You can bear it during the day, but as soon as you lie down at night the tooth throbs fiercely. Many people have been through this, and it often means the tooth has a problem that needs checking.
- A toothache is worse at night because lying down sends more blood to the head, raising pressure on an inflamed pulp, and there are fewer distractions.
- Pain that increases at night or comes on by itself is often seen with decay that has reached the pulp or with root-tip inflammation.
- Raising the head, rinsing with warm salt water and avoiding hot and cold food only helps temporarily.
- Severe pain, cheek swelling, pus, fever or trouble swallowing needs to be seen right away.
A toothache that gets worse at night is not the tooth hurting by the clock. It is that several things make the pain more noticeable when you lie still in the quiet.
Why does the tooth hurt more at night?
- Lying down sends more blood to the head, raising pressure on an inflamed tooth pulp, so the pain throbs with the pulse.
- During the day we are busy and distracted. At night it is quiet and the pain stands out more.
- Many people grind in their sleep, which adds to the pain of a damaged tooth.
What commonly causes night-time toothache?
Pain that increases at night, especially spontaneous pain with no trigger, is often seen when:
- Decay has gone deep, close to or into the pulp. See how to tell whether decay has reached the pulp.
- The pulp or the tissue around the root tip is inflamed.
- A tooth is cracked or chipped, or an old filling has failed.
- A wisdom tooth is coming in crooked, with gum covering it.
What can you do to ease it while waiting to be seen?
- Prop your head higher when lying down.
- Rinse gently with warm salt water.
- Avoid very hot or very cold food and do not chew on the sore side.
- Do not pack food or foreign substances into the cavity, and do not take medicine of unknown origin. If you need a painkiller, ask a dentist or pharmacist.
These steps only help temporarily and do not treat the cause. Please be seen early.
When do you need to be seen right away?
- Severe pain that lasts, or spontaneous pain that does not stop.
- Swelling of the cheek or gum, or pus. See swollen cheek from a tooth: what is it.
- Fever, trouble swallowing or trouble opening the mouth.
You may also read what to do about toothache and when to be seen right away. You can visit in person during working hours at 266A - 268, Đường 3 Tháng 2, Phường Hòa Hưng, Ho Chi Minh City, or call the hotline 028.3868.1097 (Zalo 082.299.3377) to ask about quieter hours.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my tooth hurt more when I lie down?
When you lie down more blood flows to the head, which raises pressure on an inflamed pulp and makes the pain throb more clearly.
What does a toothache at night suggest?
Pain that increases at night or comes on by itself is often seen when decay has reached the pulp, or with pulp or root-tip inflammation. Be examined so the dentist can find out.
Do I need to be seen right away?
If the pain is severe or lasting, or there is cheek swelling, pus, fever or trouble swallowing, be seen at once. Temporary measures only ease discomfort and do not treat the cause.