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Tooth nerve pain is nothing different from a regular toothache, but sometimes toothache can be unbearable, and you want to get rid of it as soon as possible. If you ask anyone to describe tooth nerve pain or toothache, they may reply, “It feels like a knife is stabbing me in the tooth; I can't think because of the pain, and I can't do any of my daily activities.”.
People suffering from dental nerve pain want to do whatever it takes to make the pain go away immediately. Is it possible to "kill a tooth's nerve pain in 3 seconds," as the common saying goes? Is this statement just an urban legend?
It is very typical for people with dental nerve pain to want to kill this pain in 3 seconds. However, as with any pain, the main goal in dental nerve pain should be to find and treat the underlying causes of the pain and provide a permanent solution.
Therefore, we have prepared a comprehensive blog post on temporary relief solutions and how to effectively manage and treat dental nerve pain.
What is dental nerve pain, and how do we understand dental nerve pain?
Dental nerve pain is a sharp and severe pain that occurs as a result of stimulation of the nerves inside the tooth due to damage or inflammation of the nerves inside the tooth, etc. To understand dental nerve pain, it will be necessary to know and analyse the following types of pain. Dental nerve pain can manifest itself as any of the following symptoms:
Types of dental nerve pain:
Sharp pain that worsens over time:
Tooth nerve pain can start sharply and suddenly and can intensify from time to time.
Pain in waves:
Tooth nerve pain can sometimes come in waves and last from a few seconds to several minutes.
Severe pain that is constant or increases at night:
Tooth nerve pain can sometimes persist not only during the day but also at night.
Radiating pain:
Tooth nerve pain can sometimes spread to areas such as the jaw, ear, head, neck, or temple.
Increased pain when chewing or pressing on the teeth:
Pain may increase when chewing or pressing on the teeth, especially when eating.
Pain associated with sensitivity to heat and cold:
Tooth nerve pain can be aggravated by contact with hot and cold foods or drinks.
Pain due to inflammation, infection, tooth decay, and gum disease:
When a tooth is damaged or decayed, these nerves can become exposed or inflamed, which can lead to painSigns of infection, such as swelling, redness, or increased temperature around the tooth, or tooth decay and gum disease, can also cause dental nerve pain.
Pain due to fractures or cracks in the tooth:
Cracks or fractures that expose the nerve of the tooth can also cause dental nerve pain.
Pain due to trauma:
Tooth trauma can cause tooth nerve pain and can be severe.
Common causes of dental nerve pain are:
Tooth decay:
As tooth decay deepens and progresses over time, the nerve endings of the teeth are awakened and can cause sharp and severe pain.
Tooth abscess and infection:
When an infection develops inside the tooth, the infection can affect the nerves and surrounding tissues, causing severe pain and symptoms such as swollen gums.
Pulpitis:
When inflammation of the pulp, the soft tissue on the inside of the tooth, occurs, it can affect the dental nerves and often causes intense pain inside the tooth.
Sinus infection:
Sinus infection can cause pain, especially by pressing on the roots of the upper teeth.
Gum recession:
Gum recession can cause the root of the tooth to be exposed. Since the roots of the teeth are close to the nerve endings, this can cause pain when they come into contact with hot, cold, or sweet things.
Bruxism
Involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth can cause the teeth to weaken, crack, or the gums to recede. Pressure on the dental nerves can cause dental nerve pain.
Dental Trauma, broken or fractured teeth:
Trauma to the tooth or cracking or fracturing of the tooth can cause the nerves of the tooth to be exposed, causing dental nerve pain.
Complications after dental treatment:
For example, after filling, root canal treatment, tooth whitening, or tooth extraction, inflammation or sensitisation of the nerves around the tooth can cause temporary or permanent pain.
Is it possible to kill tooth nerve pain in 3 seconds?
The discourse of killing dental nerve pain in 3 seconds is an urban legend far from reality. The reason for this idea is the hope and desire of those suffering from dental nerve pain to urgently eliminate a condition that prevents daily activities and quality of life due to the severity of the pain.
Do not despair. Dental nerve pain can be alleviated with some methods and can often be controlled with early treatment. However, if the pain becomes persistent and aggravated, professional dentist intervention is necessary. Understanding the underlying causes of dental nerve pain is necessary for effective and permanent treatment. When the factor causing dental nerve pain is eliminated and treated, patients can continue their lives painlessly and normally.
Now, let us discuss what you can do at home to relieve dental nerve pain and what can be done by the dentist for treatment.
Home remedies:
Gargle with salt water:
Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and stir. Then rinse this mixed water in your mouth for 20-30 seconds. Gargling with salt water can help reduce infection, soothe inflamed gum tissue, and relieve pain. You can apply this method 2-3 times during the day.
Cold compress:
Put a few pieces of ice in a towel and fold the towel, or buy a ready-made ice pack. By placing a cold compress or ice pack on the cheek near the affected tooth for a few seconds, you can reduce inflammation, temporarily reduce pressure on the nerves, and numb the area, temporarily relieving pain. Do this for a maximum of 20 minutes to avoid any damage to your skin or tissues from excessive exposure to the cold. You can apply this method 2-3 times during the day.
Acupressure:
Also known as needle-free acupuncture, this method is based on distributing the energy density collected in the area by rubbing certain points and relaxing the organs connected to the relevant points in this way. To apply the acupressure method for teeth, apply firm pressure to the fleshy area between your thumb and index finger for a few seconds. This can help relieve toothache by triggering the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.
Massage the sore area:
By gently massaging your gums with your fingertips, you can reduce pressure on the nerves and increase blood circulation to help relieve pain.
Painkillers:
Over-the-counter painkillers can temporarily relieve pain by reducing inflammation and pain.
Clove oil application:
Clove oil, with its eugenol content, acts as a natural anaesthetic, numbing the dental nerves and helping to temporarily relieve pain.
Dilute a teaspoon of clove oil in a tablespoon of olive oil. Then apply some of this mixture to your aching tooth with a cotton ball. You can apply this method several times a day.
Peppermint oil application:
Peppermint oil can relieve pain and reduce pain by having a cooling effect. Dilute a teaspoon of peppermint oil in a tablespoon of olive oil. Then, with a cotton ball, apply some of this mixture to your aching tooth. You can apply this method several times a day.
Aloe vera gel:
If you apply aloe vera gel to the sore area, you can soothe the pain and reduce inflammation in the gums.
Mint or ginger tea:
You can benefit from the cooling effect of mint tea and the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger tea and relieve your pain. To do this, put a tablespoon of mint or ginger in a glass of boiled water and wait 10 minutes. After warming, strain, and you can drink any of these teas 2-3 times a day.
Treatments that can be performed by a dentist:
The methods mentioned above, which can be applied at home to relieve dental nerve pain, may provide temporary relief. However, these methods are not a long-term and permanent solution. An effective and permanent treatment can be performed by a dentist.
The dentist first performs a physical examination of the patient to determine the cause of the nerve pain. He or she then determines the condition of the patient's mouth and teeth with various radiological imaging methods. Considering the patient's pain history, the dentist discusses the treatment options with the patient and decides which treatment will be applied.
The most important methods that the dentist will apply to treat dental nerve pain are the following:
Medication treatment:
The dentist applies medication according to the underlying cause of the dental nerve pain. If you are infected and it is severe, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications orally to control the pain and infection.He may also prescribe painkillers to relieve your pain.
Temporary dental filling:
If an infection or other circumstances prevent immediate root canal treatment, your dentist can alleviate the pain by applying a temporary filling. This procedure is used to relieve pain until root canal treatment can be started.
Root Canal Treatment
Nerve pain is usually caused by infection or inflammation in the pulp of the tooth. In this case, the most common treatment method is endodontic treatment, i.e., root canal treatment.
In root canal treatment, the dentist removes the inflamed or infected nerve tissue inside the tooth and cleans the canals in the roots of the tooth. After the root canal treatment, the dentist places a filling or crown on the tooth.
Apical resection
Root canal treatment is sometimes not enough, and the infection can spread to the root tip of the tooth, and a root tip surgery procedure called apical resection can be performed. In this procedure, the dentist makes a small incision at the root tip of the tooth and removes the infected root tissue.
Cleaning tooth decay:
The dentist can remove wear or decay around the patient's tooth and place a temporary or permanent filling.
Dental crowns:
If the tooth has extensive decay or fractures, a dental crown may be placed over the tooth after it has been cleaned.
Tooth extraction
Tooth extraction is the most undesirable and indicates that there is no further treatment for the tooth, i.e., if the tooth is severely damaged or decayed beyond repair, extraction will remove the cause of the pain. After tooth extraction, the patient will be advised on options such as dental implants or dentures.
When should you see a doctor for dental nerve pain?
If you experience any of the following conditions, you should be examined by a dentist immediately
- If you have persistent or severe pain in your tooth,
- If your tooth is swollen,
- If you have a fever with swelling in your tooth,
- You have difficulty eating or sleeping.
Is laser therapy used for dental nerve pain?
Laser therapy is also used in some dental treatments, for example, to treat problems with the gums or cavities on the outside of the tooth. However, the treatment of dental nerve pain is usually done using more traditional treatments. The laser can be used as an adjunctive treatment because it reduces pain or relieves inflammation by stimulating nerve endings without damaging the tooth tissue. Laser therapy for dental nerve pain is often used as an adjunctive option in combination with other conventional treatment methods and should be evaluated by a dentist.
Laser treatment of dental nerve pain has many advantages. The most important of these advantages are as follows:
- Sensitive treatment
- Minimally Invasive
- Reduced pain and discomfort
- Faster recovery time
- All-round treatment
- Patient comfort.
What are the best tooth maintenance tips for preventing tooth nerve pain?
To prevent dental nerve pain, dental care should be done regularly and correctly. Here are some top dental care tips that can help prevent dental nerve pain:
Brush your teeth regularly:
Brush your teeth properly and regularly at least twice a day, especially after meals. Choose a soft bristled toothbrush.
Avoid aggressive tooth brushing:
Aggressive brushing habits can damage your tooth enamel and lead to dental nerve pain
Use dental floss:
Flossing can remove food particles and plaque buildup trapped between your teeth.
Use antibacterial mouthwash:
Antibacterial mouthwash removes bacteria left in the mouth, reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, and protects the health of your gums.
If you have tooth decay, get it treated:
Tooth decay or cavity formation can travel up to the dental nerves and cause pain. If you notice any signs of tooth decay, contact your dentist immediately to get it treated.
If you have a habit of clenching your teeth, get it treated:
Teeth clenching or grinding habits can damage your tooth enamel and lead to nerve pain. You can use a nightguard to prevent such habits.
Use mouth guards against dental trauma:
You can protect your teeth against impact and prevent damage by wearing a mouth guard to protect your teeth, especially when playing sports.
Avoid acidic or sugary foods and drinks:
Acidic or sugary foods and drinks can damage the tooth enamel, and the tooth becomes closer to the dental nerves and can lead to pain.
Do not overstrain your teeth:
Avoid using your teeth for actions such as cutting or opening any objects, and avoid straining your teeth.
Avoid using tobacco:
Tobacco use can lead to dental nerve pain by increasing the risk of bacterial infection in the mouth.
See a dentist regularly:
Regular check-ups with the dentist help to detect tooth and gum problems early. If tooth decay or infections are treated at an early stage, the risk of dental nerve pain is reduced.
F.A.Q:
How long does it take to kill a tooth nerve?
The time it takes for the nerve to die can vary from a few days to several weeks or even months.
Does the tooth die when the dentist kills the nerve?
Even if the dentist kills the nerve and removes the pulp, it does not kill the tooth. After a successful root canal treatment, the tooth can function normally; you just won't feel anything.
How does an exposed nerve feel?
An exposed dental nerve often causes pain and especially triggers tooth sensitivity.
What is the most effective method to relieve dental nerve pain in a very short time?
Oral gels such as benzocaine or lidocaine are topical anaesthetics and can provide fast and temporary relief from dental nerve pain. If you apply a small amount of these gels directly to the tooth and the surrounding gums and painful area, the numbing effect can relieve your dental nerve pain very quickly.