Most of us have experienced the excruciating, unbearable pain of a tooth that seems impossible to ignore. In many cases, this intense discomfort is a sign of an exposed nerve in tooth. This dental issue requires immediate and prompt attention to prevent further complications and potential damage.
In this blog, we will explore the causes of nerve exposure, common symptoms to help you in earlier detection in addition to all available treatments. Moreover, we will provide some useful tips to prevent nerve exposure.
What is a Tooth Nerve? Understanding Teeth Anatomy
Humans teeth consists of different layers:
- The hard outer layer called enamel is responsible for protecting the rest of the layers, working as a strong wall.
- Beneath the enamel there is the dentin; a softer layer that works as an insulation substance that forms the bulk of the tooth.
- Deep within the dentin is the dental pulp; a sensitive, soft tissue containing blood vessels and nerves.
The Function of The Nerve
Nerves nourishe the tooth and are responsible for transmitting sensations of hot, cold, and pressure to your brain.
This soft nerve is crucial in keeping a healthy tooth, allowing you to differentiate between biting into an apple or having a sip of a hot coffee, preventing damage from extreme temperatures. Moreover, the nerve is able to detect potential dental issues, alerting you through pain to seek dental intervention.
What Causes Nerve Exposure?
Several reasons can lead to expose your nerve, including:
- Tooth Decay: sometimes cavities cause bacteria that if aren’t dealt with promptly will damage the enamel moving to dentin, and eventually reaching the vulnerable pulp and nerve.
- Dental Trauma: accidents that lead to tooth cracks can expose the underlying dentin and nerve.
- Gum Disease: Untreated gum disease can lead to gum recession, exposing the tooth root surface and potentially making the pulp and nerve beneath vulnerable.
- Cracked fillings: dental fillings may get damaged by time due to poor dental care or wear and tear. This could expose your nerve, leading to an unbearable exposed nerve in tooth pain and sensitivity.
- Failed Dental Procedures: In some minor cases, some previous dental work can cause complications, causing nerve damage or exposure.
Exposed Nerve in Tooth Symptoms
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- Pain and Sensitivity: One of the primary and most common symptoms is an intense, unbearable pain in the affected tooth, most likely this pain is persistent and often will increase when consuming cold, hot, or sweet foods and drinks.
- Swelling and Redness: alongside the intense pain, you may experience gum inflammation around the infected and exposed nerve, often you will also notice redness. This 90% indicates nerve exposure and potential infection.
- Bad Breath: Dead or infected tissue in the exposed pulp can lead to persistent bad breath.
- Visible Cracks: A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth often exposes the underlying dentin and nerve.
- Bad taste: sometimes the infected nerve can cause a bad, irritating taste that doesn’t go away even with extra oral hygiene.
Best Treatment Options For an Exposed Nerve
Based on the severity of your infection, your dentist will decide the suitable treatment you need, these treatments include:
- Dental fillings: These are suitable solutions for mild cases with less tooth damage. A dental composite filling can successfully seal the exposed area, ultimately protecting the nerve
- Root Canal Treatment: In case the infection has reached the pulp, Root Canal Treatment will be a must. This dental procedure will effectively remove the infected pulp tissue and seal of the tooth, preventing future infections.
- Dental crowns: In extremely damaged cases or after root canals, dentists utilize crowns to further protect the tooth nerve and restore the functionality and aesthetics of the tooth.
- Tooth extraction: This solution is the last one for severe cases with significant infection that respond to any of the previous treatments. In this case, extraction is the only effective solution.
Home Remedies for Exposed Nerve Pain
- Saltwater rinse: use the salt solution. Mix a teaspoon of salt and dissolve it in warm water. Swish this solution in your mouth to reduce swelling.
- Clove oil: Use a cotton pad to apply a small amount of clove oil to the affected tooth. Clove oil is well-known for its numbing features.
- Cold Ice: Apply an ice pack or a cold compress to your cheek to alleviate pain and minimize swelling
. - Peppermint tea bags: Apply cool, wet peppermint tea bags to the impacted area for a few moments. Peppermint possesses calming qualities that can aid in pain relief and diminish swelling.
- Hydrogen peroxide mouthwash: Mix equal volumes of hydrogen peroxide and water, and use this as a mouthwash following teeth brushing. This blend can assist in eliminating bacteria and lessening inflammation within the mouth.
These home-remedies are effective. However, you cannot use these remedies as a permanent solution and ignore visiting your dentist as untreated nerves can lead to complications that might even affect your overall health. It is always the best option to consult your dentist.
How to Prevent Exposed Nerve in Tooth: 4 Helpful Tips
- Proper oral hygiene: Brush your teeth a minimum of two times each day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Additionally, daily flossing is important to eliminate plaque and food particles that accumulate between your teeth and at the gum line.
- Regular dental check-ups: Visit your dentist regularly to detect and identify any early signs of tooth decay or damage before they worsen.
- Avoiding excessive force: Be cautious while biting hard objects or candies. These items can easily crack your teeth and expose the nerves.
- Acidic foods and beverages limitation: Try to avoid acidic food as it can weaken tooth enamel over time, making it more vulnerable to decay and nerve exposure.
El-Shenawy Dental Clinics: Driving Excellence in Dental Care
At El-Shenawy dental clinics, we are fully aware how discomforting it is when you have an exposed nerve in tooth. With over a decade of expertise, our compassionate and experienced team of dentists is committed to delivering swift and efficient dental care to ease your discomfort and bring back your oral well-being using the latest advanced technology in the field.
If you experience any signs of an exposed nerve or any dental issue, feel free to contact us to schedule your consultation with El-shwnawy dental centres today. You can reach out through our hotline number 19348
