Dental Nerves Only Feel Pain One of the unique characteristics of dental nerves is that they can't feel heat, cold, sweets, touch. They only feel. That's why a toothache hurts so much.
Why is my toothache so painful? The pulp inside your tooth is soft material filled with nerves, tissues and blood vessels. These pulp nerves are among the most sensitive in your body. When these nerves are irritated or infected by bacteria (abscess), they can cause severe pain.
A sudden toothache can be completely debilitating. It can cause excruciating pain, alarming facial swelling, and can even be accompanied by flu-like symptoms if left untreated. It is little wonder then that 20% of all people who suffer toothache have to take time off work or school.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not well-suited for tooth pain because is not an NSAID and will not reduce inflammation that causes your pain. 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.
If your pain medication isn't working, call your health care provider. Remember: Don't change the dosage without talking to your health care provider. Don't abruptly stop taking your medication.
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.
“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.
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.
Apply a cold compress to the aching tooth for 10 to 15 minutes to help numb the area. If your tooth is too sensitive, you can apply the ice to the outside of your mouth near the tooth.
In fact, even some women agree that tooth pain could be worse than giving birth. So yeah, it's pretty rough.
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.
You should only go to the hospital if the circumstances are very serious. This could be if you are in severe pain (9-10), if heavy bleeding occurs or if you have suffered a head injury. If you're in doubt whether to rock up at the A&E or not, call the NHS 111 helpline.
Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and generic) and naproxen (Aleve and generic), work particularly well against dental pain because they block the enzyme that causes your gums to become red and swollen, says Paul A.
Ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen are all effective pain killers—though one study suggests that ibuprofen is more effective against toothaches. To find fast relief from toothache pain, take one of these over-the-counter remedies as prescribed on the bottle.
Tablets come in 500 mg and an adult can take 2 tablets(1000 mg) four times a day. This is a maximum dose of 8 tablets per day. Paracetamol is generally safe for most people. However, it is very important you do not take more than the recommended daily amount.
Ideally you should seek treatment from a dentist in an emergency, however if unable to see a dentist, a hospital emergency department may be able to provide the treatment needed to save the tooth.
An emergency room is the only facility that has the necessary equipment and personnel to handle the abscessed tooth and contain any widespread infection. Here, a CT scan can be done to establish the spread of the infection in addition to one being taken to the operating room to undergo oral incision and drainage.
Leaving an infection to spread to your facial bones may eventually necessitate surgical removal to stop it. Even in minor cases, a tooth infection can cause the bone structures of your jaw to weaken, making it hard to support your teeth.
Severe Pain.
When it intensifies to level 8, pain makes even holding a conversation extremely difficult and your physical activity is severely impaired. Pain is said to be at level 9 when it is excruciating, prevents you speaking and may even make you moan or cry out. Level 10 pain is unbearable.
With opioid tolerance, the body has developed a tolerance for the opioid and needs more and more of it to get the same amount of pain relief. In cases when an opioid tolerance is developing, the patient may feel an increase in pain when the medication dosage has remained steady.
Taking ibuprofen with other painkillers
It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine. But do not take ibuprofen with similar painkillers like aspirin or naproxen without talking to a pharmacist or doctor.
Severe dental pain – If you are in severe dental pain an emergency dental appointment could provide the necessary care to relieve your dental pain. Uncontrolled Bleeding from the mouth – Uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth is considered a dental emergency and you should see your dentist as soon as possible.