Skip to main content

Why Are You Waking Up with Tooth Pain?

Woman with Jaw Pain Roswell, GA

Few things are less tolerable than tooth pain. A toothache can be especially disruptive and frustrating if you wake up to the pain. It is not uncommon to have a tooth that only hurts after you’ve been asleep. While there are many reasons for dental discomfort in general, if your tooth pain only occurs in the morning, here are some potential culprits.

Bruxism

Sleep bruxism refers to the grinding or clenching of your teeth during the night. This can occur in patients of all ages, even kids. It is a subconscious habit that can be aggravated by stress, certain medications or misalignment. Unfortunately, sleep bruxism often causes morning tooth pain. The excessive forces on your teeth for hours while you sleep doesn’t go unscathed. Patients may experience sore teeth, sensitive teeth, jaw pain, headaches or worn down teeth.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

TMD is used to describe pain or dysfunction that occurs in the jaw joint. Beyond your sore teeth in the morning, you may also have pain in your face, neck and ears. An audible clicking noise or popping sounds may also present itself with your first morning yawn. Sleep bruxism is a primary cause of TMD, and a custom nightguard from your dentist can help.

Sinusitis

This is an inflammation or swelling of the sinuses. Due to the close proximity of the sinus cavities to the upper teeth roots, it can be easy to confuse sinus pain with dental problems, especially within the upper back molar region. Tooth pain that is related to sinusitis tends to be worse in the morning, when the fluid in your sinuses has accumulated while lying down. It is important to consider other symptoms you may having with this type of tooth pain, including sinus pressure, facial pain, fever, cough, nasal congestion, fatigue and bad breath. Treating your tooth pain in this case may need to come from your primary care doctor or ENT instead of your dentist.

It’s not uncommon to wake up in the morning with tooth pain, but you shouldn’t ignore it. The most common culprits for suffering from dental pain when you first awake is bruxism or sinusitis. However, dental issues like cavities, gum disease, impacted teeth and dental abscesses may also be at play. At the office of Dr. Mitzi Morris, we want to know about your tooth pain as soon as possible – regardless of what time of day it is occurring.

Posted on behalf of Mitzi D. Morris

1297 Hembree Rd Suite 202
Roswell, GA 30076

Phone: 678-459-2990

Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Our Patient Reviews

Mitzi D. Morris, DMD, PC

4.8/ 5.0

Based on 44 reviews

  • Dr. Morris is an excellent dentist. Her ability to relate to her patients makes her a stand-out amongst those in her profession. She practices dentistry with superior technique and care. Her staff is friendly, helpful, and acco

    Cathy Q
  • Definitely would recommend Dr. Morris to anyone. She has been my dentist for over 8 years! Dr. Morris is extremely personable and is serious about the completing the best care possible. Great established dental team! Very accom

    Kelly T
  • Great and very educational experience. Compared to my last two dentists this experience blows them both out of the water. The staff is very friendly, and very helpful. I had to go in for a total of four visits a few weeks apart fr

    Eric F
  • I transferred from a long-term and very good relationship with my former dentist because of a move, and I was a little apprehensive about a new dentist. Dr. Morris has been great. She is friendly, patient-concerned and the offic

    Christopher P
  • Dr. Morris and her staff are very professional. Additionally, she as well as her staff have an excellent "bedside manner." The office is new and well equipped. If one has an appointment and an earlier one opens up, Dr. Morris offe

    David G
  • I have never met a staff so nice and charming. This staff will make you feel comfortable and relaxed in Dr. Morris's Spa like office and everyone is professional and approachable too. Andrea R. explained the process of my appointm

    Adam O
  • I've been a patient of Dr. Mitzi Morris for many years, and recommend her without reservation. The office is modern. clean and spacious. The staff has always been welcoming and very helpful. And the women who work for her as denta

    Bruce C
  • I have never experienced an office so down to earth, so outgoing and so willing to satisfy. If you've grown to dread the dentist then lay down your sword and give this office a shot.

    Marc Mamane

Load more reviews Write a review

Contact Us

Phone

678-459-2990

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Social Media

Address

1297 Hembree Rd Suite 202
Roswell, GA 30076

Request an Appointment

Fill out the form below to request an appointment





    678-459-2990 Request an Appointment