In today’s article we shall talk about tooth nerve pain. This type of pain is not constant and usually triggers after eating or drinking something.
So if you are looking for information as to what is causing tooth nerve pain, how to relieve the pain, and how it is usually treated, among other things, then you are in the right place! We will be answering all those questions and more with the help of Los Algodones dentists.
What causes tooth nerve pain?
For this, we must have to know a little bit of tooth anatomy. The tooth is composed of four distinctive parts:
- Tooth enamel. The tooth enamel is the hard and sturdy outside which allows us to chew down food as well as helps us speak. Thanks to this protective layer is that bacteria and temperature cannot get into the nerves and damage it.
- Dentin. This is a spongy tissue that between the pulp and the enamel. In comparison to our first layer of protection, the dentin is much softer.
- Cementum. The cementum is in charge of protecting the root of the tooth under our gums. Cementum is not as hard as tooth enamel, so plaque has an easier time wearing down this.
- Tooth pulp. Here is where the nerves are at. We feel pressure, changes in temperature and more thanks to this. That’s why it becomes extremely painful when a tooth has been affected by tooth decay, as there is no way to stop everything from going in!
The pain that stems from the tooth nerve stems towards two categories which we will explain shortly.
Two types of tooth nerve pain
There are two types of sensitivity, pulpal and dentinal.
- Pulpal sensitivity is when the tooth nerve pain comes directly from an affected pulp. That is, there is something reaching directly to the tooth pulp. This can be through a chipper, cracked tooth, or through extensive tooth decay or an infection.
- Dentinal sensitivity, on the other hand, is when the problem lies with the tooth itself. It conveys the scenarios where the enamel thins or erodes, or when gums recede and expose the root. This can also happen through the use of whitening and bleaching products, which leave the teeth sensitive for a period of time.
Dealing with tooth nerve pain
Of course we want to get this pain out of the way. In order to accomplish this, it is necessary to schedule a visit with a professional dentist! As it is pretty unlikely for this kind of pain to go away by its own.
What to do to relieve pain before a dental visit
Since it is likely that there has been a breach in the tooth enamel, Los Algodones dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day with desensitizing toothpaste. Switching to a soft-bristled toothbrush is also a good help as other brushes can wear down the tooth enamel.
Moreover, anything that contains fluoride and can help strengthening your teeth is welcome! This includes fluoride toothpaste, fluoride mouth rinses, and drinking tap water.
Treatments available for tooth nerve pain
It always depends on each given sce nario in order to take the best approach. But two of the most common treatments here in Los Algodones are:
- Dental fillings. If the pain stems from a single cavity, then a dental filling will do the trick. The area is cleaned off bacteria and then sealed in order to keep anything to get to the pulp.
- Root canals. This procedure is used when the tooth has been severely compromised. It seeks to remove any infected tissue and decay. The whole tooth pulp is removed and the space is filled up.
