Have you been dealing with dental pain that seems to worsen at nighttime? It isn’t something you should ignore; especially if it’s causing sleepless nights! Visiting your dentist for relief is going to be in your best interest, but it’s also helpful to know more about what might be triggering your intense pain. Here are four possible reasons why your tooth pain might feel worse during the nighttime, and why you shouldn’t hesitate to contact your dentist about treatment.
1. Late Night Snacking
Snacking is often the culprit behind night-time toothaches, especially if you’re prone to snacking on sugary or acidic foods while you’re staying up late. These items form plaque, which is an invisible film of bacteria that lives on the surface of your teeth and gums. It weakens teeth enamel and heightens the chances of cavities and gum disease, among other issues. If you tend to snack at night, be sure you’re brushing and flossing before hitting the hay – otherwise, you’re more likely to develop painful cavities that could even make sleeping difficult.
2. Bruxism
If you’re waking up with tooth or jaw pain, it might be due to a condition known as bruxism. Patients who suffer from bruxism grind and clench their teeth together, often unknowingly during the night – meaning they have no idea it’s even happening. This can lead to jaw muscle soreness, even radiating to other parts of your face. It can also cause serious damage to the enamel layer of the teeth. Fortunately, a custom-made nightguard from your dentist can often prevent bruxism and the associated dental pain.
3. Increased Blood Circulation
When you lie down flat to go to sleep, did you know that more blood is able to rush to your head? More blood circulation means you might feel more tooth pain compared to if you were standing up. You can counteract this to a certain extent by propping your head up with an extra pillow or two, or by falling asleep in a recliner.
4. Fewer Distractions
There are also simply far fewer things happening at night when you’re trying to sleep, meaning there are fewer distractions to take your mind off of the pain! The human brain can only focus on so many things at a time, so if there’s less going on to distract you from your toothache, you might find yourself hyper-fixating on it more than usual. While it’s tough to fall asleep when there are lights or sounds present, you may need to try using a white-noise machine or night light to take your mind off the pain.
Remember, a toothache is your body’s way of letting you know that something is wrong with one of your teeth – so you shouldn’t ignore it! Your dentist will be able to quickly get to the bottom of the issue, ensuring the tooth’s future wellness. With that in mind, don’t continue to endure night after night with dental pain; get the help you need!
About the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Tariq Shiyab, the team at Quality Dental Care has proudly served the dental needs of patients in St. Johns for over a decade, offering a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry services. If you have any questions about the blog or you need to schedule an appointment to address your toothache, don’t hesitate to reach out online or by phone for assistance. Telephone: (904) 287-0033.