Feeling tooth pain in the morning is common. The reasons can range from mild to severe and include dental conditions or other health issues. It is a frustrating and common problem. A report published by Boldsky explains the causes and home remedies as follows:
1. **Gum Disease**
Gum disease occurs when plaque builds up on the teeth, leading to gum inflammation. This inflammation can cause redness and swelling around the teeth. Experts warn that some may mistake this for tooth pain, eventually leading to sore or loose teeth.
2. **Sinusitis**
A sinus infection can cause tooth pain in the morning. The sinuses swell and press on the facial nerves, including those around the teeth, causing pain upon waking. Additional symptoms that may indicate this diagnosis include headaches, coughing, facial pain, and fever.
3. **Dental Abscess**
If the gums or teeth are affected by bacteria, a dental abscess can occur, which is a painful condition. Symptoms include fever, swollen glands in the neck and jaw, facial pain near the affected tooth, unexplained bad breath, and pain when chewing. It is essential to see a dentist immediately if a person has a dental abscess, as the infection can spread to surrounding teeth and harm oral health.
4. **Tooth Decay (Cavities)**
Tooth decay is a common reason for waking with tooth pain. Cavities occur due to bacteria feeding on enamel. Tooth decay can irritate the dental nerve, resulting in pain. Bacteria can also penetrate inside the tooth or molar, causing painful pulpitis. Therefore, experts recommend treating cavities and getting fillings as soon as possible.
5. **Impacted Tooth**
An impacted tooth occurs when there isn't enough space for the tooth to emerge from beneath the gum line. Consequently, a person experiences pain in the area pressing on the gums. Conditions can range from experiencing pain only in the morning to pain throughout the day. This condition often affects wisdom teeth and third molars, as well as the upper canine teeth.
6. **Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)**
Many suffer from grinding their teeth during sleep, a habit that one may not be aware of. Teeth grinding can be detected by a dentist examining the enamel and seeing wear patterns. Bruxism causes tooth pain, along with jaw or facial pain in general and headaches.
7. **Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)**
A patient suffers from TMD when the jaw joint and surrounding structures become inflamed. TMD patients use their jaw muscles vigorously when chewing, which places strong pressure on the teeth, leading to tooth pain. Jaw joint disorders are also common complications of teeth grinding due to the pressure on the jaw itself.
### Home Remedies
Many home remedies can help reduce or eliminate mild tooth pain, especially in the morning, as follows:
- If a person feels tooth pain when consuming hot or cold items, they can use toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
- Clove oil can be applied several times a day to the affected tooth using a cotton ball.
- Rinse the mouth with warm saltwater several times a day.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the face several times a day for 15 minutes each time.
- If experiencing teeth grinding or TMD, a mouthguard can be worn at night.
- If the pain persists after any home remedies, the patient can take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
