How Long Will a Tooth Hurt Before the Nerve Dies?
Understanding how long a tooth might hurt before the nerve dies is crucial for timely treatment. We’ll explore the causes of toothache, symptoms, and when to seek dental care.
What Causes Toothache?
Toothache can arise from various factors, typically related to the condition of the teeth, gums, or surrounding structures.
One of the most common causes is tooth decay. When plaque forms on teeth and isn’t adequately removed, bacteria break down sugars in food, producing acids that erode tooth enamel. This can lead to cavities that expose the sensitive inner layers of the tooth, causing pain.
Gum disease is another frequent culprit. Gingivitis or periodontitis can cause inflammation and infection of the gums, leading to discomfort that may be felt in the teeth.
Tooth abscesses, which occur when bacterial infections form pockets of pus, can result in severe pain and swelling. Similarly, fractured or cracked teeth expose the tooth’s inner layers, allowing irritation of the nerves and causing sharp pain.
Interestingly, stress can also play a role in toothache. Stress-induced behaviours like teeth grinding (bruxism) can wear down enamel or cause tooth fractures, leading to soreness or pain. Chronic grinding can even affect the jaw muscles and temporomandibular joint (TMJ), resulting in toothaches or jaw discomfort.
Toothaches are often connected to the dental nerves, which lie in the innermost part of the tooth, the pulp. When a cavity or crack reaches the pulp, it can inflame or irritate the nerves, leading to throbbing or sharp pain. Pulpitis, or inflammation of the pulp, is a common cause of nerve-related toothaches.
Lastly, non-dental issues like sinus infections can cause referred pain, as the nerves of the teeth and sinuses are closely connected. When pressure builds in the sinus cavities, the nearby dental nerves may become irritated, mimicking tooth pain.
Potential Causes of Toothache
There are many factors which may cause toothache, varying greatly in severity. These include:
- Tooth decay (cavities)
- Gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis)
- Tooth abscess (infection)
- Tooth fracture or crack
- Damaged fillings or dental work
- Exposed tooth root (due to gum recession)
- Tooth grinding (bruxism)
- Eruption of wisdom teeth
- Sinus infection (sinusitis)
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
- Food particles trapped between teeth
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks
- Impacted teeth
- Pulpitis (inflammation of the tooth pulp)
In many cases, you’ll need to see a dentist to find the cause and treat the issue behind your toothache.
Does Toothache Go Away on its Own?
In mild cases, toothache can sometimes resolve on its own without the need for immediate dental treatment, such as when it is caused by sensitivity in your teeth.
Tooth sensitivity is often caused by exposed dentin – the layer beneath the enamel – which can be triggered by hot, cold, or sweet foods. This condition may be temporary, especially if it’s due to minor enamel erosion or recent dental work, like fillings or teeth whitening. Switching to a sensitive toothpaste that contains desensitising agents, like potassium nitrate, can help reduce discomfort by blocking the pain signals from reaching the dental nerves.
Another common mild cause is irritation from food particles lodged between the teeth, which can be alleviated through careful brushing and flossing. Foods like beef and pork or herbs and seeds can easily get stuck between two teeth, so the best way to dislodge them is by flossing between those teeth. When the gums or teeth recover from the irritation, the pain usually subsides on its own.
However, while mild toothaches can resolve themselves, you shouldn’t ignore consistent pain as it may be a sign of a more pressing issue.
If the discomfort persists beyond two to three days, worsens, or is accompanied by symptoms like swelling, fever, or bad breath (which may indicate infection), you should book an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible.
Waiting longer than a few days could allow the underlying issue to worsen, potentially leading to more severe problems like abscesses or infections that require more invasive treatments. Even if the pain fades, it’s wise to have any persistent sensitivity checked, as it could signal the early stages of tooth decay or gum disease.
How Long Will a Tooth Hurt Before the Nerve Dies?
The duration of tooth pain before the nerve dies can vary greatly, depending on the cause and severity of the damage. In many cases, pain is caused by tooth decay, trauma, or infection, which can inflame the pulp – the inner part of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. This condition, called pulpitis, can be reversible or irreversible.
In reversible pulpitis, the nerve is irritated, but with proper treatment – such as a filling to treat a cavity – the tooth can heal, and the pain subsides. However, in irreversible pulpitis, the damage is more severe, and without treatment, the nerve may die. During this stage, the pain may be sharp and intense, often worsening when chewing or exposed to hot or cold stimuli like food and drink.
The time it takes for the nerve to die can range from a few days to several weeks or even months. As the nerve begins to die, the pain may become less frequent but more throbbing. Once the nerve dies, the tooth may stop hurting for a time, but the dead tissue inside can lead to a tooth abscess, an infection at the root, causing renewed and more severe pain, swelling, and sometimes a foul taste or smell.
It’s important to see a dentist promptly if you experience persistent tooth pain, as early treatment can prevent nerve death and more invasive procedures, like a root canal or extraction, from becoming necessary.
How Do You Treat Toothache?
Treating a toothache depends on its cause. For immediate relief, painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol are commonly recommended, as they help reduce inflammation and pain. Bonjela isn’t useful for all types of toothache, but it can be useful to relieve mild discomfort around the gums and ulcers in the cheeks.
For more serious causes, like tooth decay, a dentist may perform a filling or, in severe cases, a tooth extraction. Extractions are necessary if the tooth is too damaged or infected to save, so problematic teeth need to be removed for the overall health of the mouth.
After an extraction, the hole, or socket, typically takes around 1 to 2 weeks to heal over, with discomfort diminishing after a few days.
The cost of a tooth extraction varies based on the complexity. In the UK, on the NHS, a simple extraction may cost around £70 to £100, whereas private clinics may charge £100 to £300 or more, depending on the tooth’s location and condition. But with private dentistry, you will have longer appointment times, and more timely appointments, so the extra cost is worth it to relieve you of your toothache and prevent any underlying issues from worsening.
Is Toothache an Emergency?
Toothache can sometimes be an emergency, depending on the severity of symptoms. Mild to moderate pain from a cavity or sensitivity doesn’t usually require immediate attention, but it’s important to monitor the situation and seek dental care if it persists or worsens.
However, it may indicate something more serious if the toothache is accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Fever
- Swelling
- Difficulty opening the mouth
If these symptoms are present, you should call 111 or your dentist’s office to book an emergency appointment, as infections can spread and lead to complications.
It’s crucial to avoid going to A&E for toothache unless your life is in danger. Emergency departments are not equipped to handle dental issues and often overwhelmed by other health emergencies, and it’s better to visit an emergency dentist for appropriate care. However, if the toothache is accompanied by heavy bleeding or difficulty breathing, which could signal a life-threatening condition, then a visit to A&E is necessary.
In general, for severe pain or signs of infection, seeking immediate dental treatment is important to prevent the worsening of the condition and avoid more serious complications like abscesses, which can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. However, you should also stay up to date with dental check-ups to further prevent issues from occurring.
Visit Didsbury Dental Practice
Whether you need a routine appointment, emergency extraction or dentures fitted, Didsbury Dental Practice is here to help. Contact us today to get an appointment.
