Symptoms · toothache at night
Why does my tooth hurt more at night?
Tooth pain often feels worse at night because lying flat sends more blood to your head, which increases pressure on an inflamed nerve, and there's less to distract you. Pain that wakes you usually means the nerve is significantly inflamed. Call Y3 Smiles Dental in Broadmeadows first thing in the morning on (03) 9022 4442.
Tonight: hospital, or wait for the morning?
Go to hospital or call 000
- Swelling of your face, eye or neck that is getting bigger
- Difficulty breathing, swallowing or talking
- Fever with chills, or feeling faint or confused
Call us today
- Pain that woke you and hasn't eased: call us when we open
- A swollen gum or bad taste around the sore tooth
- Pain that isn't controlled by the pain relief you can safely take
Outside our opening hours in Victoria, NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24 can give advice at any time. For an emergency, call 000.
Why is tooth pain worse when you lie down?
The nerve and blood vessels in the centre of a tooth sit inside a hard, closed space. When that tissue is inflamed it swells, but it has nowhere to go, so pressure builds. Lying flat increases blood flow to your head and adds to that pressure, which is why the ache can turn into a throb as soon as your head hits the pillow.
There's also less going on at night. During the day, work, conversation and noise pull your attention away. In a dark, quiet room, the same pain feels bigger.
What does pain that wakes you up usually mean?
Pain strong enough to wake you, or that lasts long after hot or cold food, often means the nerve inside the tooth is badly inflamed and may not recover by itself. It can also come from an infection building at the root tip. It's a sign to get the tooth examined soon, rather than waiting to see if it passes.
What can you safely do tonight?
- Prop your head up on an extra pillow or two to ease the throbbing.
- Take pain relief you normally use, following the packet directions. If you're unsure what's safe with your health or other medicines, ask a pharmacist or call NURSE-ON-CALL.
- Hold a cold pack wrapped in a cloth against your cheek for 15 minutes at a time.
- Rinse with warm salty water and gently floss in case food is caught.
- Skip late snacks and sweet drinks, and avoid alcohol, which can make throbbing worse.
- Don't apply heat to your face if there's any swelling.
What will the dentist do in the morning?
When you call Y3 Smiles Dental, mention that the pain is waking you. We'll look for the tooth causing it, test it, and usually take an x-ray. If the nerve is inflamed beyond recovery, the options are generally root canal treatment to save the tooth, which our what to expect page walks through, or removing it. Often we can relieve the pain at that first visit. Read more on our emergency dentistry page.
Other questions people ask
Why does my tooth only hurt when I lie down?
When you lie flat, blood pressure in your head rises slightly. Inside a tooth there is no room for an inflamed nerve to swell, so that extra pressure is felt as throbbing.
Should I go to hospital for toothache at night?
Only if you have spreading swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, a high fever or you feel very unwell. For toothache alone, manage it as safely as you can overnight and call a dentist when they open.
Can I call someone overnight for advice?
In Victoria you can call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24 at any hour for health advice. If it is a medical emergency, call 000.
Is it safe to sleep with a toothache?
Yes, if there are no warning signs like spreading swelling or trouble breathing. Keep your head raised and have pain relief you can take safely nearby.
Could grinding my teeth cause pain at night?
Grinding or clenching in your sleep can make teeth and jaw muscles ache, but that pain is usually worst on waking rather than keeping you up. A dentist can check for signs of grinding.