Stage Four tooth decay causes significant pain because the dentine is richly supplied with nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. To stop your pain and clear the infection it is likely your dentist will perform a root canal treatment.
The fifth stage of tooth decay is the final and most painful stage. Once the infection reaches the root of your tooth, the conjoining bones in the area also risk infection. Your gums and tongue may also swell, affecting speech and leaving you at risk for other diseases.
Cavity pain can range from mild to unbearable. When a cavity eats away at the enamel of a tooth, a person might find that it is more sensitive, especially when brushing the teeth or drinking hot or cold beverages. Cavities that cause deeper damage in the tooth can affect the nerve, causing intense pain.
Check if you have tooth decay
But if it gets worse it can lead to problems, such as a hole forming in the tooth (dental cavity). If you have a hole in your tooth you may have: toothache (tooth pain) sharp pain in your tooth when eating or drinking hot, cold or sweet things (sensitive teeth)
When Is a Toothache a Dental Emergency? If you have a toothache that lasts more than 1-2 days and is causing you a lot of pain or discomfort, you're having a dental emergency. This usually indicates an advanced cavity or an infected tooth. Without proper care, your condition will only get worse.
Bacteria will eventually get to exposed soft tissues in the pulp chamber when the decay is left untreated. This leads to an infection, which leads to excruciating toothaches. A tooth infection can spread to areas like the brain where it can be life-threatening.
Abscess Formation
In this final stage of tooth decay, bacteria get inside the decaying pulp, which typically leads to infection. Eventually, an abscess may form at the bottom of your tooth, causing severe pain that can spread to the rest of your mouth, gums, face, and jaw.
How Long Can You Delay Treatment on a Cavity Still in the Enamel? In some cases, early signs of tooth erosion in the enamel can be successfully treated with fluoride toothpaste or surface filling materials. But once an actual cavity forms, dentists usually recommend treating it within a year.
Use an over-the-counter anesthetic specifically designed to soothe painful teeth. Use warm water to brush your teeth. Use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. Thoroughly clean all parts of your mouth and teeth — don't avoid painful areas.
“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.
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.
Like most ailments, the longer you leave a cavity without treatment, the worse it's going to get. In a span of 3-6 months cavities can reach the nerve of your tooth.
Every Cavity Is Different. The time it takes for a cavity to form varies. It can, on average, take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity requires treatment. The length of time it takes will vary on a case-by-case basis because the conditions of your mouth differ daily.
If tooth decay has spread to the pulp (in the centre of the tooth, containing blood and nerves) – this may be removed in a process known as root canal treatment. If the tooth is so badly damaged that it can't be restored – it may need to be removed.
Decay can deteriorate our teeth and over time if not treated, the teeth can become loose and even fall out. Decay damages teeth and can cause dental abscesses that can become serious if not treated.
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.
The best treatment for a rotten tooth depends on the time of diagnosis or if a cavity has formed. Doctors usually recommend brushing with fluoride toothpaste or getting fluoride treatments during the early stages.
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.
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.
Do I Need to Go to the Emergency Room for Tooth Pain? The short answer is that you should go based on how you feel. If you have excruciating tooth pain that you can't take for a second longer or prolonged, excessive mouth bleeding that you can't get under control, you may need to head to the emergency room.
Having an exposed nerve in your tooth is often an agonizing experience, with severe, sharp pain from eating, brushing, or merely brushing against the tooth with your tongue. It's a problem for a qualified emergency dentist to address.