Why Tooth Pain At Night
Why do some toothaches feel stronger at night? – Toothaches might not feel as bad during the day but can worsen during nighttime. A potential reason for this is that blood rushes to your head when you lie down. This extra blood leads to increased pressure and pain from toothache.
Why does my tooth hurt at night only?
4 Reasons Why Your Toothache Hurts More at Night If you’ve ever had a nagging toothache, you probably remember how much you dreaded the evenings. Toothaches are bothersome any time of the day, but they’re prominently worse during the night. There are several reasons that this is true, and we’re listing some of them in this article.
- Read on to understand why your toothache is keeping you up at night, and get tips on how to relieve the pain so you can get a good night’s rest.
- Reason #1: More Blood Flow The main reason why toothaches are more painful at night is our sleeping position.
- Laying down causes more blood rush to our heads, putting extra pressure on sensitive areas, such as our mouths.
We don’t feel that throbbing sensation as much during the day because we’re mostly standing or sitting. Reason #2: Our Brain Has Fewer Distractions At night, we are more aware of the sensations in our bodies because there are fewer distractions. We may think that our toothache is worse, but in truth, it is not—we just feel it more as we clear our minds to fall asleep.
- Reason #3: Late-Night Meals If you’ve eaten sweets for dinner or had a sugary midnight snack, some of that food get stuck in between our teeth or gums.
- Because plaque thrives on sugar, forgetting to brush your teeth after a late-night meal can aggravate a toothache.
- Reason #4: Unconscious Grinding Some people unknowingly grind their teeth at night.
They may wake up from their sleep, writhing in so much pain because teeth grinding puts much stress on the jaws, teeth, and gums. This can be a severe condition and needs proper care and treatment. How to Lessen Toothaches at Night If your toothache feels unbearable in the middle of the night, it means it’s too late to go to the dentist.
Fortunately, there are some ways to give you temporary relief so you can manage the pain and go back to sleep: Avoid eating cold, acidic, or sugary food before going to bed. These can aggravate any cavities that have formed in your teeth. After brushing, rinse with a mouthwash that contains alcohol or salt.
These have antibacterial components that help reduce inflammation caused by plaque and cavities. For mild to moderate toothaches, try taking over-the-counter pain medications, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Just remember to stay within the recommended dosage indicated in the instructions.
- You can also try using medicated ointments available at your local drugstore.
- These come in gels or creams that contain numbing ingredients to give you temporary relief.
- You can also try applying a pack of ice on the affected side of your face or jaw.
- Cold compress constricts the blood vessels in the area, numbing the pain for a while.
Lastly, sleep with your head elevated. Propping your head with pillows will lessen the blood flow going to your head. This may give you enough relief until you can finally fall asleep. Bear in mind that these pain relief tips are only temporary—they won’t work in the long run, and they will not cure whatever it is that’s making your tooth hurt.
How do you stop nerve pain in your teeth?
What to Do for Tooth Nerve Pain – If you’re experiencing severe pain or have damaged a tooth, reach out to your dentist right away. Some home remedies can provide relief, but they won’t treat the root cause of the pain, which could be related to an injury or wear on your teeth.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever – Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and other pain relievers can ease the pain Use a cold compress – An ice pack or cold damp cloth can numb the area and can be especially helpful if you are experiencing swelling Swish salt water or peroxide – These rinses can relieve inflammation Use an over-the-counter anesthetic – Stop by the pharmacy for a gel that you can apply straight to the teeth, or use clove oil for an all-natural remedy
While some damage to the nerves of the teeth can be the result of an accident or injury, taking care of your teeth and gums through brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly can reduce your risk of toothaches relating to decay. In addition, wearing a mouthguard at night or while playing sports can help you avoid damage.
How long does tooth pain last at night?
Your Toothache May Be A Warning – When you experience sensitivity or dull aching in your mouth, it should be considered a warning sign. This sensitivity can be the result of sinus or allergy issues or even sudden changes in elevation; however, these scenarios should result in and only lasting for a few hours.
- If you are experiencing pain due to a cavity or an infection, then your discomfort will persistently last for more than 48 hours and will continue to worsen with time.
- Poor oral hygiene, a diet high in sugary foods, and infrequent brushing and flossing can allow for plaque to coat the teeth, erode tooth enamel, and enable cavities to form.
Cavities can then spread through the tooth and eventually reach the inner pulp where a tooth’s nerve center is located. Once tooth decay has developed to this stage, the infection begins and you will require a root canal for treatment,
Does salt water help toothache?
1. Warm Saltwater Rinse – You probably know that gargling with warm salt water can help with a sore throat. But warm salt water can help your toothache too. Salt water can help gently rinse away food particles that are stuck between your teeth. And rinsing with salt water also serves as a disinfectant and helps reduce inflammation.
Can stress cause toothache?
Can stress cause toothache? – Yes, a toothache caused by stress is possible. Stress and nerves can cause tension effects on the jaw, with stress often causing a person to grind their teeth. When you are clenching the jaw due to stress you can easily cause aches and pains, which is typically a result of wearing down the enamel.
How do you make a toothache go away naturally?
Medically Reviewed by Robert Brennan on April 04, 2023 Your head pounds, your gums throb, and your mouth is sore and tender. You’ve got a toothache, See your dentist ASAP. In the meantime, use these home remedies to get short-term relief. Saltwater rinse Until you can get to the dentist, one of the best things you can do is swish warm, salty water around in your mouth,
- A good mix is half a teaspoon of table salt to 8 ounces of water.
- Spit it out, don’t swallow it.
- You can also gently floss around the sore tooth to remove any bits of food that may be stuck.
- Hydrogen peroxide rinse As an alternative to saltwater, rinse with a solution of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water.
Rinse thoroughly and spit it out. Don’t swallow hydrogen peroxide. OTC pain relievers Dentists suggest acetaminophen for children. For adults, take your pick of over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen and naproxen. If you choose aspirin, swallow it – don’t put it right on the tooth or your gums.
That folk remedy doesn’t work and might harm the inside of your mouth, Cold compress If your face is swollen, put an ice pack on your cheek for the first 24-36 hours. It may help ease the pain, especially if you’ve chipped your tooth or knocked it loose. Swelling could also mean you have an abscess, a sac of pus and gunk deep in the roots of your tooth,
This can cause serious infection in your jaw and other teeth. Signs include fever and red gums. OTC anesthetics Apply these pain-relieving gels and liquids directly to the sore tooth and nearby gums. They contain benzocaine, which will numb your mouth for a little while.
But they’re meant for short-term use only. Ice Put some ice in your hand, on the same side of the body as your sore tooth. Rub the ice in the space between your thumb and forefinger for 7 minutes, or until the area turns numb. Why does it work? Researchers believe ice stops pain signals to your brain,
Clove oil This natural remedy numbs the pain. Rub it directly on the sore area, or soak a cotton ball and dab it against the tooth and gums. It may be as effective as benzocaine, the numbing ingredient in over-the-counter toothache gels. In addition to those standard options, there are some alternative remedies you could try.
- Most of them aren’t proven to work.
- And any home remedy might make it feel better for a while, but they won’t make your toothache go away.
- Garlic When you crush one of these cloves, you release allicin, an oily liquid and natural disease fighter.
- Will it ease the ache? That’s not clear.
- But you can try chewing a piece of garlic or placing chopped bits on your tooth.
It’s safe to try. Toothache plant With a name like that, this might seem a sure bet to ease your symptoms. Different types of this plant grow all over the world, and the oil is an ingredient in many products. But it’s not clear if this plant really eases dental pain.
Vanilla extract Vanilla extract has alcohol in it. The alcohol will numb the pain for a while, and antioxidants in the vanilla may help it heal. Use your finger or a cotton ball to put a small amount on your aching tooth and gum. Peppermint tea A cooled peppermint tea bag may soothe your aching tooth and gums.
Traditional healing In some parts of the world, traditional healers and herbalists use different parts of many other plants to help a toothache. It’s not clear how well they work. These include:
Painted nettlesBlue verbenaCoconut shellGuava leavesCola nutsEucalyptus leavesMango barkPawpaw leavesSweet potatoSunflower leavesTobacco leaves
See a dentist if:
You have any pain. Even short-lived pain can mean a dental problem that needs attention.You have jaw pain along with a popping or clicking noise; this could signal temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
If you seek dental care:
The dentist will look at your teeth and may take an X-ray to diagnose the origin of the pain and make treatment recommendations.If there are signs of infection, the dentist may prescribe an antibiotic.Treatment for TMJ may include a mouth guard to prevent tooth grinding, stress-reduction techniques, or surgery.
Does caffeine help tooth pain?
3. Tooth Sensitivity – Tooth sensitivity develops when the enamel on teeth wears away to expose the inner layer of the tooth, called dentin. Dentin that becomes stimulated by foods, drink, air, and extreme temperatures can affect the nerves inside the teeth, causing tooth pain. Sodas, wine, coffee, ice cream, and acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits can worsen tooth sensitivity.
What foods to avoid when you have an infected tooth?
Avoid foods or drinks that can irritate the infected tooth. These include hot, cold, spicy, chewy, sticky, hard, sugary, or acidic things. Also, do not touch the tooth with your tongue or finger, as this may trigger the pain.
Can you have a toothache that comes and goes?
Toothache refers to pain in and around the teeth and jaws that’s usually caused by tooth decay. You may feel toothache in many ways. It can come and go or be constant. Eating or drinking can make the pain worse, particularly if the food or drink is hot or cold.
The pain can also be mild or severe. It may feel “sharp” and start suddenly. It can be worse at night, particularly when you’re lying down. A lost filling or broken tooth can sometimes start the pain. It can also sometimes be difficult to decide whether the pain is in your upper or lower teeth. When a lower molar tooth is affected, the pain can often feel like it’s coming from the ear.
Toothache in other upper teeth may feel like it’s coming from the sinuses, the small, air-filled cavities behind your cheekbones and forehead. The area of your jaw close to the infected tooth may also be sore and tender to touch. It’s also possible for periodontal disease to give rise to a “dull” pain.