It’s a frustrating experience—your teeth feel fine most of the day, but as soon as you try to sleep, the pain intensifies. Nighttime toothaches are surprisingly common, and several factors can make dental discomfort more noticeable after dark. Understanding the reasons can help you find relief and determine when it’s time to see your dentist.
Increased Blood Flow
When you lie down, blood naturally flows more toward your head. This increased circulation can put extra pressure on inflamed or sensitive areas in your mouth. During the day, when you’re upright, gravity helps keep that pressure lower, which is why the pain may feel worse when you’re in bed.
Fewer Distractions
Daytime activities—work, conversations, errands—keep your mind occupied, which can make mild tooth pain easier to ignore. At night, without distractions, your brain focuses more on the discomfort, making it feel stronger and harder to ignore.
Sinus Pressure
If you’re dealing with sinus congestion from allergies, a cold, or sinus infection, you might notice that the pressure worsens at night. Since the roots of your upper molars are close to the sinus cavities, sinus pressure can make tooth pain feel more intense, even if the teeth themselves are healthy.
Teeth Grinding or Clenching
Bruxism, or nighttime teeth grinding, often happens while you sleep and can worsen existing tooth sensitivity or pain. The extra pressure from clenching can aggravate any damaged or inflamed areas in your teeth and gums. You might also wake up with jaw soreness or headaches.
Late-Night Eating or Drinking
Sugary or acidic snacks before bed can aggravate an already sensitive tooth. Bacteria feed on these sugars, producing acids that irritate teeth and gums. If you don’t brush thoroughly before sleeping, these acids can sit on your teeth overnight, increasing discomfort.
Underlying Dental Problems
Sometimes, a nighttime toothache is a sign of an unresolved dental issue, such as a cavity, cracked tooth, or gum infection. These problems often worsen without treatment, and the pain can become more noticeable at night due to the combination of increased blood flow, fewer distractions, and potential inflammation.
How to Manage Nighttime Tooth Pain
If you’re dealing with a toothache at night, here are some tips to help you get through until you can see your dentist:
- Keep your head slightly elevated to reduce pressure.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for 15–20 minutes.
- Rinse gently with warm salt water to help reduce bacteria and inflammation.
While these steps can help temporarily, they won’t solve the underlying problem.
Nighttime tooth pain is a sign that something needs attention, so scheduling an appointment with your dentist is the best way to find lasting relief.
About the Practice
Magic Touch Dental of Pasadena delivers advanced dental care when you need it most, including emergency dentistry for urgent issues like sudden toothaches. Dr. Verjee and our team are committed to providing same-day care whenever possible to relieve pain and restore oral health. If you’ve had one too many sleepless nights, it’s time for a visit. Find your relief and start smiling again!
Call us at (713) 943-9993 or request an appointment online.