There are some people who, unfortunately, suffer toothache at night. There could be several reasons for this. It may make you ask yourself, why do my teeth hurt at night? Tooth aches can be frustrating and uncomfortable. They can make sleeping difficult.
There could be an underlying problem that causes your teeth to hurt at night. You are suffering from a dental problem that causes toothache only at night. It is best to see a dentist and get to the root of the problem. If the situation is serious, a dentist may provide solutions like dental implants to stop the pain and aching.
Do you wonder why your teeth hurt at night? Let’s look at why some people suffer from toothaches at night and what can be done.
1. Teeth Grinding
Some people grind their teeth at night, but they are unaware that they do this. It is a little like snoring. You may not know that you are a snorer, especially if you live alone. However, if someone else is there, they can tell you that you snore at night.
If you happen to be a tooth grinder, one sign that this is happening is if you have a sore mouth in the morning. Constantly grinding your teeth at night can cause you to pain at night and in the morning.
The best thing to do is to see your dentist. They will be able to tell if you are a tooth grinder or not. At least, by finding out one way or another, you have an answer, or you can eliminate tooth grinding as the cause.
2. Teeth Cavity
As we are not dentists, we may not know that we have a cavity. Generally, a cavity may not be the reason for painful teeth at night, but it is possible.
One way to tell is if your toothache is always in the same area or from a specific tooth. It could be tooth decay or some kind of other damage that is causing you pain at night. Again, the only course of action is to see your dentist.
3. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint. You may be suffering from a TMJ disorder. Your jaw joints can be affected and cause pain. The surrounding ligaments and muscles may also be causing nocturnal discomfort. TMJ disorders can be due to several reasons such as general wear and tear, trauma or even arthritis.
However, with this condition, you may also suffer from pain such as earaches, headaches, facial pain, and tenderness of your jaw. If you have a TMJ disorder, definitely see a dentist.
4. Pulp Inflammation
The part of the tooth known as the pulp has a lot of nerve endings. These are incredibly sensitive and can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. The pain may be throbbing. It can be quite unbearable. When this is the case at night, it can be really hard to sleep. A dentist must address inflammation of the pulp.
5. Wedged Food
After you eat, there may be food wedged between your teeth. Sometimes, this can cause pressure between the teeth. It is important to brush your teeth and floss properly, especially after eating at night. If you do not, it is quite possible that wedged food or some other debris between the teeth is causing you discomfort at night.
6. Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity can also cause pain at night. Sometimes, as we get older, something hot or cold (or both) can cause you to wince and make a face! It isn’t pleasant. You can experience sensitivity during or even after you eat. Some of us also like to eat late at night while watching TV. This can cause you to have tooth problems or experience pain at night.
Another thing that could cause sensitivity at night may not have anything to do with your teeth but your gums. You may have sensitive gums or at least a part of them. This can be relieved by a dental procedure where the dentist takes a part of your gum from one place. They place it on the area where you are experiencing the pain at night. This can cure the problem, but you need to regularly play your part and visit the dentist.
7. Other Causes
There may be other causes that result in your suffering at night. These include sinus infections, loss of a filling, tooth infection, gum disease, etc. The only way to find out is to visit your dentist and follow their instructions once the source has been identified so that you can have peaceful nights.
Why do my teeth hurt at night? As you can see, there can be many reasons. Constant nerve stimulation can cause pain at night. You can try over-the-counter pain medication, avoid eating acidic food, put an ice pack before bed and do other little tricks. Ultimately, the best solution is to visit the dentist and get the proper help to eliminate the problem.
