Imagine you had gone through your entire day, conquered it, and are ready to enjoy a nice, long, restful sleep. You get comfy in your bed with your favorite blanket covering you and relish the silence that surrounds you. Everything seems to be going perfectly when a toothache starts to get worse. It can leave you annoyed by disrupting your sleep, but why is this happening? Keep reading to learn four reasons why this is the case and why calling your emergency dentist is important.
1.) Change in Position
It may seem odd, but your dental discomfort may become more prominent because you are lying down. This change in your position allows your heart to more easily send blood upward toward your head when it normally has to fight gravity while you’re standing. This is normal, but the extra pressure can make your toothache a bit worse than it was before.
2.) There Are Less Distractions
As you are out and about during the day, you may be aware of many different things at once. Maybe you’re thinking about the bumpy road you drove on or the constant sounds that are going off around you. Many people tend to sleep in total silence or have a fan going with some soft music in the background. Compared to before, these are not as distracting and allow you to listen to your body, such as a hurting tooth, which you can now easily focus on.
3.) You Had a Nighttime Snack
If you tend to raid your fridge or pantry for a light snack to hold you off while you close your eyes, then this may be the culprit of your worsening toothache. A piece of food may be stuck between your teeth, leading to discomfort. Redoing your oral hygiene routine can help remove any morsels causing issues.
4.) Excessive Teeth Grinding or Clenching
This habit is also known as bruxism, and it can be the reason you have a troubled tooth. The pressure from it can strain the muscles in your mouth and make them feel sore. This is especially true if it happens during the night, so you wake up feeling the discomfort that keeps you up during bedtime.
Should I Call My Dentist?
In short, it’s best to call your emergency dentist right away in the morning. By scheduling an appointment, you can have your provider look to see if there is an underlying problem that’s leading to the toothache. They will help tackle it and get you back to sleep through the night pain-free.
About the Practice
At Harbor Dental Center, you benefit from the compassionate leadership of Dr. Meredith Todd and Dr. Bhatt. They are passionate about giving their patients the best care they deserve, especially during urgent visits. By offering same-day appointments, you can get relief from a toothache as soon as possible. If you have dental discomfort that’s keeping you up at bedtime, the fastest way to contact us is by calling (410) 228-5445.