Gloss & Floss Answers · Emergency Dentistry
Why do I get toothache at night?
Short answer
Toothache at night can happen when inflammation inside a tooth, infection, a crack, deep decay, pressure from grinding or gum problems become more noticeable while you are lying down and less distracted. Night-time tooth pain should be taken seriously, especially if it is severe, throbbing, worsening or combined with swelling, fever or bad taste.
Why pain may feel worse at night
When you lie down, blood flow and pressure around inflamed tissues may change. You may also notice pain more clearly at night because there are fewer distractions than during the day.
Night pain can sometimes indicate that the nerve inside the tooth is inflamed or that an infection is developing around the root.
Common causes of night toothache
- Deep decay close to the nerve
- Inflammation inside the tooth
- Dental abscess or root infection
- A cracked tooth or cracked filling
- Wisdom tooth inflammation
- Gum infection or deep gum pocket
- Teeth grinding or clenching during sleep
- A high filling or bite overload
- Sinus-related pressure affecting upper teeth
What happens at Gloss & Floss?
At Gloss & Floss Dental Care in Stockholm, the dentist examines the tooth and surrounding area to find the likely cause of night pain. This may include cold testing, bite testing, gum assessment and X-rays when needed.
Treatment depends on the diagnosis. The solution may be a filling, root canal treatment, infection management, bite adjustment, wisdom tooth care, extraction assessment or planned follow-up.
When should you seek urgent help?
- The pain wakes you from sleep
- The pain is throbbing or increasing
- You have swelling in the gum, cheek or jaw
- You have fever or feel unwell
- You notice pus or bad taste
- Painkillers no longer help
- The tooth hurts when biting
- The pain follows trauma or a broken tooth
Frequently asked questions
Can night toothache go away by itself?
Sometimes mild irritation settles, but repeated or severe night pain should be assessed because it may indicate nerve inflammation or infection.
Does night pain always mean root canal treatment?
No. Root canal treatment may be needed in some cases, but the dentist must first diagnose the cause.
Can grinding cause night tooth pain?
Yes. Clenching or grinding can overload teeth, fillings and jaw muscles, causing pain that is noticed in the morning or at night.
Should I take antibiotics for toothache?
Antibiotics are not always appropriate. Dental infection usually needs diagnosis and treatment of the source, not only medication.
Related answers
- When should I seek emergency dental care?
- Why does my tooth hurt when I bite?
- When is a swollen cheek or swollen gum urgent?
Related treatments
Disclaimer
This article provides general information from Gloss & Floss Dental Care in Stockholm. It does not replace emergency dental assessment, diagnosis, X-ray evaluation or treatment advice.
