Although many dentists offer same-day appointments for walk-in emergencies, that might not do you much good if you develop a persistent, sharp, or severe toothache at night when your provider’s office is closed. If you can’t contact them immediately, you might have to find a way to try to sleep through the pain until they reopen in the morning.
Unfortunately, many patients notice that their toothache seems to intensify when they lie down, making comfortable rest nearly impossible. Continue reading to learn 3 potential reasons for this and how you can address them!
Issue #1: Gravity Works Against You
There are many potential reasons for the throbbing sensation you’re experiencing, but infection is an incredibly common culprit. Bacteria in your mouth can penetrate your enamel or connective tissues to trigger inflammation and aches in the tender nerves and pulp inside your teeth.
If you notice that your discomfort worsens when you position yourself horizontally, it could be because the change in your body’s position allows additional blood to pool in your head. The increase in fluid can result in additional pressure on the nerves that are already sore and swollen, exacerbating your condition. This can be alleviated by sleeping at an angle, like in a recliner or propped on a pile of pillows.
Issue #2: Fewer Distractions
There are plenty of things to keep your mind preoccupied during daylight hours, which can provide a welcome distraction from your toothache. The human brain is impressive, but there are limits to how many things it can focus on at any given point in time. That means if you’re busy your usual daily routine, your brain is less likely to focus on a sore tooth.
However, at night, when the world quiets down and the day’s work is done, your mind has nothing better to do than remind you that you’re hurting. This is a perfect time to practice deep breathing, listen to music, or read a book to unwind enough to be able to eventually drift off to sleep.
Issue #3: Teeth Grinding
Although infection is a common cause for toothaches, there are other potential causes. For example, bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, can wear down your enamel or chip or crack your teeth, which can hurt. Furthermore, if you already feeling sore and are prone to subconsciously clenching your arches together, you’ll only make matters worse.
Making a conscientious effort to relax your jaw might help, but otherwise, your dentist can provide a custom-fitted nightguard to safeguard your smile when you contact them first thing in the morning.
You can also temporarily address many aches and pains safely with over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen, so that you can get some much-needed rest!
Meet the Author
Dr. Adriana Zaharie, known fondly as “Dr. Z”, is passionate about positively impacting patients’ lives by helping them build and maintain happy, healthy teeth and gums. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Antioquia before earning an additional Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the Advanced Standing Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. Today, she offers a comprehensive menu of services to meet all your family’s needs under one roof, including same-day emergency visits. You can request an appointment on the website or call (281) 395-2100.