When you have a toothache, the thought of “sleeping it off” can seem appealing. You’d just head to bed and take care of your pain tomorrow; what’s not to love? That said, you may find your toothache is worse at night than it was during the day. You’ll want to find ways to manage your increased pain in that case. So, read on to learn why a toothache can worsen at night and what you should do about it.
Why a Toothache Can Worsen at Night
Several factors can make a toothache worse at night. The most common ones include the following:
Lying in Bed
When you lie in bed at night, you may do more than relieve your posture. You could also be making your tooth pain worse.
The issue relates to bodily pressure. When someone lies in bed, their head becomes level with their heart, lungs, and limbs, causing a shift in blood flow to the face. This shift can lead to a buildup in pressure, which then acts on your mouth and upsets a toothache.
Teeth Grinding
Grinding one’s teeth at night is a common issue with many adverse effects. One such downside is a more intense toothache.
Don’t forget that grinding your teeth wears them down, removing bits of their enamel. This removal – combined with the pressure from your jaw – can easily worsen a toothache. After all, the affected tooth has lost material that protects its inner nerves.
Late-Night Snacking
Late-night snacks can indeed ease cravings. However, they’re just as likely to intensify an existing toothache.
Most nighttime treats are jam-packed with sugar. Given that fact, too much late-night eating can draw tooth-decaying bacteria to your smile. Those microbes would then erode your smile’s enamel, potentially worsening your toothache.
Fewer Distractions
A quiet and peaceful room is the ideal setting for a good night’s sleep. Still, this environment can also make your tooth pain worse.
You see, a calm and noise-free room won’t have many distractions. That means your focus could be drawn to the persistent ache in your tooth. Even as you try to fall asleep, your mind will be occupied with the pain in your mouth.
What Should You Do About It?
Before seeing a dentist the following morning, use these tricks to manage your ache:
- Prop Your Head – By propping your head with extra pillows, you’ll reduce blood flow to your face.
- Take Pain Killers – Dull an achy tooth with a store-bought pain medicine like ibuprofen.
- Get a Night Guard – If the pain stems from grinding, wear a nightguard to protect your pained tooth from the force.
Even if your toothache is worse at night, don’t panic. You can see your dental provider the next weekday morning and get it addressed!
About the Practice
Camenzuli Dental Excellence is based in New Orleans, LA. Led by Dr. Robert Camenzuli, our practice always makes you and your smile our first priority. That means we tailor our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments to your wants and needs, all while providing excellent and cheerful service. Our office also offers amazing and fast-acting emergency dental care. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (504)-895-3400.