Toothache at Night: What to do in Emergency in Geneva?
The pain hits at 2 a.m. Impossible to sleep. The cheek pulses. The cold makes it worse. The heat too. You are in Geneva and you don’t know what to do.
Nighttime toothache is one of the most common dental emergencies. It has specific causes. And there are concrete actions to relieve it while waiting for an appointment.
Why is tooth pain worse at night?
It’s not an impression. Tooth pain really gets worse at night. Several mechanisms explain this phenomenon.
The lying position. In the lying position, blood flows more to the head. Pressure increases in the vessels around the tooth. The inflammation already present gets worse. The pain intensifies.
The absence of distractions. During the day, work and activities distract attention. At night, silence and stillness focus all perception on pain.
The drop in cortisol. Cortisol, a natural anti-inflammatory hormone, reaches its lowest level in the middle of the night. The inflammation is no longer slowed down. The pain increases.
Nocturnal bruxism. Clenching or grinding your teeth during sleep puts enormous pressure on an already weakened tooth. The pain can wake you up suddenly.
The causes of toothache
Toothache is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Several pathologies cause it.
Deep decay. The decay has reached the dental pulp (the nerve). Inflammation of the pulp (pulpitis) causes intense, stabbing pain that radiates throughout the jaw. This is the most common cause.
Tooth abscess. The infection in the pulp has spread to the bone and soft tissue around the root. The pain is violent. Swelling and fever may accompany the abscess.
Cracked tooth. A crack invisible to the naked eye can expose dentin or pulp. The pain is severe when chewing and with changes in temperature.
Pericoronitis. Infection of the gums around a semi-impacted wisdom tooth. Common in young adults.
Advanced gum disease. Severe periodontitis can cause acute pain, especially if a periodontal abscess has formed.
What to do immediately: emergency actions
1. Take a painkiller
Ibuprofen 400 mg (Irfen, Algifor): anti-inflammatory and painkiller. It is the first choice for dental pain. Take it with some food. Do not exceed 1,200 mg per day.
Paracetamol 1,000 mg (Dafalgan, Panadol): if you cannot take ibuprofen (allergy, ulcer, pregnancy). Less effective alone on inflammatory dental pain.
Ibuprofen + paracetamol combination: the combination of the two is more effective than each alone. Take them alternately every 3 hours. This combination is recommended by clinical studies for acute dental pain.
Never take aspirin for tooth pain. Aspirin thins the blood and can make bleeding worse in the event of subsequent intervention.
2. Elevate your head
Sleep with two pillows. The semi-sitting position reduces blood flow to the painful area. The pressure decreases. Pain too.
3. Apply cold
An ice pack wrapped in a cloth, applied to the cheek for 15 minutes. The cold reduces inflammation and partially numbs the area. Never put ice directly on the skin.
4. Rinse with salt water
A teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water. Rinse your mouth for 30 seconds. Salt has a mild antiseptic effect and can help drain an early abscess.
5. Avoid certain things
- Do not put aspirin directly on the gum (chemical burn)
- Avoid very hot or very cold foods and drinks
- Do not smoke (aggravates inflammation)
- Do not puncture an abscess yourself
When to consult urgently in Geneva?
See immediately if: - The swelling spreads (cheek, eye, neck) - You have a fever (> 38°C) - You have difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing - Pain does not respond to painkillers
These signs may indicate a severe abscess requiring urgent antibiotic treatment and drainage.
Where to consult a dental emergency in Geneva?
Studio Smile – Chêne-Bougeries. Emergency consultations available. Call when it opens for a same-day appointment. The emergency number is available on the site.
On-call dental clinic. On weekends and public holidays, a dental on-call service is organized in Geneva. Find out more from the Swiss Society of Odonto-Stomatology (SSO) Geneva section.
Geneva University Hospitals (HUG). The HUG dental medicine service provides an emergency service. This is the last resort solution, at night and on weekends.
What treatment to treat toothache?
Treatment depends on the cause.
Reversible pulpitis: caries treatment and filling. The pain disappears after the treatment.
Irreversible pulpitis: root treatment (devitalization). The inflamed nerve is removed. The tooth is preserved but devitalized.
Dental abscess: antibiotics + drainage of the abscess + root treatment or extraction depending on the condition of the tooth.
Infected wisdom tooth: antibiotics + extraction of the wisdom tooth once the infection is controlled.
FAQ
Can you die from a dental abscess? It is extremely rare in Switzerland but dental abscess is a serious infection. Untreated, it can spread to the respiratory tract (Ludwig’s angina) or the blood (sepsis). Never ignore an abscess with fever and significant swelling.
Is ibuprofen dangerous for teeth? No. Ibuprofen is the gold standard for dental pain. It reduces inflammation at the source. Follow the recommended doses and duration.
How much does a dental emergency cost in Geneva? The cost depends on the care needed. An emergency consultation with x-ray costs around 150 to 250 CHF. Emergency root treatment between 500 and 1,200 CHF. A surcharge may apply for emergency appointments.
Do essential oils relieve toothache? Clove (eugenol) has a recognized local anesthetic effect. Apply a drop of clove essential oil to a cotton pad and place it on the painful area. It is a temporary palliative, not a treatment.
Unbearable dental pain? Contact Studio Smile in Chêne-Bougeries for rapid treatment. Dental emergencies with same day appointment. Don’t stay with the pain.