Ice. Apply a cold compress to the aching tooth for 10 to 15 minutes to help numb the area. If your tooth is too sensitive, you can apply the ice to the outside of your mouth near the tooth.
Use an oral numbing gel.
They're available at most pharmacies and use benzocaine or another local anesthetic to numb the area and prevent or lessen the painful sensation. One popular brand is Orajel.
In some cases, nerve pain in the tooth can go away on its own if the cause of it is temporary. For example, nerve pain from a cracked tooth may go away if the crack does not deepen and the nerve is left undamaged. However, nerve pain from decay, trauma, or infection will likely not go away on its own.
Exposed Tooth Root Symptoms
One of the most obvious signs is tooth sensitivity, where you experience severe pain while consuming sweets, acidic foods, and hot or cold beverages or food. Sensitivity pain that persists long after your tooth came in contact with hot or cold beverages and food.
It has the outer layer, which is the enamel, the middle layer, which is called the dentin, and then the inner layer, which is called the nerve. So anytime that nerve is affected, it is really, really, really painful. That throbby pain that you talk about, that you can't do anything.
Sleep with your head elevated – Prop up a few pillows to prevent your blood flow from rushing to your head, making your tooth pain worse. Use a cold compress – A cold compress (or towel-wrapped ice pack) can reduce inflammation and numb the area.
Tooth nerve pain can develop gradually over time, initially feeling like a dull ache in the mouth and gradually building into more severe discomfort. Acting on the pain early on can help to alleviate discomfort and may provide your dental surgeon with less intensive treatment options.
“Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin or naproxen work well with dental pain because they reduce inflammation,” says Huang. Recent data has shown the combination of Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) is as effective as prescription opioids for tooth pain.
In general, non-NSAIDs and even opioids aren't very effective for toothache pain. If over-the-counter painkillers are not working for your toothache, call your dentist right away. You may need another medication, such as an antibiotic, in preparation for having the tooth pain fixed.
Nerve Damage Does Not Heal Itself…
When symptoms are minor and the root of the tooth is exposed, a dental filling is considered by the dentist. Where the symptoms are major, root canal treatment is required. Either way, consult the dentist for emergency treatment as soon as you can.
In some cases, dentists may offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to patients who are anxious to allow them to relax and reduce nervousness. During larger procedures, your doctor may suggest sedation to ease nerves and make the process go more smoothly.
When you lie down to sleep, more blood is able to rush to your brain. More blood circulation means experiencing more tooth pain than if you were standing. This is because the increased blood flow exerts pressure on the painful tooth.
Like we touched on above, a toothache may simply be the result of your lunch lingering between your teeth, in which case brushing and flossing can easily resolve the problem.
With treatment, dental nerve damage can heal in six to eight weeks. If, however, the effects last more than six months, then it is considered permanent nerve damage. Depending on the cause of injury, there are various treatments that may be applied to treat dental nerve damage.
Avoid too hot or cold beverages like coffees, teas, sodas, ice cream, or water. Avoid too hot food. Avoid sugary items such as soda, cookies, and candy. Avoid acidic items such as lemon juice, tomatoes, and apple cider vinegar.
Apply COLD!
You may have gasses trapped in your tooth. If you keep ice cold water in your mouth, the gasses will contract and pain either lessens or ceases.
The inflammation is usually reversible, but there are times when the inflammation isn't reversible, and the pulp can't heal itself. In either case, it's best to visit your dentist for treatment so they can help get you on the road to recovery.
Dead or dying nerves in the pulp can lead to a dead tooth. A dead tooth will also no longer have any blood flow to it. A dead nerve in a tooth is sometimes referred to as a necrotic pulp or a pulpless tooth. Once this happens, the tooth will eventually fall out by itself.
A persistent toothache that lasts two days or more indicates a serious underlying dental problem requiring immediate treatment. A prompt visit to the dentist will uncover the cause of your tooth pain and greatly improve your oral health.
It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine.
Ibuprofen for adults (Nurofen)
Other brand names: Brufen, Calprofen, Fenbid, Ibugel, Ibuleve. Find out how ibuprofen treats pain and swelling (inflammation), and how to take it.
Because ibuprofen has a strong anti-inflammatory effect, it is more effective than paracetamol at controlling certain types of pain, including rheumatoid arthritis, period pain, and muscular injuries.
You can take two tablets every four hours, but do not take more than eight tablets in 24 hours.