Why Do My Teeth Hurt When I Lay Down?
Do you find yourself asking the question “why do my teeth hurt when I lay down?” Well, you’re not alone. The sudden pain when you lay down can change several things in the body, prompting discomfort.
This article will discuss possible reasons why your teeth might hurt when you’re laying down and offer advice on how to relieve the pain.
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Why Do My Teeth Hurt When I Lay Down?
When our body lies down, several changes occur. Why do my teeth hurt when I lay down? Different muscles are utilized while other muscles are relaxed. Pressure points in the body are shifted. The position of our body can influence the discomfort we feel.
How The Brain Processes Pain
Why do my teeth hurt when I lay down? Your brain recognizes pain to protect the body from harm through the nervous system.
First, your body sets off a pain message by specialized nerve cells known as pain receptors. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that alert the nervous system of the message from the pain receptors. The message then travels up the spinal cord to the brain where it is alerted.
Possible Reasons Why My Tooth Hurts When I Lay Down
Everyone’s body is unique and the way we feel can fluctuate from day to day. ‘Why do my teeth hurt when I lay down’ can be answered by several possible reasons. Finding out the cause of why you have tooth pain can help you find fast relief and avoid future discomfort.
The question ‘Reasons Why My Tooth Hurts When I Lay Down’ can be answered below.
1. Sinus Issues
Everyone has multiple sinuses that are located around the nose. Certain sinuses lay right above the roots of the top teeth. Pressure in the sinuses can affect the feeling of the teeth.
Changes in the pressure of the sinuses or a sinus infection can be why your tooth hurts when you lay down. This is because when you lay down, a change in pressure occurs, causing swelling in the sinuses. This change can put pressure on the nerves that supply painful sensations to the teeth.
If you’re wondering ‘why do my teeth hurt when I lay down’, check in with your sinuses. Contact your doctor or dentist today if you feel like you have a sinus infection to find fast relief.
2. Clenching and Grinding
Why do my teeth hurt when I lay down? This could be caused by your bruxism or grinding habit. Clenching and grinding can be a subconscious habit in your sleep, starting when you lay down to rest. The force from clenching and grinding can make the teeth hypersensitive.
Over time, permanent damage can occur to the teeth. This damage can cause pain not only when you lay down but throughout the day. Repeated clenching and grinding at night can cause fractures in the teeth, gum recession, and hypersensitivity.
To learn more, our article Consequences of Teeth Grinding has additional information.
3. Blood Flow
When we simply lay down, the body goes through several changes. One of the changes is how the blood flows in the body. When we lay down, there is an increase in blood flow to the head and the mouth. The pressure from the increased blood flow to the mouth can increase sensitivity more than what we would feel standing up.
4. Decreased Stimulus to the Brain
The brain is a powerful organ that can change what we focus on throughout the day and night. When we lay down and stop going through the motions of the day, we have fewer distractions. We notice changes in the body less when our minds are focused on other tasks.
Why do my teeth hurt when I lay down? The answer could be you more aware of any discomfort in the body. Stress and anxiety can increase for some when they go to bed. This is because we’re more aware of any distress we may have mentally, emotionally, and physically at this time.
5. Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing during sleeping or laying down is common for some. This can be caused by several things, including changes in pressure or simply the anatomy of the body. Mouth breathing causes a change in saliva flow and increased bacteria activity.
Harmful bacteria in the body can cause dental sensitivity. This is because bacteria will produce acid that weakens enamel and eventually cause cavities and gum disease. Mouth breathing can lead to why your teeth hurt when you lay down due to the increased activity of the harmful bacteria.
For more information on mouth breathing and the consequences that come with it, check out our article Mouth Breather vs Nose Breather.
6. Acid Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or acid reflux, can attribute to dental sensitivity. Acid reflux symptoms can increase when our body is in a laid-down position, especially while sleeping overnight. Continual symptoms of acid reflux can weaken enamel and increase harmful bacteria’s activity in the mouth. Acid reflux can be a reason why your teeth hurt when you lay down.
Why Do My Teeth Hurt When I Lay Down - How To Help
Why do my teeth hurt when I lay down? Hopefully, after reading this article you have more insight into your dental sensitivity. There are a few things you can do to improve your discomfort while working with your dentist to achieve long-term relief.
Tips to improve your discomfort when you lay down are:
- Try to relax before laying down through practices like breathwork and meditation.
- Brush your teeth with remineralizing toothpaste or sensitive toothpaste before you lay down.
- Use a night guard to help protect the teeth and relax the jaw. Check out our article Using A Night Guard For TMJ Pain for more information.
- Have water next to you to help neutralize bacteria.
- Prop your head up with a pillow so you’re not laying down flat.
Consult your dentist and medical doctor to help improve the way you feel when you lay down. They may even refer you to a sleep specialist to improve your quality of life. Your medical professionals can help work with you to decrease pain and improve your comfort when you lay down.
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