Although brushing and flossing twice daily can prevent many common oral concerns, such as cavities or gum disease, there’s no guarantee that you’ll never have a dental emergency. For instance, you might develop a sudden or severe toothache in the evening when your dentist’s office is closed.
That means you might have to manage the discomfort until morning, when you can contact them for a same-day appointment. However, if the pain worsens when you lie down, you could miss out on some much-needed rest. Continue reading to learn why this sometimes happens and what you can do about it!
What Caused My Toothache?
It’s natural to wonder why your tooth is hurting and how urgently you should be seen. But there are many potential causes, and some require more immediate attention than others. For example, sometimes sensitivity can be caused by aggressive brushing or an overly acidic diet that has thinned your enamel.
With that said, an infection is one of the most common reasons patients complain of a toothache. If bacteria in your mouth penetrate your tooth, it can cause irritation and inflammation that won’t subside until it’s treated, such as with a root canal and a dental crown to restore your smile.
Why Does My Tooth Hurt Worse at Night?
Does your discomfort seem to worsen in the evening hours or when you crawl into bed to try to get some sleep? This can happen for a few different reasons. For instance, you might feel extra tender before bed if you’ve just had dinner or enjoyed an evening snack, which can irritate your already-tender enamel or connective tissues. Some believe that there’s a lack of distractions, such as work, school, or other activities, to keep your mind off the pain once the sun goes down.
Not only that, but the ache can intensify when you lie down because gravity allows more blood to pool in your head. This places additional pressure against the root of your tooth, which can exacerbate the negative sensations.
How Should I Handle a Nighttime Toothache?
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help reduce your symptoms long enough to drift off, including:
- Apply a cold compress. Placing an ice pack against the sore side of your face for 15 minutes at a time can induce a temporary numbing sensation that alleviates aches and inflammation.
- Prop your head up. Sleeping in your favorite recliner or propping your head at an angle can prevent blood from pooling behind your troubled tooth.
- Take over-the-counter medications. It’s often safe to take the recommended dosage of acetaminophen or ibuprofen to address negative sensations.
- Rinse with salt water. If you’re hurting too much to brush and floss normally, you can rinse your mouth with salt water to help keep it clean while reducing swelling and soreness.
Then, when you wake up in the morning, you can contact your provider to schedule a same-day emergency visit!
About the Practice
Patients at Legacy Trails Dental of Plano benefit from a team of providers eager to help families in Plano build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. They share decades of combined experience, and today, they collaborate to offer a comprehensive menu of services, including same-day emergency care, to people of all ages. Their compassionate approach is combined with advanced technology to quickly assess your condition and devise a treatment plan tailored to meet your unique needs. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (469) 208-6017.