Many of our patients often comment that their toothaches are worse at night. Well, it may not just be their imagination playing tricks on them. It’s true that at night we have fewer distractions so we tend to become more sensitized and aware of pain. However, there may also be physiological reasons why toothaches are worse at night.
Fewer Distractions
As we already mentioned, at night, especially when we go to bed and turn off the lights, there are fewer distractions and we tend to focus on even the most minor discomfort or pain. Therefore, it is natural that you will feel more intense toothache at night.
Blood Flow
Obviously, at night when we go to bed, we lie down. When we are lying down, there is increased blood flow to our heads. This increase intensifies any pain we might have in our mouth due to the extra blood pressure on sensitive areas so a toothache becomes much more noticeable at night.
Late-Night Snacks or Meals
Many people like to have a late-night snack or even a late meal. If you eat sweets or have late meals, it’s important to brush your teeth with care in order to prevent plaque build-up. Forgetting to brush your teeth can make your toothache worse since plaque thrives on sugar and produces cavity-causing acids.
Teeth Grinding
Many people who grind their teeth at night are not actually aware they are doing it. Unfortunately, they wake up in the morning with dental pain. If you have worn tooth enamel and waking up with tooth pain, it is possible that you grind your teeth. Sometimes the pain caused by grinding can result in a sore jaw, headaches, or even make you feel sleepy during the day.
How to Reduce Your Toothaches at Night
Often when your toothache is at its worse, it is late at night and a little difficult to find an emergency dentist that is available. In order to lessen the pain and get temporary relief so you can go back to sleep, you can do several things.
Avoid Late Night Snacks
If you noticed that you have a toothache, don’t eat anything, especially cold, acidic, or sugary foods/drinks, before going to bed since they can aggravate any cavities you may have.
Use Mouthwash
Mouthwash should also be used at night, not just during the day for fresh breath. So, after you brush your teeth at night, use a mouthwash containing alcohol or salt since these ingredients have antibacterial properties and numb your teeth. As a result, your mouthwash can help reduce any inflammation or pain you may have due to plaque or cavities.
Take Over-The-Counter Pain Medication
If your toothache is not extremely painful you can take over-the-counter pain medications, such as paracetamol (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). Take the recommended dosage, do not take more as it can be harmful to your health. You can also use medicated ointments (gels/pastes/creams) that contain numbing ingredients such as benzocaine for temporary relief so you can fall asleep.
Add Cold Compress
You can apply a cold compress, such as an ice pack wrapped in cloth, to the painful side of your face or jaw. This will help dull/numb the pain since cold constricts the blood vessels in the area.
Keep Your Head Elevated
Another thing you can try to help you lessen your toothaches is to sleep with your head elevated. Use a couple of pillows to prop your head higher than your body. This help decrease the blood flow going to your head and provide you with enough relief to fall asleep.
Book an Emergency Dental Appointment
Once you get through the night, the first thing you should do the next morning is book an emergency dental appointment so you won’t have to go through the same pain the following night. At My Dentist at Morgan Creek, our emergency dentists will accommodate you the same day you call. Ignoring a dental problem can increase the risk of permanent damage, as well as the need for more extensive and expensive treatment down the road.
Please give us a call at 604-542-0123 and we can help you alleviate your dental discomforts. We work long hours (our Surrey dental clinic is open until 8:00 PM on Mondays) and offer appointments on the first Saturday of every month. For more information about our dental services, you can also contact us online.
