Tooth pain can be frustrating at any time of the day, but nighttime toothaches feel especially intense. You may feel fine throughout the day, only to lie down at night and suddenly notice throbbing, aching, or sharp pain that keeps you awake. If your tooth hurts at night, you’re not alone. Many patients experience nighttime discomfort that seems to worsen once the lights go out.
Understanding why tooth pain increases at night can help you manage symptoms until you can see a dentist. Nighttime pain can indicate deeper dental problems, ranging from untreated cavities to sinus issues, nerve inflammation, or grinding. This guide breaks down the most common causes, what you can do at home for relief, and why ignoring nighttime pain could make your symptoms worse.
Table of Contents
Why Is Tooth Pain Worse at Night
It’s a common question: Why does tooth pain get worse at night? Even if your discomfort feels manageable during the day, lying down in bed can make the pain feel sharper, more intense, and hard to ignore.
Increased Blood Flow to the Head
When you lie flat, blood naturally moves toward your head. This increased blood pressure around the teeth can intensify inflammation, pressure, and sensitivity, making the throbbing sensation stronger.
Fewer Distractions at Night
During the day, you’re moving, talking, working, and occupied. At night, your brain is quiet. You notice pain more because there’s nothing to distract you from the discomfort.
Nighttime Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Bruxism often happens unconsciously during sleep. Grinding increases pressure on your teeth and jaw, irritating nerves, wearing enamel, and triggering nighttime toothache.
Sinus Pressure and Cold Symptoms
Blocked sinuses can create pressure on upper back teeth. When you lie down, sinus congestion worsens, leading to throbbing pain that feels like a toothache.
Nighttime pain is rarely random it’s usually a sign that the tooth or the tissues around it are inflamed and need professional evaluation.
What If Your Tooth Hurts When You Wake Up in the Morning
Some people experience pain after waking up, rather than while falling asleep. This type of morning tooth pain can point to specific dental or sleep-related issues.
Morning Pain From Grinding and Clenching
The most common cause is grinding your teeth throughout the night. Your jaw muscles and teeth experience extreme pressure for hours, causing:
- Sensitivity
- Soreness
- Headaches
- Cracked fillings or teeth
- Inflamed ligaments around the teeth
A custom nightguard can help protect your teeth while you sleep.
Sleeping Position and Swelling
Sleeping on your stomach or with your face against the pillow increases pressure on the jaw. This can irritate dental nerves or trigger soreness in already sensitive teeth.
Untreated Infections
If you wake up with pain and swelling, this may indicate:
- An abscess
- Deep cavity
- Gum infection
- Root canal inflammation
Morning pain should not be ignored it often signals something progressing overnight.
What Can You Do to Make the Tooth Pain Go Away
While professional treatment is necessary for the underlying issue, there are ways to manage tooth pain at night to help you sleep better.
Try Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen reduce inflammation, taking pressure off the tooth nerve and easing pain.
Keep Your Head Elevated
Sleeping with extra pillows prevents blood from rushing to your head. This reduces throbbing pain and swelling around the tooth.
Avoid Sweet, Hot, or Cold Foods Before Bed
Sugary and temperature-extreme foods irritate damaged enamel and exposed dentin. Avoid late-night snacks that trigger nerve sensitivity.
Apply a Cold Compress
A cold pack helps reduce swelling, numbs the area, and calms nerve activity.
These remedies offer temporary relief but they are not replacements for seeing a dentist.
How to Get Rid of a Toothache at Night
If pain hits suddenly at night and you need quick relief, try these proven strategies.
Rinse With Warm Salt Water
Salt water cleans the area, reduces bacteria, and soothes irritated gums.
Use Clove Oil for Natural Numbing
Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural anesthetic. Apply a small amount with a cotton swab to ease sharp nighttime pain.
Apply Tooth Desensitizing Gel
OTC gels block nerve signals for temporary comfort. Avoid using too frequently to prevent irritation.
Keep the Area Clean
Food trapped between teeth worsens nighttime toothache. Floss gently around the painful tooth and rinse afterward.
Avoid Sleeping Flat
Sleeping slightly elevated prevents blood pressure from increasing around the tooth, which reduces throbbing sensations.
If your toothache repeatedly wakes you up at night, it’s time for a dental exam.
My Tooth Hurts at Night But Not During the Day: Causes and Solutions
This pattern is very common and often indicates a developing problem.
Early Infection or Abscess
A tooth with infection may not hurt during the day but throbs intensely at night due to increased blood flow.
Cracks in the Tooth
Hairline fractures expand slightly with temperature changes and nighttime pressure, causing sudden sharp pain.
Failing Fillings or Crowns
If a restoration is loose, it allows bacteria to enter the tooth, leading to nighttime discomfort.
Gum Disease and Root Exposure
Receding gums expose dentin, making the tooth extremely sensitive when lying down.
Nighttime-only pain should never be dismissed it’s a major warning sign that something deeper is wrong.
Additional Reasons Why Your Tooth Hurts at Night
Sometimes nighttime tooth pain has nothing to do with cavities or infections. Your lifestyle, habits, and overall health can influence dental discomfort when the day ends.
Sinus Pressure and Congestion
Upper back teeth share roots close to the sinus cavity. When the sinuses fill with fluid or pressure, it creates discomfort that feels like a toothache.
Why Sinus Issues Trigger Tooth Pain
When you lie down, sinus pressure increases and pushes against the nerves near the roots, creating a throbbing, pulsing sensation. This is common during:
- Colds
- Allergies
- Sinus infections
- Seasonal changes
This pain usually affects several upper teeth rather than just one.
How to Know If It’s Sinus Pain
Signs include:
- Fullness or pressure in the cheeks
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Pain that worsens when bending forward
- Pain in multiple teeth, not just one
If sinus issues are the cause, treating the sinus congestion often resolves the tooth pain.
Cavities and Tooth Decay Progressing at Night
A small cavity may not hurt during the day, but once you lie down, the exposed dentin and nerve endings react more intensely.
Why Decay Hurts More at Night
- Increased blood flow worsens nerve inflammation
- Warm temperatures in bed can amplify sensitivity
- Bacteria buildup throughout the day irritates the cavity
A cavity that hurts at night needs professional attention to prevent infection.
Gum Recession and Exposed Roots
When gums pull away from the tooth, the sensitive root surfaces become exposed. These areas lack enamel and respond sharply to temperature or pressure changes.
What Makes Root Exposure More Painful at Night
- Cool bedroom air triggering sensitivity
- Dry mouth during sleep
- Pressure from sleeping positions
- Increased circulation in jaw tissues
Root exposure should be evaluated by a dentist, as it may indicate gum disease or trauma.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth Causing Night Pain
Wisdom teeth can create deep, radiating pain that becomes more noticeable at night especially if they are partially erupted or growing at an angle.
Symptoms of Wisdom Tooth Night Pain
- Pain radiating to the jaw or ear
- Swelling near the back of the mouth
- Bad taste or odor
- Tender gums
Impacted wisdom teeth often need removal before they cause more severe complications.
When Is Nighttime Tooth Pain a Dental Emergency
Not all toothaches require urgent care, but some symptoms mean you need immediate attention.
Seek Emergency Care If You Experience:
- Severe, unbearable pain
- Facial swelling
- Fever
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- A swollen bump on your gums (possible abscess)
- Pain that radiates down the neck or up to the ear
These symptoms can indicate infection, which may spread if not treated quickly.
Home Remedies to Relieve Nighttime Tooth Pain
While these remedies help you sleep, remember they are temporary solutions—not long-term treatments.
Warm Saltwater Rinse
Saltwater reduces bacteria and inflammation, providing gentle relief. Rinse for 30 seconds before bed.
Cold Compress for Swelling
A cold pack numbs the area and slows blood flow, reducing throbbing pain. Apply for 10–15 minutes.
Clove Oil for Natural Numbing
Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural anesthetic that calms irritated nerves and offers temporary relief.
Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse (Diluted)
Helps reduce bacterial buildup. Mix equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water.
Do not swallow.
Peppermint Tea Bag Compress
A warm or cold peppermint tea bag reduces inflammation and helps numb the gums.
Use an OTC Pain Reliever
NSAIDs like ibuprofen help reduce swelling and nerve irritation to help you sleep through the night.
Professional Treatments for Nighttime Toothache
Home remedies provide short-term relief, but dental treatment is essential for lasting results.
Dental Fillings or Bonding
Used to treat cavities, cracks, and worn enamel—restoring protection to exposed dentin.
Root Canal Therapy
If infection or nerve inflammation is present, a root canal removes the damaged pulp and eliminates pain.
Gum Disease Treatment
Deep cleaning, scaling, or periodontal therapy can relieve root exposure and gum-related tooth pain.
Nightguards for Grinding
A custom nightguard prevents grinding and reduces morning soreness, fractures, and nighttime nerve irritation.
Tooth Extraction or Wisdom Tooth Removal
Removing badly decayed or impacted teeth provides permanent relief and protects surrounding teeth.
How to Prevent Tooth Pain from Getting Worse at Night
Preventing nighttime pain often means breaking habits and improving daily oral health.
Avoid Late-Night Snacking
Sugar left on the teeth at night fuels bacteria, causing irritation and sensitivity.
Don’t Sleep Flat
Elevating your head keeps blood from pooling around the jaw, reducing throbbing pain.
Maintain a Strict Oral Hygiene Routine
Keeping teeth clean prevents food buildup and reduces nighttime irritation.
Use Desensitizing Toothpaste
Ingredients like potassium nitrate soothe nerve pathways and reduce sensitivity over time.
Conclusion
Nighttime tooth pain is more than just a sleep disruption — it’s often a sign that something deeper is wrong. Whether caused by cavities, infection, gum recession, cracked teeth, sinus pressure, or grinding, nighttime pain should never be ignored. Understanding the reasons behind your discomfort helps you take the right steps toward relief and long-term protection.
If nighttime tooth pain keeps returning, don’t wait. Seek professional evaluation from an experienced Dentist in Burbank, CA who can diagnose the exact cause and offer customized treatment options that stop the pain at its source. Prompt care not only relieves your symptoms but also prevents serious complications later.
FAQs
Why is my tooth pain only at night?
Nighttime tooth pain occurs due to increased blood flow to the head, quiet surroundings, inflammation, sinus pressure, grinding, or underlying dental problems such as cavities or infection.
Is it safe to ignore a toothache?
No. A persistent or recurring toothache is often a sign of decay, infection, or nerve damage. Ignoring it can lead to serious complications such as abscesses or tooth loss.
Can stress cause nighttime toothache?
Yes. Stress increases jaw clenching and grinding during sleep, leading to soreness and nerve irritation.
Why does my tooth hurt when I lie down?
Lying flat increases blood pressure around the tooth, which intensifies inflammation and nerve sensitivity.
What if pain wakes me up suddenly?
Sudden sharp pain may indicate nerve involvement or infection. Contact a dentist as soon as possible.
Can a cavity cause tooth pain only at night?
Absolutely. As cavities reach deeper layers, they irritate nerves more noticeably at night.
Does sinus infection cause tooth pain at night?
Yes. Sinus pressure increases when lying down, causing upper tooth pain that may radiate to the jaw and cheek.
Can a cracked filling cause nighttime pain?
Yes. A damaged or loose filling exposes dentin to air and temperature changes, causing sharp discomfort at night.
What home remedy works fastest for nighttime toothache?
Cold compress + ibuprofen + saltwater rinse provide the quickest short-term relief.
Is nighttime tooth pain always serious?
Not always, but it often indicates a problem that needs dental attention, especially if pain repeats nightly.
