A tooth that barely bothered you during the day can start throbbing as soon as you get into bed. Lying flat can make dental pain feel stronger, and having fewer distractions may make the ache harder to ignore. Grinding your teeth during sleep can also contribute.
Why nighttime can make tooth pain feel worse
Lying down can intensify the pain. Changes in blood flow and pressure when you lie flat may make an already inflamed tooth feel more painful. This can be especially noticeable as a throbbing sensation. Sleeping with your head slightly elevated may offer temporary relief.
There is less to distract you. During the day, work, conversations, and other activities compete for your attention. Once you settle into a quiet room, you may become more aware of discomfort that was already there.
You may be clenching or grinding. Sleep-related teeth grinding, also called bruxism, can cause tooth sensitivity and sore jaw muscles. Morning jaw soreness, headaches, or worn teeth are clues worth mentioning to your dentist. nidcr.nih.gov
What could be causing the toothache?
Several dental problems can cause nighttime pain, including a cavity, a cracked tooth, a damaged filling, gum disease, or inflammation of the pulp, the soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels inside your tooth. An infection or dental abscess is another possibility. NHS
Tell your dentist whether the pain starts on its own, hurts when you bite, or lingers after hot or cold foods. These details help guide the examination and determine which treatment may help. American Association of Endodontists
What you can do for temporary relief
While you arrange dental care, a few steps may make you more comfortable:
Rest with your head slightly elevated instead of lying flat.
Choose soft foods, avoid chewing on the painful side, and skip foods or drinks that are very hot, very cold, or sugary.
For adults, a gentle warm saltwater rinse may help. Spit it out rather than swallowing it.
If you can safely take an over-the-counter pain reliever, follow the package directions. Ask a pharmacist if you have medical conditions, take other medicines, or are pregnant.
Do not place aspirin directly on your tooth or gums, because it can burn the tissue. Home care and pain medicine provide temporary relief; they do not repair a damaged tooth or treat the source of an infection.
When to call a dentist
Contact a dentist promptly if the pain keeps you awake, keeps returning, or lasts more than a day or two. Seek urgent dental care for severe pain that does not improve with appropriate pain relief, facial or jaw swelling, fever, or a bad taste with drainage.
If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling around your eye or neck, seek emergency medical care immediately. Call 911 for breathing difficulty. NHS
Get help for tooth pain in Racine
If a toothache is interrupting your sleep, call iDental Orthodontics and Family Dentistry at (262) 223-0280 to schedule an evaluation. Our team can examine the tooth, explain what is causing the discomfort, and discuss your treatment options.