The nerves in your teeth are the sensitive area that lies within the pulp. Sensitivity and tooth nerve pain are a common sign that you may need to book an emergency dentist appointment for the correct tooth pain relief and treatments to rectify the issue at hand.
What Causes Tooth Nerve Pain?
Causes of nerve pain in the teeth are typically the result of exposure; if your tooth is cracked, chipped, or broken, you are likely to experience increased sensitivity and pain.
This type of dental issue can be separated into two categories: Dentinal Sensitivity and Pulpal Sensitivity. Your emergency dentist will identify what type of issue you are experiencing in order to determine the correct course of action to treat the problem and provide tooth pain relief
Dentinal Sensitivity
Dentinal sensitivity describes widespread nerve pain in the teeth. This is often the result of both external factors and wear and tear to the teeth, including:
- Damaged or eroded enamel
- Excessive use of teeth whitening products
- Consuming hot, cold, or acidic food and drinks
- Receding gums
- Untreated cavities
- Brushing your teeth too hard
These factors can increase your likelihood of experiencing tooth nerve pain. However, there are a number of tooth pain relief options for dentinal sensitivity.
Pulpal Sensitivity
Pulpal sensitivity refers to pain that is focused on one individual tooth. If you are experiencing this type of tooth nerve pain then it is likely that your pulp is being affected.
The cause of pulpal sensitivity and nerve pain include:
- Cracked, chipped or broken teeth
- Tooth infection or tooth decay
- Recent dental fillings
- Damage and pressure caused by grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw
It is essential that you visit an emergency dentist if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms. If left untreated, exposed damage can worsen and may result in more significant treatments being required.
Treatments for Tooth Sensitivity and Nerve Pain
Fortunately, there are many tooth pain relief options for tooth sensitivity! Depending on the cause of your pain, an emergency dentist will provide suitable treatment; in the interim there are also some home tooth pain relief remedies you can implement until your dental appointment.
Fillings: Dental fillings are the most common treatment for tooth nerve pain. Simply put, if sensitivity is caused by cavities then an emergency dentist will clean any decay and fill the hole to protect your tooth from further damage.
Root Canal: A root canal is another common option. This treatment will be performed if the damaged tooth is severely decaying or infected. The damaged nerve and pulp will be removed from the tooth, then the area will be cleaned and sealed to provide effective tooth pain relief and restore your healthy smile.
Extraction: An emergency dentist will identify if a tooth extraction is required. Typically this treatment is performed when a tooth is extremely damaged, infected or decayed beyond repair. The area will be numbed and the tooth will be removed, with the gum cleaned and sealed so you can safely continue with your day to day life free from dental pain.
Home Remedies: Home tooth pain relief remedies won’t cure the cause of the problem, but can help to relieve sensitivity in the moment! Home remedies for toothache include: salt water rinses, over the counter pain relief (follow care instructions), and ice packs to reduce swelling. Find out more about home remedies for dental pain.