Why Does My Tooth Hurt At Night?

If you are also dealing with nagging tooth pain at night, you have arrived at the right place.

There can be many reasons for this tooth pain, but the most obvious is not maintaining proper oral hygiene and underlying tooth infection.

Tooth pain worsens at night because of the position of your body when you sleep. When laying down, your blood flow will increase in your head putting more pressure on your mouth and bad tooth.

Tooth pain is worse at night and affects your sleeping pattern; thus, making you feel restless throughout the day and have tooth pain all day long. You try different things, but nothing works.

It is crucial to figure out the cause of tooth pain before moving ahead with treatment options.

This article will cover all the possible reasons for tooth pain at night, along with some at-home treatments.

The 7 Possible Reasons for Tooth Pain at Night

Tooth pain is a temporary condition depending on the severity and underlying causes. So, let’s have a look at 7 possible reasons that might be causing you tooth pain at night –

1. Pressure on Sensitive Areas

Laying down in a sleeping position can put heavy pressure on sensitive areas, including the head and mouth. Increased blood flow in these areas causes a throbbing sensation at night. This throbbing sensation is unfelt during sitting or walking due to a lack of pressure during the day.

2. Having Late Night Meals

Having late-night meals and not gargling or brushing before going to bed can affect the teeth quality. It can even develop plaque on the teeth over time. Besides, having sugary meals at night can aggravate an extreme toothache.

3. Unconscious Grinding

Some people have a habit of grinding their teeth with a sore jaw throughout the day. This habit can lead to tooth pain, jaw pain, and even headaches in some cases. 

Teeth grinding can create abnormal alignment of the jaw and situational anxiety. This can affect the health and lifestyle of an individual, too.

4. Cavity

Cavities occur due to the presence of bacteria. It can lead to sensitivity along with damaged or lost tooth filling.

Cavities are common in adults and children. That can cause excessive pain, but are not so severe. With proper treatment, they are easily managed but can damage the teeth completely if not taken care of.

5. Gum Disease

Gum disease includes bleeding, swelling, and red gums that can appear at any place inside the mouth. From mild gingivitis, it can lead to severe periodontal disease that can damage all the potential cells of the mouth. Poor nutrition, hygiene, and smoking habits can lead to rapid gum deterioration and tooth loss.

6. The Emergence of Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that poke through your gums during the age of 18-25 years. The emergence of wisdom teeth can cause pain in the mouth, severe swelling, stiffness, and discomfort.  

7. Migraine

Migraine causes throbbing pain on one side of the head. Though it is less common for migraine to affect other areas, many experiences severe pain in the teeth. This happens due to their connection with the trigeminal nerve. The solution lies in curing migraine and not teeth pain in such cases.

Ways to get Rid of Tooth Pain at Night

Treating toothache with home remedies is not a permanent solution. However, it can provide you with temporary relief. But it is advisable to visit your dentist timely and get appropriate treatment.

Below are a few methods to prevent toothache during the night –

  • Saltwater Rinse

Saltwater is one of the best antibacterial agents that can help reduce inflammation. It can protect the teeth from infection. All you need is a pinch of salt and half a cup of warm water. That will work like magic.

  • Cold Compress

A cold compress can help constrict blood vessels, providing relief to tooth pain and inflammation. You need to hold and press the ice pack outside the cheek and above the affected area for 15-20 minutes. It will numb your dental pain and help you sleep at peace. If you don’t have an ice pack at home, you can wrap some ice cubes in a handkerchief and use it.

  • Head Elevation

Your sleeping position can elevate/demote your tooth pain. So, try to sleep with your head elevated. It prevents the pressure put directly on your face and improves blood circulation. Thus, it alleviates the pain. You can use extra pillows to elevate your head position and easily fall asleep.

  • Clove Oil

Cloves are the best compounds that can reduce tooth pain. It contains Eugenol, an analgesic that can numb the affected area. Hence, you can apply clove oil to the affected area. Take a few drops of clove oil on a cotton ball and apply it gently. Besides, you can simply chew a clove if you are experiencing mild or moderate pain.

  • OTC (Over-The-Counter) Numbing Gels and Tablets

If none of the natural remedies help, you can take the help of some medicated ointments and oral tablets to numb the infected area. However, always seek advice from your dentist before purchasing one and consume it as per the recommended dosage.

When to Consult a Dentist

The DIY (do it yourself) treatments and home remedies only provide temporary relief.

If you are experiencing extreme toothache and nothing works for you, consult a dentist as soon as possible. You might be having an infection and may need medical attention to get rid of it. 

Never ignore the signs of tooth decay, as it can lead to some serious issues. Hence, only a dentist can suggest a permanent solution for your tooth problem. 

If you don’t have a dentist yet, you can take advantage of the internet and search for terms like “dentist near me” or cosmetic dentist Paramus to find one.

Summing Up

A toothache can be a painful situation. Home remedies can aid in sleeping, but they are not a long-term solution. They only provide you with temporary relief.

If your toothache lasts for more than a day or two, you should see a dentist for a complete diagnosis and treatment. They might need to fill a cavity or consider other crucial dental care procedures like root canals or tooth extractions.

You can seek appropriate treatment and change your daily routine to resolve the discomfort. Making the right decision can help you avoid unnecessary complications and pain.

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About the author

I have always been a shopaholic. A lot of times my questions went unanswered when it came to retail questions, so I started Talk Radio News. - Caitlyn Johnson

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