Three Possible Reasons Why Your Teeth Always Hurt In The Morning

Noticing that your teeth hurt at any time of the day or night can be worrying, not to mention uncomfortable. If you've recently noticed that your teeth seem to hurt when you get up for the day but not at any other time, it may have you puzzled and wondering what the cause could be. This guide can help by giving you a look at three of the most common reasons for pain in your teeth or mouth when you start your day.

What You Eat

What you eat over the course of the day can of course impact your oral health, but the way that you start your morning can be particularly impactful. This is because many people start their day with beverages like juice, tea, or coffee.

All three of these substances have acids in them. For some people, drinking these at any time of the day or night is enough to cause discomfort. However, many people only drink these beverages early in the day, and as a result, have no discomfort later on. Alternatively, if you're brushing your teeth before drinking these beverages, that may be to blame. Toothbrushing can temporarily soften dental enamel, making the interior of the teeth more sensitive to acids. If you think this may be your problem, you should see a dentist to see if your enamel is healthy.

How You Sleep

The way that you sleep can play a role in making your teeth hurt in the morning, too. Some people, especially those undergoing stress, can end up grinding their teeth in their sleep. This constant rubbing and pressure can make teeth ache when you wake up. Unfortunately, it can also lead to enamel breakdown over time, or can even result in your teeth becoming cracked.

Sleep grinding can usually be taken care of by using a dental guard. These can be purchased from your dentist or over the counter, though custom dentist-made dental guards are more effective and comfortable.

Dry Mouth

Finally, it's possible that dry mouth could be your issue. Dry mouth is something many people go through, often due to certain prescription medications. If you have dry mouth, it can lead to bacterial overgrowth while you're sleeping. This gets even worse if you sleep with your mouth open, as it further dries out the mouth.

Dry mouth's increase in bacterial activity can lead to more cavities, enamel damage, and even gum infections. If you notice that you frequently wake up with a dry-feeling mouth or sticky plaque stuck to your teeth or lips, visit with a dentist to get your teeth checked and to gain solutions to dry mouth.

For more information about general dentistry, contact a dentist in your area.