Take over-the-counter pain relief medication such as Ibuprofen. Gargle with salt water rinse to disinfect the area and reduce inflammation. Use a cold compress to temporarily numb the surrounding area, reducing pain and swelling.
Treatment includes pharmacologic medications which suppress nerve activity. The common medications used for atypical odontalgia and phantom tooth pain include gabapentin, tricyclics, topical anesthetics, and opioids.
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.
With our teeth, it's the same thing. It has the outer layer, which is the enamel, the middle layer, which is called the dentin, and then the inner layer, which is called the nerve. So anytime that nerve is affected, it is really, really, really painful. That throbby pain that you talk about, that you can't do anything.
Nerve Damage Does Not Heal Itself…
Unlike most physical injuries where rest helps to heal, this isn't the same for tooth nerve damage. There may be times where a dentist could identify techniques to reverse minor nerve pain, but only when there is mild inflammation.
Throbbing tooth pain that comes and goes can indicate tooth damage. A toothache can also be due to cavity or tooth decay. A person is also likely to experience throbbing tooth pain in the presence of tooth infection or inflammation, called pulpitis.
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.
Jiache translates as jawbone. This acupoint is halfway between the corner of the mouth and the bottom of the earlobe. To find the jiache, a person should clench their jaw and feel for the muscles that flex in the cheeks. Applying pressure here may relieve toothache and swelling and decrease pain or spasms in the jaw.
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.
Apply a cold compress to your cheek or jaw. Take an over-the-counter pain medication, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and aspirin can relieve minor pain. Numbing gels or pastes, such as benzocaine, can help to dull the pain.
There's no way to know how long your toothache will last. It depends on the underlying cause. For instance, if you have temporary gum irritation, it should go away on its own in a day or two. But if you have a cavity or abscess, the pain may come and go somewhat, but it won't go away completely.
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.
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.
Severe, throbbing tooth pain is a serious cause for concern. It may be caused by a broken tooth or untreated advanced gum disease (periodontitis) that has exposed your tooth's roots or nerves. Untreated tooth decay can also wear down your enamel so badly that it exposes the pulp layer within your tooth.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Try using the 3-3-3 method: taking 3 ibuprofen, 3 times a day, for 3 days. Make sure to keep taking it even if you start to feel better, as the goal is to reduce inflammation in addition to the pain. In addition, you may ice the area, keep your head elevated, and rinse with salt water three-to-five times a day.
Ice the area: Icing the area can relieve pain and numb the nerves. Put one or two ice cubes in a plastic bag and lay the ice on the aching area or outside the cheek that covers the tooth. Do not use a heating pack to sooth the tooth and do not eat or drink sweet foods and drinks if they increase your pain.