Why Toothaches Hurt More at Night

If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know what a large impact it can have on your life. Toothaches can cause you to have trouble concentrating at work or school and may make it hard to enjoy outings with friends and family. Additionally, it may feel nearly impossible to sleep through the night, especially since the pain only seems to intensify. Continue reading to learn about some of the causes of toothaches, why they seem to be worse at night, and how to get enough sleep until you can see your emergency dentist.

7 Causes of Toothaches

Toothaches refer to pain or discomfort that occurs in or around a tooth. Though a minor toothache isn’t too difficult to deal with, a more severe or consistent one can greatly impact your life. There are a variety of potential causes of dental pain, such as:

• Repetitive motions, like teeth grinding (bruxism) or chewing gum
• A tooth erupting from the gums
• A damaged dental filling
• Having a tooth pulled
• A dental abscess
• Infected gums
• Tooth decay

Why Toothaches Are More Noticeable at Night

One reason why toothaches may be more noticeable at night is due to a change in blood flow. When you lay down, more blood flows to the head intensifies. As a result, pressure may build up in sensitive areas of the mouth and cause your toothache to worsen.

Bruxism is another potential cause of toothaches being worse at night. This condition is characterized by jaw clenching and teeth grinding. It’s more common at night, which means that the extra pressure may cause an existing toothache to hurt more.

6 Tips for Sleeping Through the Night with a Toothache

It’s important to see your emergency dentist as soon as possible if you have a toothache. There are a few ways to lessen discomfort so you can sleep through the night until then, including:

• Rinse your mouth –Rinse with a mixture of 1/2 a teaspoon of salt and eight ounces of warm water to kill bacteria and soothe dental pain.
• Use a cold compress – Place an ice pack on the area where the painful tooth is in 15-minute intervals to lessen inflammation and discomfort.
• Elevate your head – Prop up your head with a pillow to prevent excess blood flow.
• Practice good oral hygiene – Brush your teeth twice per day and floss before bed to lessen your risk of cavities and tooth infections.
• Take pain medication – Taking over-the-counter pain medicine, such as Ibuprofen, can alleviate discomfort and swelling.
• Avoid certain foods – Consuming acidic, sweet, hot, cold, or sharp foods may increase tooth pain, so they should be avoided.

About the Practice

West Hartford Dental Group is here to give patients the best dental office experience around. They offer treatments like preventive cleanings and checkups to keep oral health issues at bay. They also offer emergency appointments to patients suffering from dental pain and other urgent oral health issues. If you want to make an appointment with Drs. Phadnis, Dhingra, or Harper or to learn more, call West Hartford Dental Group at (860) 236-4249 or visit their website.