Tooth Nerve Damage: Common Signs To Know

ByEmergency Dentist London

Tooth pain is nobody’s friend, mainly because it will likely make you revisit the dentist. It takes people by surprise, and even the toughest of all bows to it. During the early stages of tooth pain, you may find it painful and difficult to eat your favourite food or even enjoy a cup of ice cream or cold water. As it becomes severe, the pain worsens, and so does the condition.

Many people use over-the-counter medications to alleviate the pain, but many home-based remedies should help relieve it naturally. However, you cannot heal severe tooth pain without getting support from your doctor.

When the case is very severe, your dentist may recommend oral surgery to treat the cause of the pain, which could be nerve damage. If you have tooth pain, don’t waste any more time waiting. Contact your dentist to treat the pain immediately. Waiting longer before getting treatment will make the issue more severe.

How to know tooth nerve damage

Tooth nerve damage is a widespread cause of tooth pain, especially when it’s around the teeth. When the nerves around the tooth become damaged, it makes the tooth very sensitive to movements at any level. It will also be very sensitive to cold and hot temperatures. This makes it very uncomfortable for you to eat most foods.

Tooth nerve pain has two primary causes:

  • Pulpal sensitivity

This type of pain occurs when the nerves around the pulp of one tooth are damaged. This pain usually develops and stays around that one tooth. It may result from tooth decay or a chipped or cracked tooth in most cases. Sometimes, it can develop after having dental work, like a recent tooth filling. This type of tooth sensitivity can also be a result of long-term grinding and clenching of the teeth.

  • Dental sensitivity

This other type of tooth nerve pain affects a more significant part of the mouth instead of just one tooth compared to the other kind. This nerve damage usually occurs if the tooth enamel is damaged, maybe due to a crack or chipped tooth or dental erosion. This eroded enamel allows external stimuli to interact with the nerves of the teeth. This means that when you eat acidic, hot or cold foods, you will experience severe pain all over your mouth.

Another prominent cause of dental sensitivity is the repeated or continuous use of teeth whitening products. Teeth whitening products erode the enamel of the tooth, making it more prone to damage.

What you may feel if your tooth nerve is damaged

The most familiar and initial sign of tooth nerve damage is tooth nerve pain which develops gradually over time. At first, it may just be a dull ache in your mouth, but soon, it becomes more uncomfortable. Treating this pain early can help relieve the discomfort and allow you access to less intensive treatment from your dental surgeon.

You can prevent the development of tooth nerve pain by regularly brushing and flossing your teeth many times a day. However, you should note that some people still experience this pain after having regular dental care.

Since pain around the tooth can signify different problems, the following are the signs of tooth nerve pain

  • Dull pain around your gum line
  • Pain that is centred around a single tooth or your entire mouth
  • Pain or sensitivity that worsens after taking hot, cold or acidic meals

Treatment for tooth nerve pain

Dentists usually employ different treatment options to address tooth nerve pain. However, fillings and root canals are the most common dental procedures used to manage the pain caused by nerve damage.

  • Dental filling

The dental filling is a prevalent type of dental repair in which the dentist fills the damaged tooth with a dental cement of filling. Before carrying out this procedure, the dentist or dental surgeon will numb the surrounding area to remove the decayed part of the tooth. After this, they will use a filling to fill in the area that was damaged. This will prevent the tooth from being stimulated by external stimuli.

  • Root canal

This is an intensive dental procedure, and dentists usually employ it in cases of severely damaged or decayed teeth. For the procedure, the dentist will remove the damaged nerves entirely and the pulp surrounding them. After this, they will clean and seal the area. You will be able to use this tooth as usual after the procedure without experiencing any pain.

Besides these two treatment options, you can manage the tooth nerve pain with special toothpaste for managing tooth sensitivity. Also, having regular dental hygiene is very important for preventing tooth nerve damage and managing its early signs.

Treat tooth nerve damage with Emergency Dentist in London

An emergency dentist in London can help you relieve the pain from tooth nerve damage. Our experts will handle the x-rays and guide you through every step needed to care for and heal the damaged tooth nerve causing your pain.

Contact us for high-quality dental care for tooth nerve damage. Book an appointment with your emergency dentist in London here or call us on 02031376356.