Why Does My Toothache Get Worse at Night
Nobody wants to deal with toothache, but even more so at night when the pain is known for getting worse.If you have come across this article, chances are this very issue is one you’ve experienced and it may be a relief to know you are not alone. The reality is that toothache does get stronger at night for some.
If you have tried everything from using Bonjela to hot drinks in the hopes of alleviating nighttime toothaches, this blog will help you. We will share why toothache worsens during the evening and highlight the importance of seeking professional treatment once issues arise. Keep reading to
What’s the Reason That Toothache Tends to Hurt More at Night?
For some, toothache seeming worse at night can feel like a symptom only they are dealing with. However, we can confirm that nighttime toothaches are likely to be worse than the symptoms experienced during the day. This is for a number of reasons meaning patients can experience one or more of the following problems simultaneously.
The first reason, which is likely the most obvious and common, is that there are fewer distractions at nighttime, meaning the brain can focus on problems more acutely. Lots of research has been conducted as to how the brain and pain are connected, with many studies highlighting that sleep hormones can highlight discomfort levels. Also, when people are lying down, ready to go to rest, there are fewer physical distractions, so the brain does not have to focus on additional thoughts. In the daytime, toothache may have been dulled thanks to everyday tasks needing to be dealt with, but at night, it can take centre stage. This means that the reality is that toothache is not physically worse at night, but instead, the mind is able to focus on it more. Similarly, stress levels are known to increase at night for those who experience anxiety. This can cause toothache, as stress is linked to dental problems.
Toothache also feels worse at night as sleeping positions cause more blood to flow to people’s heads. More blood around the gums means pain is higher as sensitivity is increased. An example of this is toothache, which can cause ear problems as blood levels are higher. In the daytime, although blood, of course, still flows through the mouth, it also has to move around bodies more quickly. At night, pain points are easier to notice when heart rate levels drop.
Poor nighttime dental habits also cause toothache during the evening hours. Examples such as teeth grinding or not following a professionally recommended hygiene routine stresses teeth. For aches already in place, this makes pain worse. This can also lead to new toothaches, which are only apparent during the nighttime hours as they are associated with these undesirable habits.
Lastly, if you are recovering from any dental problems, your body will send more energy to them at night. This is because the body can best heal when less energy is exercised at nighttime. For example, as a hole can take a little while to close completely after an extraction, it’s common for patients to experience more pain at night while healing is occurring.
Why Is It a Bad Idea to Ignore Toothaches?
If you’ve suffered from nighttime toothache, it can be tempting to take an out of sight out of mind approach during the day and just hope that toothache goes away on its own. However, we can confirm this is not the right mindset to adopt as you will likely end up with pain that becomes worse not just at night but also throughout the day.
Can Lead to Worse Dental Issues
Even the smallest of tooth niggles can lead to a big issue which is harder and more costly to treat. If you experience recurring toothache that is worse at night, it highlights that there is a problem that needs to be treated professionally. If left untreated, a simple toothache could lead to anything from an infection to a tough-to-treat abscess.
Interrupted Sleep Impacts Everyday Life
Not treating the cause of tooth pain will mean you continue to experience interrupted sleep. This isn’t just annoying, but will negatively impact many aspects, including concentration levels, emotions, physical performance and hormone regulations. The longer a dental problem is left untreated, the more severe these impacts will become which can lead to long term effects on everyday life.
Likely to Experience Other Serious Health Conditions
It’s not just dental problems that can get worse and be experienced when toothache is left untreated. In fact, issues such as infections can cause conditions such as Sepsis. Oral hygiene is a contributor to health throughout the whole body so keeping yourself healthy is essential. This means being mindful of toothaches and receiving treatment in a timely manner.
How Can Nighttime Toothache Be Treated?
Now that we have shared the reasons why toothache is worse at night, below we have included a list of proven ways to get rid of this annoying and unwanted problem once and for all using some treatment at home. However, as you will read in the next section, support from a dentist should also be planned.
- Using a cold compress is ideal for alleviating the effects of swelling, which can get worse at night when more blood is delivered to the affected area. Using them a few times during the day and just before sleeping is ideal for ensuring you can get to sleep without pain getting in the way.
- A salty mouth rinse is also ideal as it offers a way to treat an affected area with an antibacterial method. This is also perfect for reducing swelling and removing any stuck debris.
- Taking prescribed or readily available pain medication around 30 minutes before going to sleep also helps.
- Choosing natural methods of incurring deeper sleep is also ideal as it means toothache has less chance of waking the mind up. Examples include drinking sleepy teas, eliminating technology before bed, spraying pillow scents and maintaining structure routines, all of which make a difference.
- Choosing an elevated pillow position is also ideal when toothache is at its worst, as it stops blood from getting concentrated in the head. You should also ensure any pillow being used allows the right amount of cushioning for the affected area of the mouth, and if possible, a back–sleeping position is adopted.
Overall, looking after the affected area correctly during the day will prepare you for a solid night’s rest.
Should You Go to the Dentist for a Nighttime Toothache?
Yes, if a toothache arrives unexpectedly and/or is prolonged, a visit to the dentist should be planned. Without treating the cause for toothache at the root of the problem, not only will discomfort remain for a period of time but other health issues are likely to arise.
A toothache doesn’t require a trip to A&E unless a wider health problem has been created. Instead, the recommended course of action is to book a routine or emergency visit with a dental professional. A toothache can be classed as an emergency when booking a dental visit, so be sure to find a practice that offers speedy appointments, such as Didsbury Dental Practice.
How Can Didsbury Dental Practices Alleviate Toothache Being Experienced at Night?
Is toothache getting you down by interrupting your sleep? As an emergency dental practice based in Manchester, we know firsthand how this problem affects patients. Our extensive selection of treatments mean any toothache concern is possible for us to support. You can learn more about how we manage toothache issues and emergency visits by checking out our FAQs.
As well as offering treatments for toothaches and other dental problems which are turning every evening into a nightmare, we also offer other services covering everything from extractions to dentures. To learn more or to book a visit, contact our team now.
