Applying a cold compress such as an ice pack against the cheek of the affected area can blunt the tooth nerve pain temporarily. Take a cold compress and place it against the affected area for 20 minutes at a time.
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.
On average, a tooth nerve pain can last from as little as just a few days to as long as 4-6weeks or, in some instances, even longer. Considering the numbness ad sharp pain that may occur with a tooth nerve, you have to do what you can to get rid of the pain as soon as possible.
Depending on the cause of your tooth nerve pain, there are several possible dental procedures that can solve the problem. Two of the most common procedures for tooth nerve pain are fillings and root canals. Fillings: If you have tooth nerve pain caused by a simple cavity, a filling is the most common dental repair.
Causes of Tooth Nerve Pain
Pulp sensitivity or pain results from a tooth infection or decay, recent tooth filling, pressure from bruxism, and dental trauma like chips, cracks, and breaks. Dentinal sensitivity is nerve pain that generally happens when the tooth's enamel is damaged or eroded.
Nerve Damage Does Not Heal Itself…
There may be times where a dentist could identify techniques to reverse minor nerve pain, but only when there is mild inflammation. When symptoms are minor and the root of the tooth is exposed, a dental filling is considered by the dentist.
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.
Nerve damage may be temporary and can take up to 6 months to heal, however in severe cases, the nerve damage after extracting a wisdom tooth can be permanent.
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.
The distance from the surface of a tooth to the nerve inside ranges from less than a millimeter to about one-quarter of an inch depending on the type of tooth. As bacterial acid in the mouth dissolves the enamel surface of the tooth it causes a growing opening which is called a cavity.
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!
It is thought that acupressure may help relieve toothache by: changing how the brain perceives and processes pain signals from the nerves. reducing heart rate, blood pressure, and epinephrine in the body. releasing the chemical adenosine, which relaxes the central nervous system.
Signs and symptoms of a tooth abscess include: Severe, constant, throbbing toothache that can spread to your jawbone, neck or ear. Pain or discomfort with hot and cold temperatures. Pain or discomfort with the pressure of chewing or biting.
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.
If you have throbbing tooth pain that comes and goes, you may be in the early stages of tooth decay or gum disease. While tooth pain may come and go, it's especially important to see your dentist right away if your tooth pain is accompanied by fever or facial swelling.
When the nerve is severely inflamed by bacterial from deep cavities, a root canal removes the living portion of the tooth and does kill the nerve. This is only done when the tooth nerve is beyond healing and cannot repair itself.
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.
Nerve pain often feels like a shooting, stabbing or burning sensation. Sometimes it can feel as sharp and sudden as an electric shock. You may be very sensitive to touch or cold.
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.
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.