Take an over-the-counter pain reliever – Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and other pain relievers can ease the pain. Use a cold compress – An ice pack or cold damp cloth can numb the area and can be especially helpful if you are experiencing swelling. Swish salt water or peroxide – These rinses can relieve inflammation.
In most cases, tooth nerve pain does indicate an underlying issue that is causing the pain. By treating the underlying condition, the nerve pain should go away.
When teeth lose their protective coatings, temperature changes in the mouth and food and drink can move through the tubules to the tooth nerves. According to MouthHealthy.org, enamel erosion, cavities, gum disease, exposed tooth roots and tooth fractures expose dentin in teeth and trigger tooth pain.
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.
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.
Tooth nerve pain can feel severe like a sharp, stabbing pain or as little as a dull ache. If your tooth nerve is exposed, particular foods and drinks will probably trigger the pain. Pain in an exposed tooth nerve can be triggered by foods and drinks that are hot or cold, sugary, acidic, or sour.
Pulpitis is reversible if you identify it early. Your dentist will treat the cause and expect the symptoms to resolve. The main sign that the pulpitis has progressed to irreversible pulpitis is a lingering sensitivity to heat or cold. In this case, you'll need a root canal or tooth extraction.
Teeth nerves do have the ability to heal, yes. However, there are degrees of damage that occur and it is only in certain circumstances that self-healing happens.
Also called regional anesthesia or a nerve block because many blocks numb the alveolar nerve. Blocking sensation in the alveolar nerve will numb the teeth, jaw, or lips. But there are many different areas where a dentist or oral surgeon can use anesthesia for a dental procedure.
“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.
The main reason why toothaches are more painful at night is our sleeping position. Laying down causes more blood rush to our heads, putting extra pressure on sensitive areas, such as our mouths. We don't feel that throbbing sensation as much during the day because we're mostly standing or sitting.
Throbbing tooth pain is a sign that you might have tooth damage. Tooth decay or a cavity can give you a toothache. Throbbing tooth pain can also happen if there is an infection in the tooth or in the gums surrounding it. Toothaches are typically caused by an infection or inflammation in the tooth.
The exposure of the dentin tubules can lead to those sharp pains in your teeth, but you can have 24-hour relief with continued use of LISTERINE® Sensitivity. * Relief in two weeks, with continued use.
Signs and symptoms of an infected tooth
Painful throbbing in your tooth, jawbone or near your neck. Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. Sensitivity to the pressure (chewing or biting) Fever.
You may feel toothache in many ways. It can come and go or be constant. Eating or drinking can make the pain worse, particularly if the food or drink is hot or cold. The pain can also be mild or severe.
Treatment for Dental Nerve Pain
One of the most common procedures to relieve pain relating to nerve damage is a root canal. During this procedure, damaged tissue is removed, the interior of the tooth is cleaned, and it's filled with a sterile, sturdy material.
But a common yet clinically neglected dental problem is tooth nerve pain which leads to facial numbness and loss of taste. The cause for such pain is either infection or tooth decay at the tip of the root. This happens when the nerve inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed.
When a person experiences a cavity, it can extend into the structure of the tooth, such as the pulp or nerve, if left untreated. While it is often that tooth experiencing the pain, it can radiate to surrounding teeth as well.
Antibiotics will not cure toothache, they will only mask the problem until you have something done about the tooth itself. They may stop the pain for a few days, weeks or even months, but it will always come back with a vengeance!
Dental Nerves Only Feel Pain
One of the unique characteristics of dental nerves is that they can't feel heat, cold, sweets, touch. They only feel. That's why a toothache hurts so much.