deprived of sensitivity. This is how deep caries is treated and the nerve bundle is removed. The injection is injected into the protection of the upper part of the tooth. It blocks the passage of the signal from the area of ​​irritation. This method is used when treating teeth in the upper jaw: it is thinner than the lower jaw and the anesthetic penetrates more easily to the nerve endings.
3. Conductor. Designed to anesthetize two adjacent teeth. Or when infiltration anesthesia does not properly anesthetize the desired area. Conduction anesthesia is effective when extracting a tooth, opening abscesses, exacerbating chronic periodontitis and cleaning the cavity from purulent foci.
4. Intraligamentary anesthesia is used for children in dentistry: it is anesthetized in the treatment of caries and its possible complications. The mucous membrane retains sensitivity so that the child does not involuntarily bite through the tongue, cheek or lips.
5. Tooth extraction is accompanied by intraosseous anesthesia: the effect is lightning-fast, but not long-lasting. The dentist makes an injection in the gum, an anesthetic drug blocks the sensitivity in a particular tooth. Local numbness sets in, after which the dentist makes a second injection into the lip from the inside.
6. Stem anesthesia is used in situations where the degree of pain experienced by the patient is high, with neuralgia, with significant injuries of the jaws or cheekbones, when surgical intervention cannot be avoided. Nerves are blocked simultaneously in both jaws. The use of such anesthesia is more effective and longer in time.

Medicines used in dentistry for pain relief

Many dentists prefer to work with articaine drugs. The choice is justified by their effectiveness and an order of magnitude higher quality than Lidocaine and Novocaine. The main advantage of such painkillers is the direct effect on the foci of inflammation. Often, the composition of painkillers includes adrenaline with epinephrine. Under their action, vasoconstriction occurs, the strength of the drug increases.

The most commonly used anesthetics:

• Ultracaine is a pain reliever from France, which is produced in three modifications. The difference is based on the concentration of epiniphrine and its concentration in the formulation. The absence of such a component, which has a vasodilating effect, affects the duration of anesthesia: it reduces it by 20 minutes. The anesthetic can be administered to children from 4 years old and pregnant women. A separate form of the drug has its own list of contraindications.
• The composition of the anesthetic Ubistezin is similar to Ultracaine. It is developed and produced in two forms, the difference between which is in different concentrations of epinephron. On average, it lasts 30-40 minutes. Designed for patients suffering from heart disease and patients with high blood pressure. Used in standard procedures: extraction and treatment of teeth.
• Anesthetic Septanest contains articaine and epinephrine with a small amount of preservatives. It is allowed to apply to pregnant women, during the lactation period, children from 4 years old. It is forbidden to use this pain reliever for allergy sufferers. The effect of the drug lasts no more than five minutes.

First aid for toothache

In those distant times, when I was a little girl, and the drill sounded more like a drill in terms of sound and speed, I was usually dragged into the dentist’s office along with a bench. My compassionate grandmother then tried more than one folk prescription for pain relief on me. Now, of course, it’s different. I came to a smiling dentist, sat down in a chair and some even say that they had a rest. What if it’s night? Does your tooth hurt? “Help yourself!” called. But how to do it and not harm your health? How to save a broken tooth? Ekaterina Ivanova, candidate of medical sciences, surgeon, and Anna Redko, orthodontist, answer a sick (in the literal sense) question.

Initially, you need to figure out what is the cause of the pain and how serious it is. Dentists have been studying this for years, but if briefly and without scientific details, then the situation is approximately as follows.

When an average caries occurs (the appearance of a defect in the tooth wall), which in our understanding is “usual” caries, the tooth painfully reacts to sour, sweet and other food irritants . In rare cases, there is no pain, the defect may be closed by an adjacent tooth or gingival papilla.

The next stage in the development of tooth damage is deep caries. This means that the dental nerve is very close and inflammation can soon move to it. At the same time, the tooth painfully reacts not only to sour and sweet, but also to thermal stimuli – especially to cold. An important feature: in all types of caries, pain immediately stops after removal of the stimulus.

If the nerve of the tooth is affected – pulpitis, pain can be paroxysmal, acute, aggravated at night, from cold (at the initial stage) and from hot. With pulpitis, unlike caries, the pain does not disappear immediately after the removal of the irritant. We do not advise anyone to wait out pulpitis pain! The nerve will die – the pain will also disappear, but without the qualified help of a dentist, an infection will remain that will spread further beyond the tooth into the bone tissue.

Remedies to relieve pain before seeing a dentist:

Rinse. These can be either homemade remedies or medicinal ones. Homemade include: a warm solution of water with soda, a decoction of chamomile, sage, calendula or oak bark, which you can rinse your tooth several times a day (on average three to five times), or you can just keep it on the sore side.

Medicines – ready-made concentrated alcohol solution, a mixture of herbs – stomatophyte. Rinses such as Colgate, Blend-a-Med are additional oral hygiene and do not have an analgesic effect. There are also anti-inflammatory drugs such as Nice, Ibuprofen, Xefocam. It should be borne in mind that taking a very large number of painkillers when contacting a doctor reduces the sensitivity to local anesthesia drugs.

Products that CANNOT be used:

1. Vodka rinses. You have to upset the men who rinse their mouths with vodka and claim that it helps. Alas, neither external nor internal reception will relieve you of a toothache. Although if you overdo it with the amount of “medicine”, it will dull the pain, but subsequently the vessels will expand and all inflammatory reactions will only intensify. In addition, as a result of such treatment, a burn and an ulcer of the mucous membrane are possible, as a result of which the picture of the inflammatory process will be blurred.