If experiencing a toothache, tooth nerve damage could be the culprit. Tooth nerve pain may be sudden and have the potential of causing disruptions to your everyday life. Dental trauma services can relieve pain and restore your teeth to full functionality, but in the meantime, there are ways to relieve some pain at home.
Columbia Smiles offers dental trauma services as well as general dentistry in our Howard County office. Reach out to Dr. Michael Hsu at 410.690.4855 to schedule an appointment. Find relief from tooth nerve pain today.
Common Tooth Nerve Pain Symptoms
The nerves inside of and around the teeth are highly sensitive. Typically, these nerves are protected by the hard exterior of the teeth. However, they can become exposed by damage or decay, leading to painful, persistent pain. Toothaches caused by nerve pain will need professional attention. Your dentist will diagnose and treat the issue. Some of the causes of tooth nerve pain are obvious, such as a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth. In other instances, decay can cause pain to occur slowly. Some of the most common symptoms of tooth nerve pain include:
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Sensitivity to acidic foods or beverages
- A dull ache along the gum line
- Sharp pain in one tooth
Persistent toothaches can keep you from sleeping and from fulfilling responsibilities at home or at work. Left untreated, tooth nerve pain is likely to continue and become even worse. Eventually, to fully treat the issue, you may need a more invasive procedure, such as a root canal.
What to Do for Tooth Nerve Pain
If you’re experiencing severe pain or have damaged a tooth, reach out to your dentist right away. Some home remedies can provide relief, but they won’t treat the root cause of the pain, which could be related to an injury or wear on your teeth. Your dentist will be able to address the underlying causes of any pain through dental services. If you can’t get to a dentist or are waiting for an appointment, there are a few things you can do:
- 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
- Use an over-the-counter anesthetic – Stop by the pharmacy for a gel that you can apply straight to the teeth, or use clove oil for an all-natural remedy
While some damage to the nerves of the teeth can be the result of an accident or injury, taking care of your teeth and gums through brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly can reduce your risk of toothaches relating to decay. In addition, wearing a mouthguard at night or while playing sports can help you avoid damage.
Contact Columbia Smiles for Tooth Nerve Pain Relief
Columbia Smiles is the premier provider of dental trauma services in the Howard County area. Our award-winning dental practice offers exceptional care and advanced treatments to help relieve pain
If tooth nerve pain has disrupted your life, reach out to our team today. Led by Dr. Michael Hsu, our team can quickly and effectively diagnose any dental issues and help you feel your best.
Schedule an appointment today by calling Columbia Smiles at 410.690.4855 or by connecting with us online.
FAQs
Benzocaine or Lidocaine oral gel: These topical anesthetics can provide temporary relief by numbing the affected area. Apply a small amount directly to the painful tooth and gum area as directed on the packaging.
What calms nerve pain in teeth? ›
Benzocaine or Lidocaine oral gel: These topical anesthetics can provide temporary relief by numbing the affected area. Apply a small amount directly to the painful tooth and gum area as directed on the packaging.
What can I do for unbearable tooth pain? ›
Do
- take painkillers, like ibuprofen or paracetamol (children under 16 should not take aspirin) – a pharmacist can advise you.
- try rinsing your mouth with salt water (children should not try this)
- use a pain-relieving gel for your mouth – this can be bought from pharmacies or supermarkets.
But if the tooth's nerve or pulp is exposed, avoid putting anything too hot or cold near the tooth until you see your dentist. Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve).
How to stop toothache pain fast? ›
There are many toothache remedies to instantly relieve pain, which include cold compresses, hot packs, over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), pain-relieving oral gel, salt water rinse, garlic, peppermint tea bags, clove oil, homemade thyme mouthwash, and acupuncture.
Will tooth nerve pain settle down? ›
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.
How can I sleep with unbearable tooth pain? ›
How to Get Rid of Extreme Tooth Pain at Night
- Rinse with Salt Water. One of the quickest and easiest ways to temporarily alleviate the pain is by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water. ...
- Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers. ...
- Cold Compress. ...
- Elevate Your Head. ...
- Clove Oil. ...
- Peppermint Tea.
If your toothache is not going away despite home management or if it is getting worse, you must contact your dentist. Contact your dentist immediately if you notice any of these signs: Pain while opening the mouth.
Will pulling a tooth stop nerve pain? ›
The nerve inside the tooth becomes irritated, and it sends massive pain signals to the brain. An extraction handles the problem by removing the tooth, including the infected tissue and the nerve that was responsible for the pain.
Why aren't painkillers working for my toothache? ›
If painkillers aren't providing relief, it may be due to the underlying cause of the toothache. Painkillers can temporarily mask the pain but won't treat the root problem. Consult with an emergency dentist to diagnose and address the issue properly.
Pain relief and other medicines can help, as can non-drug treatments such as exercise, acupuncture and relaxation techniques. Your doctor will also treat or manage any underlying conditions such as diabetes and vitamin B12 deficiency.
How do you block a nerve in your tooth? ›
Approach: Insert needle into the mucobuccal fold with the bevel facing bone, aligned with the center of the tooth to be anesthetized, aimed toward the maxilla. Contact the maxilla, then withdraw the needle 1 mm. Aspirate. Slowly inject 1-2 mL of local anesthetic at the apex of the root tip.
Why is the nerve pain in my tooth throbbing? ›
Severe, throbbing pain could mean that infection has invaded your tooth pulp. Sensitivity to heat and cold could indicate a number of things, including cavities, cracks or gum disease. If the pain goes away quickly, it could mean that you have worn enamel.
How do you calm a toothache nerve? ›
Methods To Ease Tooth Nerve Pain
Reduce swelling and nerve pain by taking medication such as ibuprofen. Take it at least 6 hours at a time throughout the day, even if the pain subsides because it can return shortly after. You can consider taking acetaminophen if you don't have ibuprofen.
What can I do if tooth pain is unbearable? ›
How to get immediate tooth pain relief
- Take an over the counter pain reliever. ...
- Swish the mouth with warm salt water. ...
- Apply oils that offer pain relief. ...
- Apply extracts that offer pain relief. ...
- Apply an ice pack to the painful area. ...
- Keep the head elevated.
Take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol. Use an over-the-counter anaesthetic gel, for example Orajel, which you can buy in a pharmacy, to help relieve the pain. Continue to brush and floss your teeth as thoroughly as possible, and rub toothpaste directly onto the sore tooth or area.
How do you treat a tooth nerve? ›
Root canal therapy is used to remove nerves from the pulp of a tooth. It is thought to be very painful but is a pain-relieving treatment. The procedure often referred to as root canal is called endodontic therapy.
Does Orajel work for tooth nerve pain? ›
The specialized formula is designed to target toothache and gum pain directly, offering relief in a matter of minutes. This fast-acting response is invaluable when dealing with sudden dental discomfort.
How to stop electric shock feeling in tooth? ›
Changing Habits: Changing certain habits, such as avoiding acidic foods and beverages, wearing a mouthguard to protect teeth from grinding, or using a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle brushing technique, can help reduce tooth sensitivity.
Can an inflamed tooth nerve heal? ›
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.
