Nerve Pain in Tooth in Sparks, NV: Fast Relief and Long-Term Solutions
Having nerve pain in your tooth can be one of the most agonizing experiences in oral health. Whether it’s mild sensitivity to hot tea or cold drinks or it’s a constant stabbing, throbbing feeling in your tooth, in many instances, nerve pain should not be ignored.
But when is tooth pain normal and when is it something more serious? When can your pain be dealt with at home and when should you see a dentist? What are common causes, and what are signs you shouldn’t ignore?
Absolute Dental is committed not only to providing dental services of the highest quality but to educating our community about oral health issues. Below, you’ll find answers to these questions and more.
If you’re in Sparks, and you have nerve pain in your tooth, call Absolute Dental today and schedule an appointment.
Call (844) 8-SMILE-NOW or fill out the form to make an appointment today!
While the outer part of your teeth, called the enamel, is hard, the inside of your teeth is soft. This is called dentin, and dentin contains nerve endings. Pain happens when this tissue or these nerves become irritated, damaged, or there is another problem.
There are multiple types of tooth nerve pain. On the lower end of the spectrum, your teeth might be sensitive when eating very cold things or very hot ones. For example, you might feel pain when biting into an ice cream cone or taking the first drink of hot coffee.
This type of sensitivity is generally normal and, unless it interferes significantly with your life, can be dealt with at home. Unlike temporary nerve sensitivity, true nerve pain often lasts for more than just a few moments.
However, for some people, nerve pain may be constant, last multiple days, and occurs without any obvious trigger. Because this can be indicative of a serious underlying issue, you should have this checked out at your dentist as soon as possible so the exact cause can be determined.
Dentinal vs. Pulpal Sensitivity
In general, there are two types of tooth sensitivity — dentinal sensitivity and pulpal sensitivity.
Dentinal sensitivity is usually caused by a problem with the tooth enamel or gums. In some cases, dental enamel can be worn down, exposing the sensitive pulp within, causing pain. The gums may also recede, exposing the tooth root, which can likewise be painful. In other cases, injuries to the teeth can expose these sensitive areas.
Regarding pulpal sensitivity, this generally means the problem originates in the pulp of the teeth, rather than an issue with the enamel. This type of pain is often severe, long-lasting, and often has an underlying cause, such as infection or other sensitivity.
For prompt tooth nerve pain treatment in Sparks that can ease your pain fast, as well as fix underlying problems, call Absolute Dental today. (844) 8‑SMILE‑NOW (844) 876‑4536
With this offer, there’s no excuse not to get back on track! Schedule a complete exam and x-rays for only $39 and ensure you have a beautiful healthy smile.
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Common Causes of Tooth Nerve Pain
The most common cause of tooth nerve pain is tooth decay, also known as a cavity. With a cavity, the enamel of the teeth has been damaged by bacteria and their byproducts, exposing the vulnerable and sensitive pulp within. If the cavity is small to moderately sized, this can usually be fixed with a tooth filling.
Another common cause is gum recession, potentially due to gum disease. When the gums pull away from the teeth, this can expose the tooth root to the environment and to bacteria, causing pain, as the root doesn’t have the protective enamel of the crown.
Injuries to the teeth are another common cause of pain. Even small cracks can expose sensitive tooth pulp. Teeth grinding, especially at night, can cause small fractures, as well as other trauma, such as falls, sports injuries, and auto accidents.
Signs and Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
While occasional sensitivity when eating or drinking at extreme temperatures is generally not a problem, unless it is negatively affecting your life, there are some symptoms you shouldn’t ignore because they might be representative of a larger problem.
If you have:
Tooth pain that is particularly severe
Tooth pain that is worsening
Pain when chewing or biting
Signs of an infection, including swelling, redness, or fever
An abscess near the tooth (they often look like a pimple)
Facial or gum swelling
Discoloration of the tooth, especially darkening
Pain that interferes with sleeping or eating
You should see a dentist immediately. These issues can be indications that you have a serious condition, such as an infection or nerve damage.
Immediate Pain Relief at Home (Short-Term Only)
While most home remedies can’t fix the underlying issues causing tooth pain, there are a few things you can do to temporarily ease your pain.
The first thing you can try is taking over-the-counter pain medication as directed. You can also rinse your mouth out with a saltwater solution, which can help keep your mouth clean and reduce inflammation.
For severe pain, you can also try a cold compress on the outside of the cheek. Absolute Dental also offers same-day emergency appointments in Sparks to get you relief fast.
For mild pain associated with eating, you can try avoiding trigger foods and using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.
We Accept Most Dental Insurance
Absolute Dental is a preferred provider for most insurances, unions, and hotels that include: Aetna, Ameritas, Boon-Chapman, Caesars Palace, Cigna, Delta Dental, Diversified, Geha, Guardian, Harrah’s, HealthSCOPE Benefits, Health Plan of Nevada (HPN), Humana, Liberty, Met-Life, MGM-MIRAGE, Premier Access, The Standard, Station Casinos, Teachers Health Trust, United Concordia, United Healthcare, Venetian, and The Zenith. We also accept Medicaid.
In general, dental pain is an emergency when there is severe or persistent pain, severe or persistent bleeding, and if there are indications of conditions that have the potential to affect the entire body, such as infection.
Make a same-day emergency appointment if you have:
Severe pain
Facial swelling or other sudden swelling
Have experienced trauma, such as a sports accident
Signs of a dental abscess
Persistent or excessive bleeding
If you are experiencing any of the conditions below, call 911 or seek emergency medical treatment immediately at a hospital, as they are symptoms of infection or other issue that may be life-threatening:
Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty breathing
High fever combined with tooth pain
Professional Treatments for Long-Term Relief in Sparks
There are a number of treatments that may be used to cure or heal the underlying problem causing tooth nerve pain. The most common is likely to receive a filling for a cavity.
Root canal therapy is also a possibility. In this process, damaged pulp is removed, the canals are cleaned, and the tooth is sealed to prevent infection. Contrary to popular belief, root canal therapy is designed to ease pain rather than cause it.
You may also need periodontal treatment for gum recession or infection, a mouthguard to wear at night for teeth grinding, and in some cases, tooth extraction.
The duration of tooth pain is entirely dependent on the extent of the damage and your unique anatomy. If pain has lasted for more than a couple of days or is getting worse, make an appointment with a dentist.
In many cases, nerve pain can be fixed with a filling. However, your unique circumstances might be different. A dentist can suggest appropriate treatment.
