Typical Causes of Morning Toothache

Morning toothache can have a number of causes. Any number of things, from dental problems to sinus infections, could be to blame for a morning headache that begins in your mouth and radiates upwards. This article discusses seven potential causes of first-thing-in-the-morning dental discomfort.

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Cavities

If you have a cavity, you may wake up with a throbbing pain in your mouth. Teeth decay, or cavities, is the result of microorganisms eating away at the tooth enamel. If left untreated, cavities can worsen and eventually reach the nerves inside a tooth, causing severe pain. A pulp infection describes this condition.

Bowel Disorders

Morning toothache could also be the result of gum disease. When the jawbone and gums around your teeth (the periodontium) become infected, you have gum disease. In the later stages of the infection, severe gum recession and increasing bone loss around your teeth might occur. Tooth sensitivity, cavities, tooth loss, oral infections, and other issues might result from this.

Bruxism

The clinical name for habitual teeth grinding or clenching is bruxism. Caused by stress, it typically manifests itself in the middle of the night. Nighttime bruxism, which can cause serious oral issues, including TMD, is a common progression of bruxism.

Disorders of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMD)

Temporomandibular joint disease (TMD) is a common oral health problem. It causes discomfort in the jaw joint. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is responsible for anchoring the lower jaw to the skull and keeping it in place while chewing.

Sinusitis

Toothache first thing in the morning could also be due to a sinus infection. The classic symptom of sinusitis, which is inflammation and congestion of the sinuses, is a thick, white discharge from the nose. Sinusitis manifests with high body temperature, face pressure, coughing, and a sore throat. A cold or the flu are only two examples of upper respiratory tract infections that can trigger this symptom, but allergies are another.

Incidence of Impacted Teeth

A dental impaction may also cause morning tooth discomfort. This is the case when a wisdom tooth has erupted to some degree below the gum line but has yet to penetrate the gums. Inflammation and swelling caused by tooth impaction can make it painful to open your mouth after you wake up. Even the eruption of the maxillary canines might cause impaction. Impaction necessitates a dental exam because it can cause infection or damage to the adjacent teeth.