Yes, a dead tooth often stops hurting as the nerve dies, but this isn't good news; the pain disappears because the nerve is gone, not because the problem is solved, and it can lead to serious issues like infection and abscesses, requiring prompt dental treatment even if pain-free. The initial pain comes from the dying nerve, but once it's completely dead, pain often subsides, though bacteria can then thrive, causing discoloration, swelling, bad breath, and potential bone loss, making a dentist visit crucial.
There are two treatment options when a nerve dies in your tooth: extraction or root canal therapy. Your general dentist might perform a root canal or refer you to a specialist called an endodontist.
Addressing a dead tooth promptly is crucial for maintaining both your oral health and overall well-being. Leaving a dead tooth untreated can lead to severe complications, from infections to systemic health issues, all of which can be avoided with timely care.
The 3-3-3 rule for toothache is a temporary pain management strategy: take 3 ibuprofen (200mg each) three times a day for 3 days, but 3 hours apart (or every 8 hours), to reduce inflammation and pain until you can see a dentist; it's crucial to consult a doctor first, especially with underlying conditions, as it's not a cure but a short-term fix for inflammation.
Since this is where the nerves are located, decay that makes it to this part of the tooth causes significant pain. Left untreated, the decay will eventually damage the nerves to the point where they stop sending pain signals to the brain. This is why a toothache may seem to disappear out of nowhere.
The timeline depends on the cause and severity of damage. For minor decay, the nerve may take weeks to die. For severe trauma or infection, it could die within days.
Highly decayed teeth often need to be extracted to provide pain relief and to prevent the tooth's root from being irreparably damaged. When a tooth that has significant decay is extracted, patients can replace the decayed tooth with a crown, bridge or dental implant.
According to acupressure, gently pressing the area between your thumb and index finger (called the Hegu or LI4 point) may help reduce toothache pain temporarily. However, this should not replace professional dental care.
Consider taking a pain reliever you can buy without a prescription to dull the ache. But don't place aspirin or another painkiller directly against your gums because it may burn your gum tissue. If the toothache is caused by trauma to the tooth, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek.
What Side to Sleep on With a Toothache? As sleeping with toothache can turn bedtime into a nightly battle, sleep on the side opposite the aching tooth. This position keeps pressure off the painful area. If pain affects both sides, sleep on your back with your head propped up.
If the tooth in question suffers from a dead nerve, the technical term for this is a 'pulpless tooth' or 'necrotic pulp'. If this does happen, the tooth will actually fall out by itself.
Simple Extraction: Typically ranges from $75 to $250. Surgical Extraction: Usually costs between $150 and $650. Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Can range from $120 to $800 per tooth, depending on complexity and whether the tooth is impacted.
The tooth is causing persistent pain or infection that does not improve with root canal therapy. A fracture extends below the gum line, making restoration impossible. There is severe decay, leaving little to no healthy tooth structure.
Dental Nerve: How to Stop Tooth Pain Fast
Electric pulp testing: In this test, an instrument delivers a small electrical pulse to your tooth. If you can feel the stimulation, your pulp is alive. In pulp necrosis, you won't feel the electrical pulse. Heat or cold test: This involves touching your teeth with a hot or cold substance.
If the external structures of the tooth are minimally damaged or can be restored using filling materials, then yes, a crown can be placed on a dead tooth.
Signs Your Toothache Could Be a Serious Emergency
To stop nerve pain immediately, topical lidocaine or capsaicin creams/patches can provide quick numbing relief, while prescription options like anti-seizure drugs (gabapentin) or strong painkillers (tramadol) offer faster but not always instant relief; gentle stretches, TENS, and relaxation techniques can also help manage acute flare-ups by blocking pain signals or relaxing muscles.
When a toothache won't go away with painkillers, it often means that the pain is being caused by an underlying infection or nerve inflammation that over-the-counter medication can't resolve. Painkillers only block pain signals temporarily — they don't remove the source of the problem.
The 3-3-3 rule for toothache is a temporary pain management strategy: take 3 ibuprofen (200mg each) three times a day for 3 days, but 3 hours apart (or every 8 hours), to reduce inflammation and pain until you can see a dentist; it's crucial to consult a doctor first, especially with underlying conditions, as it's not a cure but a short-term fix for inflammation.
Here are some herbs traditionally used in Chinese medicine to help with toothaches: Clove (Ding Xiang): Known for its numbing effect, clove oil can be applied directly to the tooth to relieve pain. Licorice Root (Gan Cao): Used for its anti-inflammatory properties, it can help reduce swelling and pain.
Extreme cold can numb your gums and the root of the painful tooth to provide temporary respite from discomfort. You can try wrapping ice in a towel and pressing it to the affected area for 15 minutes at a time. Alternatively, you could hold ice water in your mouth for several seconds at a time.
Another reason why dentists refuse to extract your tooth and convince you of the more expensive option is that when they pull your tooth out, the other teeth will shift. It would eventually harm your everyday functions, such as eating and smiling.
Molars: Particularly the third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, are often the most challenging and painful to extract. Their location at the back of the mouth, proximity to nerves, and the potential for being impacted (not fully erupted) contribute to the complexity of their removal.
A persistent toothache is often the first sign of tooth decay. Tooth pain can vary from mild discomfort to sharp, severe pain, and it can occur spontaneously or in response to certain stimuli such as eating or drinking.