Why toothache really does hurt more at nigt – and how to handle it

Cologne (dpa) – Lying in bed trying to sleep can be bad enough but it is worse with toothache, which can often hurt and throb more than during the day. Don't worry, it is not "just your imagination," says dentist Jochen Schmidt from Carree Dental in Cologne. He says there are several reasons why toothache often feels worse at night. That sense of increased pain compared to during the day may be "because we are not distracted by anything and concentrate more on it," says Schmidt. And when we are cosy and warm in bed, the inflamed tissue expands, which can also make the discomfort worse. Lying down also puts more pressure on the network of nerves and blood vessels around your mouth, which can make toothache worse. Furthermore, our bodies produce less cortisol, a hormone that has a pain-relieving effect, in the evening. How to reduce the night pain So what should you do when a tooth is acting up and robbing you of your sleep? The first thing to do the next morning is to make an appointment with your dentist, if you haven't already done so. After all, toothache is a sign that something is wrong in your mouth – possibly tooth decay, root inflammation or periodontitis. Meanwhile to bridge the gap until your appointment, cold can be soothing. Take an ice cube to suck on or a cold pack wrapped in a cloth and placed on your cheek. Painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol also relieve the discomfort but medics say these should only be used for a maximum of three days because they can have side effects. Some say chewing on a clove can help. Cloves contain an essential oil – eugenol – seen as analgesic and anti-inflammatory. But Schmidt advises against this home remedy. He and his colleagues have had to remove clove residue from between teeth "several times" which tended to make the discomfort worse, he says. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn rid neb xxde arw

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