You must have heard some people say, “my tooth hurts at night but not during the day,” but there are millions more. Toothaches can be disturbing during the day and can especially hurt more at night. There are many reasons why tooth hurts more at night, but the pain may be lesser during the day, and this article lists a few of them. Keep reading to learn why your tooth is not letting you sleep and a few pain-relieving techniques to have a good night’s sleep.
Reasons Why Tooth Hurts More At Night But Not During The Day
Increased Blood Flow
The most common reason why you might feel more pain at night is the body position. When you lay down, the blood rushes to the side of the head that puts extra pressure on the mouth, and causes pain. During the day, we are standing or sitting for most of the time, so we don’t feel any pain or discomfort.
Our Brain is Working Less
During the day, we are busy and may ignore most of our body aches. But during night, lesser distractions make us aware of the pain and may make us think that our toothache is very bad. However, the truth is that we just feel it more at night.
Night Time Cravings
If you have enjoyed sweets at dinner, food can be stuck between your teeth. Moreover, sugar is the powerhouse for plaque, and if you forget to brush your teeth after eating the last meal, your toothache may worsen.
Teeth Grinding
Some people have no idea, but they unconsciously grind their teeth during sleep. Those having this issue may wake up with pain because grinding exerts pressure on the teeth, gums, and jaws. This is something serious, and you should see an expert regarding this.
Minimizing Night Toothaches
Avoid acidic and sugary foods.
It’s recommended to avoid eating anything acidic or sugary before sleeping. Or else you may feed your cavities that are already present in your mouth. After you are done brushing your teeth, use mouthwash with alcohol to rinse your mouth. These mouth rinses can kill the bacteria and also help minimize inflammation due to cavities and plaque.
Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers
You can use over-the-counter pain relievers for minor toothaches. Take only recommended dosage. Medicated ointments can also work for tooth pain.
Ice Pack
You can also use an ice pack to find relief from tooth pain. Cold compress limits the blood vessels and numbs the ache temporarily.
Keep Your Head Up
Keep your head high when sleeping. This will minimize the blood flow and help you fall asleep.
Note that these care tips only provide temporary relief and won’t be effective for long. They will only help you sleep during the night, so you should seek medical help for a permanent solution.
If you are searching for a dentist to help you find relief from a toothache, schedule an appointment with the experts at Vintage Smile Family Dentistry. Reach us at (281) 251-7770.