Tooth Nerve Pain: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Tooth nerve pain can range from a constant dull ache to sharp, sudden, throbbing sensations. A tooth ache stemming from nerve pain issues is as painful as it sounds - if left untreated, it can be extremely uncomfortable, lead to difficulties in eating and drinking, and can lead to sleepless nights.

Nerve pain within a tooth or in the jaw area is a sign that a tooth has become severely damaged or decayed, exposing sensitive nerves under the hard enamel surface. Treating tooth nerve pain early on is important - not just for the pain but for the survival of the affected tooth. Here’s what you need to know about how tooth nerve pain is caused, how to identify if the pain is nerve-related, and how your dentist can treat and relieve tooth nerve pain.

What Causes Nerve Pain In Teeth?

Tooth nerve pain is generally related to the nerves inside each tooth. A tooth has three main layers: a tough outer enamel layer, a middle dentine layer, and the inner pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels that keep the tooth healthy and alive (yes, our teeth are alive!).

Nerve pain occurs when the nerves in the pulp become damaged or overly sensitive, due to extreme temperatures, like eating ice cream or drinking hot coffee.

Damaged teeth

Teeth that have cracked, broken, or chipped may expose the sensitive inner parts of the teeth, which can result in overexposure of nerves. The cracked section of the teeth can also damage the nerves in the tooth pulp, which can lead to severe pain.

Pulpal infection 

Exposure of the tooth pulp increases the risk of bacterial infections — pulpal infections fester inside the tooth, causing inflammation and further damage to the nerve tissue. Pulpal infections are more likely to develop in a damaged tooth that has been left untreated. 

Exposed dentine 

Dentine is a protective layer of the teeth between the hard enamel exterior and the tender tooth pulp. When the layer of enamel of the tooth is worn away due to frequent hard brushing or clenching teeth, the dentin is exposed. Exposed dentine is closer to the nerves in the tooth pulp, resulting in bouts of nerve pain when affected teeth are subjected to hot, cold, or acidic foods. 

Teeth cavities  

Cavities are holes that extend deeper into the tooth's internal nerve tissue. Nerve pain occurs when the nerves in the affected tooth are exposed to hot, cold, or acidic foods.

Gum disease

Gum diseases, such as periodontitis, can cause the gums to recede from the teeth. Tooth roots exposed due to receding gums are more sensitive and can lead to nerve pain.

Symptoms of Tooth Nerve Pain

Tooth nerve pain is frequently triggered while eating, drinking, or talking but can also occur unexpectedly during the day or while sleeping. 

Nerve pain can range from small aching sensations to unbearable shooting pain. Intense nerve pain can radiate from affected teeth to the rest of the mouth and jaw, making it difficult to speak or eat. 

Other signs of nerve damage include:

• Sharp pain when biting down or chewing

• A tender sensation near the affected tooth

• Extreme discomfort when exposed to hot or cold foods

• Dull ache in the jaw 

• Painkillers not helping

Nerve pain can be differentiated from a regular toothache by an intense feeling of sensitivity in addition to pain. It’s important to note that nerve pain around the jaw and mouth may be caused by chronic nerve conditions like trigeminal neuralgia, which cannot be treated by dental procedures. We recommend visiting our dentists at Bluff Point Dental for an accurate diagnosis of the source of the nerve pain. 

Will Tooth Nerve Pain Go Away Naturally?

While tooth nerve pain can occasionally fade on its own, it’s not that common. Nerve pain often signals deeper dental issues that require treatment. The majority of tooth nerve pain cases will require dental treatment for tooth nerve pain relief. Nerve pain is a sign that the tooth’s nerves are either damaged or exposed — even if the pain fades away naturally, it’s safer to get it looked at by a dentist to ensure there is no lasting damage to the tooth. 

Treatment Options for Tooth Nerve Pain Relief

Tooth nerve pain requires dental treatment to identify the source of the pain and address the issues causing the pain, whether it is a cavity or a pulpal infection. 

Tooth Filling

Tooth fillings are a simple treatment option for covering cavities and smaller cracks in teeth. Any decayed or damaged part of the tooth is removed before a composite or metal filling is applied to fill gaps in the tooth's surface to prevent nerve exposure. 

Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is ideal for severely damaged (if restorable) or infected teeth. During the procedure, the dentist will remove the affected tooth pulp and nerves from the inside of the tooth, clean the area, and seal up the tooth. After a recovery period, the tooth can be used normally without experiencing nerve pain.  

Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is a last resort for a tooth that has become too damaged or decayed for it to be restored effectively. Once the damaged tooth is extracted, the resulting gap can be filled with a dental implant or dental bridge or with a denture  for a natural-looking replacement, if possible.

If you are experiencing an ongoing toothache that you suspect is from nerve pain,  seek dental treatment as soon as possible. Delaying treatment for tooth nerve pain can increase the risk of infection, potentially leading to more severe pain and more complex treatment. Book an appointment with our dentists at Bluff Point Dental in Geraldton for a diagnosis and treatment of tooth nerve pain and help find relief.