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Aug 07, 2025
Nothing is more unsettling than waking up in the middle of the night due to the unbearable toothache. Leaving it unattended can worsen the pain and make it difficult to fall asleep. Nighttime toothaches are common problems people face, especially kids and teenagers.
Toothaches often trigger at night because of increased blood flow to the head when you are lying down. This elevates the pain sensitivity, which can lead to throbbing tooth pain. Sometimes, prolonged cavities, teeth grinding, and gum infections can also cause discomfort.
However, there are a few great ways to relieve or alleviate the pain. From natural remedies to pain medication and ice packs, you can try these methods to ease discomfort.
In this guide, we'll share the main causes of toothaches at night and their proper remedies. Make sure you visit your dentist in Hope Island the first thing in the morning. They will examine your teeth and gums to diagnose the main cause to avoid further dental emergencies.
1. What Causes Tooth Pain at Night?
Below are some of the most common causes of elevated toothaches at night:
Increased Blood Circulation:
When you lie down on the bed, the blood quickly rushes to your head. This puts pressure on your mouth, which can worsen the toothache. That's one of the key reasons why people often don't experience the same level of throbbing pain while sitting or standing.
If you have prolonged cavities, gum disease or even an impacted wisdom tooth, you may experience a sudden increase in tooth pain.
Teeth Grinding:
Teeth grinding exerts excess pressure on the jaws, teeth and gums. Those who grind their teeth at night may experience discomfort. Furthermore, it may cause enamel erosion, tooth fracture and headache.
Tooth Decay:
Cavities or holes in teeth can expose nerves. This can cause throbbing pain when you are less distracted at night. Thus, it is good to get it treated with the help of your dentist in Hope Island to prevent more painful nights.
Eating Sugary Food at Night:
If you have a habit of having sugary foods or drinks at night and sleeping without brushing your teeth, you will experience pain one day. The plaque in your mouth will feed on the leftover food particles, which can increase the pain.
Sinus or Ear Pressure:
Congestion and even sinus infection can elevate the pain to the upper teeth. It becomes uncomfortable when lying down on a flat surface like a bed.
2. Remedies to Treat/ Reduce Toothaches at Night
You can try the following remedies or methods to relieve throbbing tooth pain:
Elevate Your Head When Lying Down:
You can treat toothache at night with this hack. You should keep your head up by using an extra pillow while lying down. This can reduce blood flow to the head and relieve pressure around the untreated tooth.
Using a Cold Compress:
One of the most common symptoms of a toothache is swelling. In such a scenario, you can use a cold compress to alleviate swelling and pain. You can apply the ice pack to the affected area of your jaw or face to compress the blood vessel. It can help fight gingivitis, which can reduce your pain temporarily.
Use Clove Oil:
It is an herbal oil that may help relieve pain, especially the throbbing toothache. It has anti inflammatory properties that can make you feel comfortable. You can soak a cotton ball in the clove oil, and place it on the affected tooth or gum until the pain reduces.
Rinse Mouth with Saltwater:
People with infected gums and untreated cavities often experience sudden toothaches at night. Dentists recommend saltwater rinse to alleviate the pain. It will help clean the infected area while reducing inflammation
Drink Peppermint Tea:
This may temporarily ease discomfort if you experience a sudden toothache at night. There is no denying that peppermint has antioxidents and antibacterial properties and drinking its tea can reduce the throbbing pain at night. This can also help beat bad breath. You can drink regularly before going to the bed.
Take Over the Counter Pain Relief:
If the pain is unbearable, you can use pain relief like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These medications can suppress a toothache. You can also use numbing gels and pastes to reduce the pain until you fall asleep. However, you should never use pain relief pills to treat your infants and toddlers.
Say No to Triggering Foods:
If you want to avoid unbearable toothache at night, never eat hot, cold and sugary foods before going to the bed. It may reduce pain, especially if you have cavities or gum disease.
3. Visit Your Dentist for Treatment
Are you still experiencing the toothache besides medication? Is it getting unbearable due to headaches or fever? Don't wait too long. You should visit your dentist in Hope Island for dental emergencies and proper treatments, such as filling, root canal or other infection management.
Wrapping Up
Toothaches at night can be relentless and intense due to various reasons. It is good to consider these remedies and methods to alleviate pain. If you have cavity or gum disease, visit your dentist the next day. If the pain is unbearable despite medication, seek emergency dental help to ease discomfort.
