It can be hard to get a good night’s sleep when you’re dealing with the intense pain of a toothache. It might be tempting to just crawl into bed, throw on some ear plugs, and hope for the best, but that won’t fix your problem! Thankfully, there are several things you can do to make sure that your toothache doesn’t keep you up at night.
Do you have toothache while sleeping? – This question is often asked by kids. However, it’s also a problem for adults. Toothache at night is the most common when teeth are infected with cavity or pulpitis (inflammation of dental pulp). It can be caused by bad eating habit such as too much snacking and drinking cold drinks every time snack occur.
However, when toothache actually occurs at night, it’s quite possible that wisdom teeth pushing through the gums will cause pain in one of your upper molars. Wisdom tooth comes through the gum lining between 18 and 25 years old. Normally they appear in both lower and upper jaw during this period but only sometimes do they come up with sharp pain to users.
Now, if you are asking yourself “how to deal with a toothache at night”, there are some advices for you.
Toothache At Night: Everything You Need To Know About Nighttime Tooth Pain
The causes of toothache at nightfall into several categories:
1. Tooth decay
Cavities arising from tooth decay are one of the most common causes of nighttime tooth pain. This problem usually affects people who don’t take good care of their teeth. So if you’ve not been brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, then this could be the cause of your toothache at night.
2. Periodontal Disease
This is an ongoing bacterial infection that affects the gums and one that can cause nighttime pain. It’s characterized by swelling, bleeding and reddening of gums that may also become tender. Pus may be present as also may be discharged from the gingival tissue.
3. Damage
Damage to the tooth can cause nighttime tooth pain. For example, if your tooth is cracked or broken or chipped due to trauma can lead to pain from toothache.
4. Nighttime pain after dental treatment
Similarly, a damaged or broken tooth filling, crown, implant or other dental restoration procedure that has gone wrong or has not been done properly can contribute to toothache at night.
5. Sinusitis, ear infection and similar conditions
Sinus or ear infection or any other condition that causes inflammation in and round the mouth and jaw can contribute to toothache at night. These infections usually put pressure on certain teeth and can cause pain at night.
6. Clenching of teeth or jaws
Tooth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a condition characterized by involuntary clenching of jaws at night. It is caused by a variety of factors, such as stress, sleep disorders, depression, anxiety and unhealthy habits like smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol. When you find yourself unable to control tooth grinding or clenching at night, you’re susceptible to pain from toothache at night.
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7. Pulp Irritation
Pulpitis, or inflammation of the dental pulp, is the main cause of severe pain that worsens at night. This condition is mainly caused by tooth decay, though trauma to the teeth and subsequent infection may result in pulpitis.
The severe dental pain resulting from pulpitis is also known as tooth nerve pain. It occurs as a sharp, throbbing pain at irregular periods at night. The pain may be present during the day, but becomes worse at night.
Pulpitis occurs when tooth decay spreads past the outer layers of the tooth, allowing bacteria to attack and inflame the pulp – which consists of nerves and blood vessels. When the pulp becomes infected or inflamed, it swells and presses against the hard outer enamel of the teeth due to an immune response. This leads to pressure buildup within the root canal inside the tooth. The increased pressure within the tooth compresses the nerves and blood vessels; and this is what causes constant, severe throbbing pain. The pain becomes worse when you lie down at night because that’s when pressure buildup goes up inside the tooth.
If you have severe tooth pain that goes up when you lie down at night, chances are you have pulpitis. This condition can be classified as either reversible or irreversible; and the treatment can vary depending on these categorizations.
Treatment of Nighttime Tooth Pain
A toothache that lasts more than one or two days must be evaluated by a dentist. Your dentist should be able to diagnose and treat your nighttime tooth pain, which can range from mild to severe.
Treatment for this type of toothache typically involves getting rid of the cause. This can be simple as using dental products that can kill bacteria and help re-mineralize the outer tooth enamel. Other times, a complex procedure like root canal therapy, drilling or tooth extraction may be required in order to eliminate the pain.
If your tooth pain is due to conditions like tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth damage, flawed dental treatment, bruxism, sinusitis or other infection, then these conditions must first be addressed in order to get rid of the toothache.
Getting Rid Of Nighttime Tooth Pain Caused By Pulpitis
Pulpitis is probably the reason you have an unbearable toothache at night. As you might have noticed, your pain gets worse when you lie in bed trying to catch some sleep. Tucking yourself into a warm duvet only exacerbates the pain. (Anything warm or hot makes it hurt even more).
So how do you get rid of your nighttime pain from inflamed tooth nerve?
You must see a dentist. There’s no other option.
Failure to seek immediate treatment will likely make your condition progressively worse.
If your pulpitis is reversible, the pain can be addressed by simply getting rid of the irritant that’s causing inflammation. But if you have irreversible pulpitis (where a large part of – or the entire inner pulp – is already inflamed), your treatment choices will be limited to two options:
- either have tooth extraction,
- or else undergo root canal therapy to save the tooth.
Home Remedies for Nighttime Tooth Pain
In the meantime, if the severe, sharp pain hits in the middle of the night or you cannot get to a dentist quickly, these are some tricks that may help.
Firstly, sleeping with your head in an elevated position may help reduce the pain of toothache at night. You could also combine this pain relief technique with any of these remedies:
- Rinse gently with cold water
- If your pain is as a result of dental carries, try putting clove- oil-soaked cotton wool onto the cavity
- If you have swollen gums, try rinsing the affected area with hot salty water
- Over the counter pain medications may help, but not for a very bad toothache
- Use ice compres. Gently compress the affected tooth and jawline from outside the mouth (on the cheek).
- Floss to remove any trapped food on dental cavity
- Try desensitizing toothpaste
- Apply a solution of powdered myrrh
- Gargle hydrogen peroxide solution
- Use pepper or peppermint tea
It’s worth noting that many of these at-home treatments will provide only short-term relief and you may be forced to keep repeating the regimen after almost every hour. But it never hurts to try. Just remember to be careful when trying to use dental pain medications if you’re pregnant.
I can’t get to the dentist tonight, what should I do?
If it is the middle of the night, or too late to reach a dentist then there are some things you can do to temporarily ease the pain of your toothache.
Depending on what sort of toothache you are suffering from here are some helpful tips to try:
- Sleep with head in an elevated position – using pillows to prop your head up keep your head elevated so the blood isn’t causing extra pressure on the sensitive areas.
- Brush, floss and rinse your mouth gently with cold water – this can help remove some of the trapped food that might be causing pain
- Use clove oil soaked in a cotton ball and place over your painful tooth. This works well for tooth pain caused from cavities.
- Rinse your mouth with hot salty water – this is useful for sore or infected gums as the salty hot water will kill off the bacteria and ease the pain.
- Over the counter pain medication can work great to dull the pain until you can see a dentist. Ibuprofen is best but can alternate with paracetamol making sure you don’t overdo the dosage.
- For a swollen face and sore gums, use an ice compress on the outside of your face to dull the ache.
- If you suffer from teeth sensitivity – avoid cold or hot foods and use some desensitising toothpaste and mouthwash before bed
It’s worth noting that these are only some short term tips to temporarily avoid pain at night until you can get an appointment.None of these things will work in the long run, and they definitely won’t cure it. The longer you wait the worse it is likely to get.
When should I go to the dentist?
If a toothache lasts longer than 1 or 2 days then we recommend you seek a dentist as it is likely to only get worse.
A toothache is not a problem you can just ignore or self medicate yourself.
If you have any other helpful tips feel free to leave a comment below. And don’t forget to share this post so you can help other toothache sufferers too!
Common causes of toothache at night
If you’ve ever had a toothache in the middle of the night, you know that it can be one of the most painful experiences. Toothaches are not only uncomfortable but can also cause a wide range of issues, including headaches, jaw pain, and even difficulty sleeping. There are many reasons why you might experience a toothache at night, but some of the most common causes include tooth decay, gum disease, infected roots, and teeth grinding.
Perhaps the most common reason for toothaches at night is tooth decay. When bacteria breaks down sugar in your mouth, it produces acid that erodes your enamel, which is the hard outer layer of your teeth. When the decay reaches the softer inner parts of your teeth, including the pulp and nerves, it can cause severe pain, especially at night when you’re laying down.
Another common cause of toothaches at night is gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. This occurs when bacteria infects and inflames your gums, causing them to pull away from your teeth. As the gum tissue recedes, it can leave the sensitive roots of your teeth exposed, which can lead to toothaches and sensitivity.
Infected roots can also cause toothaches at night. These types of infections can occur due to decay, injury, or even from dental work. The pain from an infected root can be severe, especially at night when you’re trying to sleep.
Lastly, teeth grinding, or bruxism, can cause toothaches at night. When you clench or grind your teeth, you put excess pressure on your teeth and gums, which can cause pain and sensitivity. It’s important to speak with your dentist if you believe you may have bruxism so that they can help you manage your symptoms and protect your teeth from further damage.
In conclusion, toothaches can be extremely uncomfortable, especially at night. Common causes include tooth decay, gum disease, infected roots, and teeth grinding. If you’re experiencing toothaches, it’s important to speak with your dentist so that they can identify the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment options.
Common causes of toothache at night
If you’ve ever had a toothache in the middle of the night, you know that it can be one of the most painful experiences. Toothaches are not only uncomfortable but can also cause a wide range of issues, including headaches, jaw pain, and even difficulty sleeping. There are many reasons why you might experience a toothache at night, but some of the most common causes include tooth decay, gum disease, infected roots, and teeth grinding.
Perhaps the most common reason for toothaches at night is tooth decay. When bacteria breaks down sugar in your mouth, it produces acid that erodes your enamel, which is the hard outer layer of your teeth. When the decay reaches the softer inner parts of your teeth, including the pulp and nerves, it can cause severe pain, especially at night when you’re laying down.
Another common cause of toothaches at night is gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. This occurs when bacteria infects and inflames your gums, causing them to pull away from your teeth. As the gum tissue recedes, it can leave the sensitive roots of your teeth exposed, which can lead to toothaches and sensitivity.
Infected roots can also cause toothaches at night. These types of infections can occur due to decay, injury, or even from dental work. The pain from an infected root can be severe, especially at night when you’re trying to sleep.
Lastly, teeth grinding, or bruxism, can cause toothaches at night. When you clench or grind your teeth, you put excess pressure on your teeth and gums, which can cause pain and sensitivity. It’s important to speak with your dentist if you believe you may have bruxism so that they can help you manage your symptoms and protect your teeth from further damage.
In conclusion, toothaches can be extremely uncomfortable, especially at night. Common causes include tooth decay, gum disease, infected roots, and teeth grinding. If you’re experiencing toothaches, it’s important to speak with your dentist so that they can identify the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment options.
How do you stop a toothache pain at night?
An aching tooth or gum is one of the most painful things that you can experience, and it can prevent you from doing important things like sleeping and eating. It can be a sharp pain on the gum, a sensitive pain around the problematic tooth or dull throbbing pain in the gum and teeth.
Tooth decay, tooth grinding, sinusitis and abscessed teeth are the leading causes of a toothache. But regardless of what causes the pain, it seems to get worse at night, which makes it impossible to get any sleep.
Other things like your sleep position and increased awareness also make the pain worse at night. However, there are some fast-acting and natural remedies that you can use to ensure that the throbbing tooth does not interfere with your snooze. Here is how to sleep with a toothache.
A numbing paste is not a permanent solution to a toothache, but it can help you get some sleep. And the chances are that you already have everything that you need to make the paste at home which means that it can be a useful remedy for those toothaches that flare-up late into the night.
To make a simple numbing paste, you will need a teaspoon of vanilla extract, one teaspoon of an oral numbing solution which you can buy over the counter, a ground aspirin tablet, and a teaspoon of baking soda. You should mix everything to create a paste and then apply it to the pain source.
What you take for dinner is vital because it can ease the problem or make it worse. Hot and acidic foods can trigger pain in swollen gums and make it hard for you to sleep. To make sure that the tooth does not prevent you from getting some rest, you should use food to deal with your toothache. Eating cold foods such as fruits and frozen yogurt can help to dull the swelling and numb some of the pain. Some people will even find relief from chewing ice chips.
Ice is a cheap and very effective way of dealing with throbbing tooth pain, but chewing ice chips might not be enough because they tend to melt quickly. Putting some ice over your pillow is an excellent way of ensuring that you get some relief throughout the night.
For this remedy, you should wrap the ice pack in a towel and place it on the pillow. The cold from the ice will numb the pain and allow you to fall asleep. A good size ice pack will take a couple of hours to melt, which is enough time for you to fall asleep.
If you get teeth pain at night, you should start chewing on raw garlic or onion at least once every day. Also, if you find it hard to get any sleep because of an aching tooth, you should nibble on a couple of cloves of garlic to benefit from its antibiotic properties.
Pain anywhere in your body will always make it hard for you to sleep, but an aching tooth is worse than others because it is hard to ignore. The remedies above will offer you some relief so that you can get some rest before you visit your dentist for a permanent solution. There are still many other ways of sleeping with throbbing tooth pain, and they include rinsing with hard alcohol and rubbing clove oil on the tooth.