After a long day of doing your normal routine, you may be excited to finally wind down and get into bed. You bring your sheets close to you and start to drift off into dreamland. However, the toothache you had is slowly getting worse now that you are lying down. This might leave you frustrated, but why does it seem to be getting stronger at night? Here are a couple of reasons why it happens and why you should call your emergency dentist in the morning.
1.) Changes in Position
When you’re standing up, your toothache might not feel intense or nonexistent. However, when you lie flat, this change can be the culprit. Your heart is now in line with the rest of your body, pumping blood more easily upward to your face. The increased flow can put extra pressure on your teeth, making your discomfort worse than before.
2.) Not Many Distractions
During the day, there may be hundreds of things grabbing your attention. From the constant sounds around you to driving on to a bumpy road, you might just not have been thinking about your toothache! However, with the comfortable silence that often accompanies sleep, you may have an easier time focusing on the troubled tooth.
3.) Nighttime Eating
Many people raid their pantry right before they hit the hay. While it may quell any lingering hunger, a morsel of your snack might be stuck between your teeth. When it’s not taken out, it can lead to discomfort. You can try to redo your oral hygiene routine and floss to get the piece out!
4.) Bruxism
This is when you subconsciously grind or clench your teeth while you sleep. It’s a bad habit that puts too much pressure on your smile, causing the muscles in your jaw to become sore, which can be mistaken for a toothache. Oftentimes, many people who do this experience pain in the morning when they wake up or notice increased wear on their grin.
Do I Need to Call My Dentist for My Toothache?
In the end, it’s generally best to call your emergency dentist first thing in the morning! If it’s just a stuck piece of food, then it’s likely nothing to worry about. However, there may be an underlying problem if the issue persists. Getting it checked out by your dentist can make sure that your oral health doesn’t falter and you get back to the restful nights you deserve.
About the Practice
At Charm Smile Dental, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Mahmoud Homsi and Dr. Jake Shlaferman. We are here for the Concord community with their oral healthcare scare by getting you in as soon as possible. Through state-of-the-art technology, we can find the root of your dental emergency and then give you the prompt treatment you need for relief. If you have a toothache that’s keeping you up, the fastest way to schedule an appointment is by calling (603) 228-0123.