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.
How Long Does Nerve Pain Last in A Tooth? 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.
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.
Ice packs or cold compress
Applying an ice pack on the cheek around the painful tooth can help ease pain and swelling. You can do this by wrapping some ice in a towel and keeping it on the cheek for about 15 minutes. Similarly, you can try holding some ice water in your mouth for a few seconds.
Tooth nerve pain is unlikely to go away completely by itself. For long-term relief, make a dental appointment and discuss your symptoms with your dentist. To treat a cracked tooth he can apply a crown—unless the crack is complex, in which case you may need root canal therapy.
While most nerve damage is always accidental, negligence by a dentist during a dental procedure can also result in dental nerve damage. With treatment, dental nerve damage can heal in six to eight weeks.
Tooth Sensitivity or Pain – As the nerves that lead to a dying tooth begin to die away, they may become extra sensitive, causing you a tooth ache or sensitivity to hot or cold foods. You may experience pain while chewing at or around the site of the dead tooth.
This inflammation produces pain from stimuli such as cold, heat, pressure and chewing, or even continuous pain.
How does pulpal pain, or “nerve pain”, occur in a tooth? A toothache that can be described as an 8 to an 11 out of 10 would usually be caused by pulpal pain. It will likely be hot and cold sensitive, worsened with pressure, and give a severe ache. The primary source of this tooth pain is pulpal infection.
This type of nerve pain in teeth occurs when the tooth enamel (the outermost layer of the tooth) is damaged or eroded away resulting in exposed dentin tubules or channels. These tubules connect to the nerves in the pulp. External stimuli such as heat, cold, and acid, stimulate these tubules resulting in sensitivity.
Studies have shown that antibiotics do very little to treat pain. Instead of relieving pain, they are treating bacterial infections, killing the source of infection. They are great medications. However, overuse will create resistance, which is what the ADA is trying to avoid.
The short answer is no, a tooth that needs a root canal cannot heal itself naturally. The long answer is fairly straightforward. The infected tissue inside a tooth cannot heal by itself and will only get worse over time if left untreated.
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. It may feel "sharp" and start suddenly.
You'll likely experience intense pain once the decay has reached the pulp. A dying tooth may be identified during a routine dental appointment that includes X-rays.
Determining the risk of nerve damage with proper imaging is critical. A panorex and CBCT scan is done to determine the level of risk during an extraction. If a tooth is considered high risk then a coronectomy is indicated. A coronectomy is the removal of the entire crown of the third molar, leaving the roots in place.
Root canal therapy is recommended when teeth can be saved with treatment, while an extraction is performed when the tooth's structure is too damaged, or a crack goes beneath the gum's surface, not leaving enough structure for stability or use after the repair.
Nerve Damage Does Not Heal Itself…
Unlike most physical injuries where rest helps to heal, this isn't the same for tooth nerve damage.
To achieve full recovery, the nerve must undergo three main processes: Wallerian degeneration (the clearing process of the distal stump), axonal regeneration, and end-organ reinnervation.
Amoxicillin is one of the first antibiotics recommended for the treatment of a tooth infection. It has shown to be widely effective and have fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to other options. Antibiotics do not relieve pain directly, but pain may be reduced as the infection is knocked out by the antibiotic.
Commonly prescribed opioid medications for relief of dental pain include hydrocodone, oxycodone, and acetaminophen with codeine. (Visit the Drugs, Herbs, and Supplements database from NIH's MedlinePlus for generic and brand names of medications.)
“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.
Unfortunately, it also means that irritating tooth nerves causes pain. High and low temperatures and acidic and sugary foods irritate the nerves in your teeth. Allow hot food to cool before eating and avoid ice cream, ice cubes and other very cold or chilled foods.
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. You may also experience pain as a result of touch that would not normally be painful, such as something lightly brushing your skin.