If you’ve ever been kept awake by a throbbing toothache, you’re not alone. Many people notice that tooth pain seems to become much more intense after the sun goes down. While the pain isn’t necessarily getting worse, several factors can make it feel more severe at night.
Understanding why nighttime toothaches occur can help you know when it’s time to seek professional dental care.
Increased Blood Flow When You Lie Down
One of the most common reasons a toothache feels worse at night is your body position.
When you lie flat in bed, more blood flows to your head. This increased circulation can put additional pressure on inflamed tissues inside and around a painful tooth, making the discomfort more noticeable.
If you’re waiting to see your dentist, sleeping with your head slightly elevated may help reduce some of this pressure and make it easier to rest.
Fewer Distractions
During the day, you’re busy with work, school, errands, and conversations. These activities naturally distract your brain from minor aches and pains.
At night, however, your environment becomes much quieter. Without the usual distractions, you’re more likely to focus on the throbbing, aching, or sensitivity coming from your tooth.
This doesn’t necessarily mean the dental problem has worsened—it simply means you’re more aware of the pain.
Tooth Infections Often Become More Painful
Persistent or severe toothaches are frequently caused by problems such as:
- Deep cavities.
- An infected tooth pulp.
- A dental abscess.
- Cracked or fractured teeth.
- Advanced gum disease.
These conditions create inflammation inside the tooth or surrounding tissues. As pressure builds within the tooth, pain can become more intense, especially when lying down.
A toothache that keeps you awake is often a sign that professional treatment is needed.
Teeth Grinding Can Make It Worse
Many people grind or clench their teeth while sleeping without realizing it.
This habit, known as bruxism, places significant pressure on the teeth, jaw muscles, and surrounding tissues. If you already have a sensitive or damaged tooth, nighttime grinding can increase discomfort and make you wake up with even more pain.
Your dentist can determine whether a custom nightguard may help protect your teeth.
Don’t Ignore a Nighttime Toothache
While over-the-counter pain relievers and a cold compress may provide temporary relief, they won’t address the underlying cause of the problem.
A toothache that lasts more than a day or two, becomes increasingly painful, or is accompanied by swelling, fever, or a bad taste in your mouth should be evaluated promptly. These symptoms may indicate an infection that requires professional treatment.
A toothache that worsens at night is your body’s way of telling you something isn’t right. Whether the cause is tooth decay, an infection, a cracked tooth, or teeth grinding, early treatment can relieve your pain and prevent the problem from becoming more serious.
About the Practice
Have you been struck by an unfortunate dental emergency? Drs. Cumberbatch and Lu provide same-day emergency appointments so we can get you as soon as possible to tend to your problem. We have innovative dental technologies right at our fingertips for precise, expert treatment, and also offer in-house membership plans for uninsured patients. If you’re in pain, don’t wait – book now online or call our Riverdale Park office at (301) 927-8478.