The nerves within a tooth can die. Each tooth contains a soft inner core known as the dental pulp, which houses nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This pulp is essential for the tooth’s vitality, providing nutrients and enabling sensory functions like detecting temperature changes, pressure, and pain. When this tissue becomes severely compromised, the nerve can undergo irreversible damage.
Why Tooth Nerves Die
A tooth nerve can die due to various factors that compromise the dental pulp. Extensive tooth decay is a common cause, as bacteria from untreated cavities penetrate enamel and dentin, reaching the pulp. Once bacteria invade, they cause inflammation and infection, diminishing blood supply and leading to nerve death.
Physical trauma to a tooth can also result in nerve damage, including impacts, chips, or cracks that expose the pulp or disrupt its blood flow. Even minor trauma can initiate a persistent inflammatory response, leading to irreversible damage. Repeated dental procedures, such as multiple fillings or deep crown preparations, can stress the pulp, increasing its susceptibility to inflammation and nerve death.
Signs Your Tooth Nerve is Dying
Recognizing the signs of a dying tooth nerve helps in seeking timely dental care. Early indications involve heightened sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, where discomfort lingers after the stimulus is removed.
As the pulp’s condition worsens, pain may become spontaneous, manifesting as a persistent throbbing ache. Other symptoms include pain when biting or chewing, indicating inflammation around the tooth’s root. Swelling might develop around the affected tooth or gums, and some individuals may notice a foul taste or a pimple-like bump, signaling an infection. A visual sign of a dying nerve is a change in tooth color (yellow, gray, or black), similar to a bruise, as internal tissues break down.
Addressing a Dead Tooth Nerve
Leaving a dead tooth nerve untreated can lead to serious complications. Without intervention, infection can spread from the root tip into the jawbone, forming a painful abscess. This infection can extend to adjacent teeth or other body parts, potentially causing systemic health issues. Bone loss around the tooth’s root is also a possible consequence, weakening its support.
The primary treatment option for a dead tooth nerve, aimed at saving the tooth, is a root canal procedure. This endodontic treatment involves removing infected or necrotic pulp tissue from inside the tooth and its root canals. After cleaning and disinfection, the canals are shaped and filled with a biocompatible material to prevent re-infection. Following a root canal, the tooth often requires a crown to restore its strength and protect it from fracture, as it may become more brittle without its vital pulp.
If a tooth is too severely damaged for a root canal, extraction becomes the alternative. Tooth extraction involves carefully removing the entire tooth. While it resolves the immediate infection, it creates a gap that may require restorative options like a dental implant or bridge to maintain chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. The goal of treatment is to eliminate infection and preserve oral health.
Protecting Your Tooth Nerves
Preventing nerve damage begins with diligent oral hygiene. Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day helps remove plaque and food particles, significantly reducing the risk of cavities that can lead to nerve compromise. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings are important, as they allow dentists to detect and treat early decay before it reaches the pulp.
Prompt treatment of cavities is crucial to prevent bacteria from progressing deeper and infecting the nerve. For contact sports participants or teeth grinders, a custom-fitted mouthguard protects teeth from trauma and excessive wear. Avoiding habits like chewing ice, hard candies, or using teeth to open packages minimizes the risk of cracks or chips that could expose the dental pulp.