Imagine going to bed at night, looking forward to a deep and peaceful slumber, only for unbearable tooth pain to occur. There are different types of toothache you can experience, be it throbbing, dull, severe, or more. So extreme tooth pain due to which you can’t sleep can be distressing to deal with. Poor oral hygiene, teeth grinding, blood flow, and other factors are usually responsible for this condition. In this blog, we’ll go over the common causes of toothache at night and rips for pain relief.
Why Do I Have Extreme Toothache At Night & Can’t Sleep?
You can only treat a condition after knowing the cause. For instance, toothache has different causes, and various symptoms might accompany it. So, if you’re wondering, ‘Why does my tooth hurt at night?’ these reasons could be it:
1. Cavity
Poor oral care, bad diet, and many other factors can lead to tooth decay. When left untreated, it can form a hole or a cavity in your tooth. Your toothache could be due to cavities or tooth decay. The tooth pain can range from mild to so extreme that you can’t sleep. Hence, consult your dentist immediately if you have cavities.
2. Gum Disease
The supporting structure around your teeth, including gums, can hurt when they get infected. The plaque and bacteria can reach your gums, risking periodontal disease if you don’t practice good oral hygiene. You might experience throbbing gum pain, along with:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Tenderness
- Bleeding
- Pus-pocket
3. Damaged Tooth
You can suffer through extreme tooth pain and can’t sleep due to the severity of the ache if you damage your tooth. The damage could look like a cracked, chipped, or broken tooth. The crack is often not visible, but you can experience its symptoms. For example, your tooth may hurt suddenly when you chew. You’ll also feel a sharp, unbearable toothache when it comes in contact with something hot or cold. Visit your dentist right away if this occurs, they’ll treat the tooth accordingly.
4. Sinusitis
You could experience molar tooth pain due to sinus infections. The pain results from the build-up just above your molars, which puts pressure on the tooth nerve endings. Consequently, you’re left with soreness in your teeth, jaw, and the side of your face. Extreme tooth pain may be so unbearable that you can’t sleep.
5. Tooth Nerve Pain
Your tooth’s pulp contains the nerves and blood vessels. When the infection passes the outer layers of your teeth and invades the pulp, pulpitis occurs. Tooth nerve pain at night could be why your tooth pain gets worse at night.
The affected pulp shows symptoms like swelling and inflammation. Moreover, pressure increases inside the root canal of your tooth. As a result, you experience sharp, throbbing tooth pain due to the compressed nerves and blood vessels. Depending on your condition, the dentist might suggest a root canal, tooth removal, or whatever is the most suitable option. This could be why you have extreme tooth pain and can’t sleep at night.
How To Get Rid Of Tooth Pain?
You can get rid of the extreme and unbearable tooth pain by:
- Taking an OTC pain reliever
- Using cold compress
- Sleeping with an elevated head
- Avoiding triggers like cold, hot, and acidic foods or drinks
- Rinse your mouth with a good mouthwash or saltwater
- Contact your dentist as soon as you can.
What Should I Do?
Do you have extreme tooth pain and can’t sleep? There are many reasons it might be happening, but your dentist can help you treat it. Our Smile1 Dentistry team is always here to help you improve your oral health. Schedule an appointment with us at (713) 936-4062.