Imagine your day goes by without a hitch. Nothing really went wrong, but you’re looking forward to lying your head down on your pillow. As you start to drift off, a toothache begins to creep up. If that sounds familiar to you, then you might be wondering why you’re feeling it now instead of throughout the day. Continue reading to learn four reasons why a toothache gets worse at night and tips to help relieve the pain until you can call your emergency dentist.
1.) Fewer Distractions
When you are out and about during the daytime, there are hundreds of things that you might be focusing on instead. Maybe you’re thinking about how hot it is that day or pumping up the jam to your favorite song, but these can distract you from a toothache. If you’re like many people, you might need a distraction-free space to sleep well. The only thing that can catch your attention is the whirring of a fan or a white noise machine, so you have more time to focus on dental discomfort than anything else.
2.) Laying Down
The act of lying down can also be the cause! Your blood pressure rises in this position because your heart is even with the rest of your body. Instead of needing to fight gravity, it can more easily pump blood up to your head. The extra pressure on your mouth can make your toothache a little worse.
3.) Bruxism
This habit is the subconscious grinding or clenching of your teeth. You might not be aware that you are doing this during the night, and it can cause excess strain on your smile. When you wake up, you may feel a bit sore, which can feel like a toothache.
4.) Enjoying Midnight Treats
If you get up during the night and feel a little hungry, you may be tempted to enjoy some leftovers or a sweet. However, if you head straight back to bed without cleaning off your teeth, this just might be the cause of your toothache! There are food particles stuck in your mouth that bacteria eat away at. They produce enamel-dissolving acids that can make your teeth more sensitive.
How Can I Relieve a Nighttime Toothache?
A nagging toothache can get in the way of your sleep, but it shouldn’t stop you from getting some rest! To help relieve it for the night, you can try to sleep with an extra pillow or take over-the-counter medication. Some people find success redoing their oral care routine, as it may just be some food that’s stuck between their teeth. In the end, remember that these are only temporary solutions. Your dentist can find the root of the problem and help ensure that your future bedtimes are pain-free.
About the Author
Dr. Michael Byars earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. He has over 15 years of emergency dentistry experience, meaning that he is more than capable of finding the oral health issue you’re struggling with and fixing it. Dr. Byars wants to relieve your toothache as soon as possible, so you can get back to counting sheep without being disrupted. If you are feeling some dental discomfort, schedule an appointment or call us at (816) 781-8222.