Why Does My Toothache Hurt Worse at Night?
Your toothache may hurt worse at night because you have fewer distractions from the pain or you’re unconsciously grinding your teeth. There are also other reasons why you’re experiencing pain—all of which you should discuss with one of our Grand Rapids dentists.
Here’s why your toothache could be hurting worse at night.
UNTREATED CAVITY
A toothache is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. That’s why it’s important that you call our office at the first twinge of dental pain. Otherwise, the problem could worsen and require more intensive care.
During your appointment, one of our dentists will examine the inside of your mouth and take X-rays. From this information, we’ll be able to diagnose and treat the source of your dental pain.
FEWER DISTRACTIONS
A lot of us lead busy lives. As such, you may not pay much attention to your body or put your health on the back burner. But when you’re trying to fall asleep, there’s nothing to distract you from the tooth pain you may be experiencing.
It’s always important to pay attention to how your body feels, especially if you have a painful tooth. An oral health issue will not go away on its own, which is why you need to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists for diagnosis and treatment.
The sooner you see one of our dentists, the more likely you’ll be able to avoid a dental emergency.
LATE-NIGHT SNACKING
The bacteria that lives inside your mouth love to snack on sugar, which is why it’s important that you always brush your teeth before heading off to bed. Otherwise, the plaque will eat the sugar and produce an acid. This acid erodes your enamel and attacks your gums, which could increase your risk of tooth sensitivity.
To prevent this problem, brush your teeth twice a day and floss once daily. This will help so you can maintain a healthy smile. Once you’re done eating for the day, we always recommend brushing your teeth.
Related: How to Get Healthy Teeth and Gums →
INCREASED BLOOD CIRCULATION TO THE BRAIN
When you stand upright, not as much blood is able to flow to the brain. But when you lie down to sleep, more blood is able to rush to the brain. The increased blood flow then exerts pressure on the painful tooth. This also increases the amount of inflammation and pain you may experience while trying to fall asleep.
If you have to sleep with a toothache, we recommend sleeping on an extra pillow or two to elevate your head.
TEETH GRINDING
Do you ever wake up with tooth or jaw pain? If so, you may be unconsciously grinding your teeth at night—a condition called .
To know for sure, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with one of our family dentists. They’ll be able to examine your teeth to check for worn enamel and other symptoms.
If you’re diagnosed with bruxism, one of our dentists may recommend that you wear a custom night guard while you sleep. A night guard is an oral appliance that stops the teeth from making contact and grinding together while you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep.
During your appointment, we’ll take impressions of your teeth to send to the lab. When your custom night guard is ready, we’ll call you to schedule a time for your second appointment.
During your visit, one of our dentists will check that the fit of your night guard is comfortable and won’t affect your breathing. Once you’re given the “all-clear,” you’ll be able to take your new night guard home.
DISCOVER RELIEF FROM YOUR TOOTHACHE
If you have a toothache, it’s important that you call our office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Our family dentists in Grand Rapids, MI, will diagnose and treat the source of your dental pain for lasting relief. To schedule an emergency appointment, call Advance Dental at (616) 956-9183.
This blog post has been updated.
