If you’re currently dealing with a toothache, you may have noticed that the pain seems to get worse at night. This can make an already troublesome problem even more irritating, as the discomfort can make it harder to get a good night’s rest. Why exactly does tooth pain often grow worse when it’s time for bed? And what can you do to manage the problem until you’re able to see an emergency dentist?
Tooth Pain at Night
A major reason why tooth pain may seem more prominent at night is simply a lack of distractions. It’s typically easier to forget about the discomfort in your mouth during the daytime when you’re working, talking with friends, and performing other activities. But when it’s time for bed, your toothache is likely to take more of your focus, which can make the pain seem worse.
On top of that, when you lie down to go to bed at night, more blood travels toward your head. This slightly increases blood pressure in your mouth, which can potentially aggravate an already painful tooth.
Managing Nighttime Tooth Pain
If you want to reduce the pain in your tooth at night, here are a few simple measures that might help:
- Keep Your Head Raised: Use a thicker pillow or stack a few pillows on top of each other in order to help your head stay elevated while you’re in bed. This can mitigate the effect that lying down might have on your toothache.
- Use an Over-the-Counter Pain Reliever: You can often temporarily reduce tooth pain with ibuprofen or another type of over-the-counter pain reliever. When taking any sort of medication, pay close attention to the dosage instructions.
- Skip Your Late-Night Snack: Foods that are high in sugar can potentially make tooth pain worse. As such, it may be a good idea to avoid sugary treats for a few hours before your regular bedtime.
- Use a Cold Compress: If the gums around the affected tooth are swollen, applying an ice pack to the area for about 10 to 15 minutes can help you find temporary relief.
By following the above steps, you should be able to keep your tooth pain under control at night so that you can get the rest that your body needs. Of course, if you want lasting relief from your toothache, then you need to see your dentist as soon as possible so that they can diagnose and treat the problem.
About the Author
Dr. Shawn Van de Vyver studied dentistry at the University of Michigan. He has been in private practice since 2008, and his professional memberships include the Michigan Dental Association as well as other organizations. At Smiles in Shelby, he is able to help patients find solutions for toothaches and other dental issues thanks to his wide range of services. If you’re suffering from pain in your tooth, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Van de Vyver at his Shelby Township practice by visiting his website or calling (586) 677-2828.