Toothaches: Why You Have Tooth Pain at Night

tooth pain and toothache at night

Many patients come to us wondering why their tooth pain flares up at night. Dental pain is often amplified by the horizontal position of sleep; when a person lies down, blood flow to the head increases, amplifying the intensity of any pain they might have. 

Of course, lying down in the absence of dental issues will never cause a toothache. If a person has a toothache only at night, or a toothache that worsens at night, we recommend they visit a dentist to identify the underlying cause. The most common causes for nocturnal toothaches are:

Tooth Decay

According to the Mayo Clinic, tooth decay is the number one cause of dental pain. Tooth decay, or cavities, takes the form of holes in a tooth’s enamel. Tooth decay is most commonly caused by:

  • Infrequent or inadequate brushing
  • Excessive consumption of sugary foods
  • Infrequent dental checkups and cleanings
  • Deficiencies of vitamin D or calcium

If you think you are suffering from tooth decay, you should see your dentist as soon as possible. The longer you put off a dental visit, the worse the decay will become.

Tooth Damage

Physical damage from trauma or pressure can also lead to toothaches. Patients complaining of dental pain often have cracked or broken teeth that they are not aware of. 

Sometimes cracks start small and grow worse over time. Patients often incur this kind of damage while eating and don’t feel painful until later.

Another common form of tooth damage is the gradual erosion of enamel that can occur as a result of tooth grinding. Many people unknowingly grind their teeth while asleep, and some grind their teeth while awake during moments of tension. 

Mouth guards can prevent grinding damage, but if the damage has already occurred, it’s important to consult a dentist, as your teeth will not heal on their own.

Gum Inflammation or Infection

The American Dental Association recommends that people should floss at least once every day. Inadequate flossing causes gum inflammation which, left untreated, can lead to infections. 

The pain caused by inflammation or infection can often be confused with tooth pain, so diagnosis by a dentist is critical in order to determine the correct treatment. 

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth can create pain at any age, which is why it is common practice to have them removed during adolescence. If a person with wisdom teeth is experiencing mystery tooth pain, it may be caused by shifting wisdom teeth. This pain can occur whether or not a patient’s wisdom teeth are above the gum line.

Other Health Issues

Nighttime tooth pain can also indicate that there is another less common health issue at play. Only a trained professional can determine whether or not this is the case, so it’s always best to visit a dentist to rule out all other potential issues before visiting a general practitioner to search for non-dental causes.

Solutions for Your Toothache Issues

If your toothaches are the result of decaying or damaged teeth Dr. Ghodsi and his team can help you put an end to the pain. Since 1988, Dr. Ghodsi has maintained a private practice emphasizing comprehensive, cosmetic, implant, and sedation dentistry. He is one of Las Vegas’ most accomplished implant dentists.

All-on-4 Dental Implants 

Dr. Ghodsi and his staff at Lasting Smiles Dental Care Las Vegas are your All-on-4® specialists. They understand the importance of being healthy and toothache-free, having a beautiful smile, and eating the food you love. No need to experience more pain, suffering, and embarrassment due to your teeth.

All-on-4® is a revolutionary technique where we are replacing your teeth with implants, giving you a full functioning smile – All in one day! Your new set of teeth will be made up of a digitally fabricated framework for maximum strength and flexibility.

Sedation Dentistry

We are aware that many people would rather put up with a toothache and find temporary solutions than visiting a dentist. It’s normal to feel anxiety about going to the dentist. Visiting the dentist does not have to be a stressful experience, though! An appointment with Dr. Ghodsi, one of Las Vegas’ premier sedation dentists, is completely different than your standard dental visit. Most patients tell us they felt no pain or stress and many don’t remember their treatment. 

In fact our extensive experience with sedation dentistry has allowed us to develop some cutting-edge methods that are very effective. We use a combination of sedation methods, which is extremely effective and creates a very pleasant patient experience.

You don’t need to keep suffering from toothaches. Contact us right now online or call us at 702-948-7914. We can help you – schedule a Virtual Consultation today! 

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