What should I do about a severe toothache at night?

A toothache often feels worse at night because you are lying down and have fewer distractions. The first step is to stay calm. Gently rinse your mouth with a glass of warm water in which you have dissolved half a teaspoon of salt. This cleans the area and can ease some of the pressure. Avoid very hot or very cold drinks on the painful tooth.

For the pain, you may take a painkiller you usually tolerate, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the package instructions. Never place an aspirin tablet directly on the gum or tooth, as it burns the tissue. A cold compress against the cheek, twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off, often helps more than heat. Sleep with your head slightly raised to reduce the throbbing.

Persistent or recurring toothache almost always points to an underlying cause, such as deep decay or inflammation of the nerve, that only a dentist can treat. Painkillers mask the signal but do not fix the cause.

So as soon as Cabinet Dentaire Dr. Imad Al Morabit opens, Monday to Friday from 9:00, get in touch to be seen quickly: call 0536 33 22 30 or send a message with a photo on WhatsApp +212 677 677 707. If the pain worsens overnight with fever or swelling, go to the hospital emergency department.