What is Tooth Nerve Pain?
Tooth nerve pain occurs when the nerves inside your teeth react to something external. Normally, your tooth enamel protects the nerves inside the teeth so they don’t feel sensitive. If the enamel has worn off, you have a cavity, or your tooth is fractured, the nerves become exposed. You can feel sharp pain, dull pain, or throbbing pain in your tooth.
You should not ignore a toothache. The reason for the toothache could be something serious that needs to be treated before it causes worse damage.
What Causes Tooth Pain at Night?
When you lie down at night, you may notice that your tooth pain intensifies. This could be because your blood is rushing to your head, causing more pressure and throbbing in your sore tooth. It could also be because you notice the pain more when you are less distracted. Whatever the reason, your tooth hurts, and you want the pain to stop!
These are common causes of tooth pain:
- Cavities and tooth decay
- Gum disease and inflammation
- Dental trauma or injury
- Grinding or clenching teeth
- Sinus infections or allergies
Talk to your dentist if you have a toothache. At Thrive Dental Studio, we can fix cavities, treat gum disease, restore broken and injured teeth, and help you stop grinding your teeth at night. In the meantime, keep reading to learn how you can treat nighttime tooth pain at home.
How Can Nighttime Tooth Pain Be Stopped?
Consider the following methods for treating your sore tooth at night:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers. Reduce tooth pain by taking pain relievers with ingredients such as naproxen, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.
- Salt water rinse or hydrogen peroxide rinse. Saltwater is a natural disinfectant, and it will help soothe a sore tooth or gums. Hydrogen peroxide mixed with water also reduces inflammation and soothes the pain. Rinse either solution in your mouth, then spit it out in the sink.
- A cold compress or ice pack. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and press it against the sore area of your mouth for about ten minutes. This will help decrease any swelling and numb the pain.
- Avoid hot or cold foods and drinks. Anything that drastically changes the temperature in your mouth could create more tooth nerve pain.
- Use a night guard. A night guard custom-made for your mouth is especially helpful if you tend to grind or clench your teeth in your sleep.
- Elevate your head during sleep. Keep your head up using pillows to reduce inflammation around your sore tooth.
- Practice good oral hygiene. Don’t forget to brush and floss. Sometimes, cleaning your teeth dislodges a food particle that is causing pain.
- Seek professional treatment. Give your dentist a call in the morning so that you can get lasting help for your toothache.
When Should You Seek Professional Help?
Toothaches vary in severity. You should go to the dentist for professional help if you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms:
- Persistent or severe pain
- Swelling or bleeding in your gums
- Symptoms of infection
- Changes in tooth color or shape
What Services are Available at Thrive Dental Studio?
At Thrive Dental Studio, we treat all your dental problems, plus we offer a full range of dental services to meet every need. Our professional services include the following:
- General dentistry, such as routine dental checkups, tooth extractions, and root canal therapy.
- Restorative dentistry, including cavity fillings, dental crowns, and tooth replacement options.
- Cosmetic dentistry, which includes teeth whitening and veneers.
- Emergency dentistry gets you to help fast when you need it most.
Contact a Dentist Today
Dr. Dan Figueiredo at Thrive Dental Studio in Portland, Maine, will professionally diagnose your tooth pain and provide you with treatment options. The entire staff is dedicated to improving your dental health, so if you have a sore tooth, we will take it seriously and strive to get you relief. Contact us today, and we’ll set up an appointment.
