Why Does Your Toothache Seem to Hurt Worse at Night?

A toothache is a troublesome enough dental emergency during the day. However, many patients find that the pain gets even worse at night, making it difficult to fall asleep. If this is happening to you, you’ll naturally want to know what the cause is, as well as what solutions are available. Below is a closer look at why toothaches might get worse at night and how you can manage the discomfort.

Reasons Why Tooth Pain Can Get Worse at Night

There are a number of possible explanations for a toothache getting worse at night when you’re trying to fall asleep:

• Lying Down: Lying down to go to bed allows blood to rush up toward your face and mouth. The increased blood flow can put more pressure on the tooth in question, leading to more pain.
• Lack of Distractions: During the day, you’re likely very active, which makes it easy to distract yourself from the pain in your tooth. But when you’re trying to fall asleep at night, there are fewer distractions, potentially causing your toothache to seem more intense.  
• Late Night Sugary Snacks: Sugary foods and beverages can irritate any cavities that might be linked to your toothache. Thus, indulging in sugary snacks right before bed can easily contribute to nighttime tooth pain.

What Can You Do to Reduce Tooth Pain at Night?

There are a number of ways that you can keep a toothache under control at night so that it doesn’t interfere with your sleep. Below are a few steps that can help you:

• Take ibuprofen or another type of over-the-counter pain medication right before bed.
• Keep your head elevated by sleeping in a recliner or with extra pillows.
• Apply a cold compress to the side of your mouth where the discomfort is present for about 15 minutes.
• Avoid consuming anything that’s high in sugar in the hours before your normal bedtime.
• Try rinsing with salt water to help reduce tooth pain as well as any inflammation that might be occurring in your gums.

The steps listed above can go a long way toward reducing the pain in your tooth, but they are no substitute for professional treatment. Don’t forget to schedule an appointment with your dentist so that they can identify the underlying cause of your toothache and help you figure out the best way to treat it so that you can enjoy a healthy, pain-free smile once again.

About the Author

Dr. Eric Marsh is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He has been practicing in Allentown since 1989, and he is proud to offer his patients a comprehensive menu of dental services, which includes same-day emergency appointments for severe toothaches. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Marsh at Eric J. Marsh, DMD & Michele Pisano-Marsh, DMD Dentistry, visit his website or call (610) 432-8037.