A toothache comes at the worst possible time. However, there could not be anything more unpleasant than having tooth pain during the night. Since fewer activities distract attention from the pain, toothaches often seem to get worse at night. Plaque accumulation or teeth grinding might be the cause of your dental pain. But if you are living in Boynton Beach, you are accessible to dental clinics everywhere. Therefore, if your toothache becomes worse, you should always contact an emergency dentist in Boynton Beach.
Why are toothaches more painful at night?
There are many reasons why your toothache might worsen at night.
You likely brushed your teeth too vigorously after dinner or a late-night snack. Food particles can stay lodged in between your teeth or gums, especially if you have not brushed, which might worsen the problem.
You may have had a toothache throughout the day, but you might not have noticed it as much because of life’s usual distractions. Sometimes, you may not realize how uncomfortable your teeth actually are until you get down for a nap at night. Find out which causes toothaches that commonly occur at night.
- Late night snacks
Are you a lover of sweet foods? So does the dental plaque. The bacterium that forms plaque is an invisible film that covers your teeth and gums. This bacteria produces acid, which leads to cavities, and eats sugar, weakening teeth.
It is crucial to remember to wash your teeth after eating late-night food. If not, the sugar will remain on your teeth till the following day. Dental decay and gum disease are more prevalent in people who practice poor oral hygiene.
- Fewer distractions
The nighttime offers fewer distractions to distract your attention from your toothache. Because of this, some patients report that their tooth pain gets worse at night. The ability of the human brain to focus on several things at once is limited. It is harder to get distracted from your toothache when you are trying to fall asleep.
- Cavities
Cavities are among the most common reasons for toothache. A cavity refers to a hole that develops in your tooth as a result of nourishment or dental decay brought on by poor oral hygiene. In spite of causing dental sensitivity, the pain might vary in intensity from mild to intense.
- Higher blood circulation
Your brain may get more blood when you lie down to sleep. You will feel more pain in your teeth than if you were standing because of increased blood circulation. This occurs as a result of pressure being applied to the painful tooth by the increased blood flow.
- Teeth grinding
Do you often wake up with jaw or tooth pain? If so, you may grind your teeth during the night. The majority of those who grind their teeth at night do it without realizing it. Instead, people have dental pain when they wake up.
Worn tooth enamel and dental aches upon waking are signs of teeth grinding. There are occasions when this pain extends from your teeth into your lower jaw as well as behind your brow. Furthermore, drowsiness during the day is not uncommon in those who grind their teeth.
What do you do if you cannot go to the dentist?
There are a few things you can do to treat your toothache temporarily if it is late at night or you are unable to go to a dentist.
Below are a few helpful ideas to try, depending on what kind of toothache you are experiencing:
- Use pillows to hold your head up while you sleep to make sure that your head is elevated and the blood does not fall too heavily on any sensitive places.
- Brush, floss, and gently rinse your mouth with cold water to help remove any food particles that may be causing discomfort.
It is important to remember that these are merely some temporary remedies to keep the pain at rest while you wait for an appointment. In the long run, none of these solutions will be effective, and they will not heal the condition.