Picture this: it's the middle of the night, you have a toothache that is driving you crazy and there is little you can do until the morning when you can see your dentist. So, what can you do if your tooth is making you miserable and you can't get any sleep? Well, there are a few things you can try that will hopefully take the edge off the pain and get you through the night.

1. Take a traditional painkiller

A great place to start is with over-the-counter pain medication, but do be sure to avoid aspirin, as this may increase the amount of bleeding that occurs if your dentist needs to treat you the next day. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are great choices, and, if they are not enough, try pairing them with one of the options below.

2. Use clove oil

Clove oil is an effective natural remedy for toothache and is worth having in the house for times like this. The taste isn't the most pleasant, but it's worth it as it should help numb the pain of your toothache. Clove oil can be found in most health food shops.

3. Rinse with warm salt water

Don't think that warm salt water is just for sore throats -- it also works wonderfully on sore teeth. To use, place a little salt in a mug of very warm water. Give it a mix and then swish it around your mouth. The salt water will draw fluids from the affected area of your mouth and, if you have an abscess in your mouth, help relieve any pressure.

4. Try to sit upright

As tempting as it will be to lie down, that is the worst thing to do if you're suffering from a bad toothache. Sleeping with your head slightly elevated can help diminish the pain, as that way you limit the effect of increased blood pressure to your head that you have when lying down. So, use pillows to keep your head propped up so you can at least feel comfortable, or, if you have one, sit in a recliner and try and get some sleep.

5. Use an icepack

Cold can be very soothing for a sore tooth, so try placing an ice pack against your cheek to see if that helps. The ice will help reduce any swelling, which is what is often the cause of the pain in the first place. If you don't have an ice pack, simply use a bag of frozen peas or some ice cubes wrapped in a towel. Avoid applying ice directly to the skin, as this can cause skin irritation.

Use these five hacks will get you through the night until you're able to see your dentist, and remember: there is an end in sight!

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