Why Do My Bottom Teeth Hurt at Night

People often wonder, why do my bottom teeth hurt at night? The answer is rarely simple. It can be dental, neurological, behavioral, or even related to how your body changes when you lie down.

If your bottom teeth hurt at night, you are not imagining things. The pain often feels sharper after dark, more noticeable when everything is quiet, and sometimes strong enough to interrupt sleep.

This blog breaks down some of the possible reasons why bottom teeth hurt at night. Some causes are minor while others need professional attention.

Why Teeth Hurt at Night

Teeth hurting at night often feels more intense than pain during daytime hours. This does not mean the condition suddenly worsens after sunset. Your body simply responds differently. At night, there are fewer distractions. During the day, your brain focuses on work, conversations, and movement. Pain exists but competes for attention. At night, the mind quiets down, and pain gets louder.

Another factor involved is blood flow. When you lie down, blood circulation to the head increases slightly. That extra pressure can inflame sensitive nerves in the teeth. As a result, a tooth only hurts at night even though it seemed calm earlier.

Hormonal changes also play a role. Cortisol levels drop at night. It is the hormone that helps suppress inflammation. When it decreases, inflammation feels stronger.

Common Reasons Bottom Teeth Hurt at Night

Teeth hurting at night could be due to different reasons. Some of these are discussed below.

Teeth Grinding and Clenching While Sleeping

Grinding your teeth, also called bruxism, often happens unconsciously during sleep. Many people do not realize they do it until pain appears. Grinding puts pressure on the lower teeth and jaw. Over time, the enamel wears down, nerves become irritated, and muscles tighten, causing soreness, headaches, and jaw stiffness. Stress often worsens grinding. Even mild anxiety can trigger clenching without you noticing.

Tooth Decay That Reaches the Nerve

One of the most common reasons bottom teeth hurt at night is untreated tooth decay. Cavities that reach the inner pulp expose nerve endings. Decay does not always hurt immediately. Sometimes pain shows up weeks later. And often, it shows up at night.

You might notice:

• A dull ache that turns sharp
• Sensitivity to cold air
• Pain that radiates along the jaw

If teeth hurt at night consistently, decay should always be ruled out first.

Gum Recession and Periodontal Issues

Gum recession exposes tooth roots. They do not have protective enamel and react strongly to pressure and temperature changes. Saliva normally protects teeth and neutralizes acids. With less saliva production during the night, exposed roots become more sensitive.

Sinus Pressure Can Affect Lower Teeth Too

Most people associate sinus pain with the upper teeth. But sinus pressure can radiate downward. Facial nerves connect everything. When sinus cavities are inflamed, pressure can travel along nerve pathways. Lying down worsens congestion causing teeth to hurt at night without obvious dental damage. If your tooth pain comes with nasal congestion, headaches, or facial pressure, sinus issues could be contributing.

Can Diet Influence Teeth Hurting at Night?

Acidic foods weaken enamel. Sugary snacks feed bacteria. Late-night eating increases acid exposure while saliva is low. Snacking before bed can quietly trigger pain later. Hydration also plays a keen role, as dry mouth increases sensitivity.

Why Nerve Pain Targets Bottom Teeth at Night

Nerve pain behaves differently from surface pain; It pulses, radiates, and often worsens in quiet moments. Inflamed dental nerves become hyperactive at night. The trigeminal nerve, which controls facial sensation, becomes more noticeable when the body rests.

This explains why people experience throbbing pain, tingling sensations, and pain that spreads across the jaw when they’re trying to sleep. Sometimes anti-inflammatory medication helps. Other times, nerve treatment is required.

Jaw Position during Sleep

Your jaw position changes when you lie down. Muscles relax, alignment shifts slightly. If your bite is uneven, nighttime jaw positioning can stress certain teeth more than others. The bottom teeth often bear this pressure. Side sleepers may press their jaw into the pillow. This uneven force irritates nerves. Over time, teeth hurting at night becomes a pattern. This cause is often overlooked but very real.

Dental Work Can Cause Pain

Dental procedures can temporarily irritate nerves. Fillings, crowns, and cleanings sometimes trigger nighttime pain. During the day, you chew and move. At night, inflammation settles in, and nerves respond. This pain usually fades within a few days. If it lasts longer, the bite may need adjustment.

Stress Quietly Makes Teeth Hurt at Night

Stress tightens muscles. Jaw muscles hold tension all day. At night, that tension releases through clenching. Stress also heightens pain perception. Minor irritation feels major. Even emotional stress can cause physical tooth pain. That connection surprises many people.

How Do I Stop My Bottom Teeth from Aching?

Stopping nighttime tooth pain depends on the cause. But here are a few practical steps you can try tonight.

• Sleep with your head elevated
• Avoid caffeine before bed
• Use a soft-bristle toothbrush
• Apply a cold compress to the jaw
• Practice jaw relaxation before sleep

These steps do not cure underlying problems, but they often reduce intensity while you reach out to a dentist.

Home Remedies That Sometimes Help

Some home remedies have been around for hundreds of years, and rightly so. They’ve stood the test of time and work even today. Here are a few on how to relieve pain at home .

• A simple saltwater rinse helps to reduce bacteria and soothes irritated gums.
• Apply diluted clove oil to soothe pain naturally.
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help.
• A warm compress helps relax muscles and ease tension pain.
• Pressing the LI4 acupressure point between the thumb and index finger can reduce tooth pain.

These methods can calm the symptoms temporarily, but do not replace professional care.

When to See a Dentist for Teeth Hurting at Night

Nighttime tooth pain should not be ignored; you must check with your dentist when the pain lasts more than a few nights, the remedies are not working, and the pain has started to get worse, and you see swelling in the gums or surrounding areas. A dentist can identify decay, nerve damage, gum disease, or bite issues that may be causing your teeth to hurt. Waiting too long often leads to more invasive treatment.

Why Ignoring Nighttime Tooth Pain Is Risky

Pain is communication. Even if it comes and goes, it still matters. Teeth rarely hurt without reason. Ignoring nighttime pain can allow infections to spread, nerves to die, and accelerated bone loss to occur. This would mean more costly treatments later.

Why Do My Teeth Hurt Only at Night?

Lower teeth are closer to the jaw joint. They absorb pressure from grinding. They often experience more plaque buildup. Gravity also affects blood flow differently in the lower jaw. These small differences add up. That is why people often ask, why do only my bottom teeth hurt while the top teeth feel fine? When bottom teeth hurt at night, the cause is rarely random. It usually reflects pressure, inflammation, nerve sensitivity, or stress. The pain may come and go, it may feel confusing, but it deserves attention. Understanding why teeth hurt at night helps you take the next step. Whether that step is adjusting habits or seeing a dentist, action matters.