The causes of dental nerve pain can be many; this could be infection, injury, tooth decay, gum disease, loose filling, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. The pain can also be caused by problems with the ears, sinuses, facial muscles and sometimes it could also be a symptom of a heart attack. If you have dental neuralgia for any reason, you can learn how to stop it and reduce the discomfort.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Medications
Step 1. Take over-the-counter medications
When you suffer from dental neuralgia, you can take various pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Brufen), acetaminophen (Tachipirina) and naproxen (Momendol).
Scrupulously follow the instructions and dosage given on the leaflet
Step 2. Pay attention to any warning signs that accompany nerve pain
Usually, it is due to inflammation around the base of the tooth in the pulp. Although inflammation can often be treated, there are some signs you need to look out for that tell you that you need to see a dentist, including:
- Worsening of pain when chewing
- Sensitivity to temperatures lasting more than 15 seconds after breaking contact with the hot or cold source;
- Bleeding or discharge of secretions around the tooth or gum
- Swelling around the tooth, cheek, or jaw
- Fever;
- Injury or trauma to the area, especially if the tooth is broken or loose.
Step 3. Go to the dentist
You can use home remedies to relieve discomfort; however, if you do not get satisfactory results with these methods within a day or two, call your dentist for professional treatment; this could be a serious situation that requires medical attention.
If you develop any signs of pain, bad breath, fever, difficulty swallowing, swelling of your jaw, gums or mouth, you should call your dentist right away, as this may be a problem that requires urgent medical attention
Step 4. Get a dental examination
When you go to the doctor's office, the dentist performs a mouth exam; First, check all of your teeth thoroughly and may even perform an X-ray to check for any cavities, cracks or breaks in the enamel, as well as possible fractured teeth. He can also examine old fillings and remove any that are loose or broken.
- Also inspect the gums for signs of inflammation, bleeding, or to see if a deep clean is appropriate. Also check if abscesses have formed, if wisdom teeth are included, and check for signs of bruxism, a tendency to clench or grind your teeth at night. If none of these seem to be your problem, your dentist also checks your sinuses and temporomandibular joint.
- If any tooth is cracked, broken or included, it can be filled, but if it is not possible to save it, an extraction must proceed. If the pain you are experiencing is due to an abscess, the dentist removes the infection with a small incision in the gum and gives you antibiotics, after which a devitalization is necessary.
- During canalization, a hole is made in the tooth to physically eliminate the infection; the whole area is then carefully cleaned and the tooth is sealed with a filling.
Step 5. Take care of gum disease
They could be the cause of the pain you feel; it is important to treat them early, as if neglected they can lead to more serious diseases of the oral cavity, chronic diseases, as well as other general health problems; it is therefore essential to address them as soon as they arise.
- During deep cleaning, which is very often the first step in gum disease treatments, the entire area below the gum line is cleaned using a specific tool, in order to remove bacteria and plaque, as well as hard pieces of tartar and necrotic cement, the main causes of gum swelling.
- Your dentist may also give you more instructions on brushing and flossing techniques, as well as give you a remineralizing solution to use according to their directions.
Step 6. Treat temporomandibular joint disorders
These too can be the source of dental pain; if so, there are several methods and solutions that you can put in place:
- Take anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, to manage pain.
- Sometimes, antidepressants and / or muscle relaxants are prescribed for a short time;
- Mouthguards can be used for this, especially if you tend to grind or clench your teeth hard.
- You can do physical therapy exercises to strengthen the jaw;
- You can contact a counselor to reduce stress and learn different relaxation techniques;
- In severe cases of severe tooth pain due to TMJ, surgery may be required;
- TENS therapy aims to relax the muscles after having subjected those responsible for bruxism to electrical stimulation;
- Botox injections can be incredibly helpful, as long as they are performed by specialists.
Method 2 of 3: Natural Remedies
Step 1. Try the ice
It is a useful method for relieving pain due to neuralgia; apply a cube or crushed ice to the affected tooth, but only if it is not sensitive to cold. Alternatively, chop some ice and place it in a balloon or finger you cut out of a plastic (but not latex) glove to create a cold pack.
- Make sure you close the end of the balloon or glove and place the compress on the tooth.
- You can also place it on the skin of the face at the height of the aching tooth to provide relief.
Step 2. Use garlic, onion or ginger
These plants have long been known for their ability to soothe dental pain. To start, cut a small piece of one of these plants, place it directly on the affected tooth and bite it lightly to release the juice.
This remedy allows you to numb and soothe the gum
Step 3. Massage the gums with essential oils
This is another remedy to reduce the discomfort of neuralgia. Use a few drops of warm olive oil or some warm vanilla extract. You can also try essential oils for pain relief; put a few drops on your fingers and massage your gums. Alternatively, you can prepare mouthwashes yourself using a few drops of essential oil diluted in a little water; be careful never to ingest these oils, as they can be toxic. Here are some suggestions:
- Melaleuca;
- Cloves;
- Sage;
- Cinnamon;
- Hydraste;
- Mint.
Step 4. Make a compress with a decoction
It can be helpful in reducing nerve pain. You can use a sachet of a ready-made commercial herbal tea and immerse it in hot water; soak it for a while, then place it directly on the aching tooth and leave it in place for at least five minutes. You can proceed with this remedy two or three times a day, as long as you are in pain. The aromatic plants that have proved useful are:
- Echinacea;
- Hydraste;
- Tender;
- Sage;
- Green tea.
Step 5. Try an asafoetida paste
It is a plant that is used in traditional medicine, generally available in powder form. You can make a paste by mixing a pinch of it with fresh lemon juice until it takes on the consistency of a paste. Once the ingredients have blended perfectly, rub the mixture into the tooth and gum, letting it sit for about five minutes.
- When finished, rinse your mouth with water.
- You can repeat the treatment two or three times a day.
Method 3 of 3: Do Pain Relief Flushes
Step 1. Use sea salt
It can help you soothe the pain, as well as clean your mouth. To prepare the solution, dissolve half a teaspoon of sea salt in 120 ml of hot water; hold the liquid in your mouth over the aching tooth for 30-60 seconds and finally spit it out. Repeat two or three times.
- You can also add some antibacterial substances to the mixture to reduce pain; mix salt water, propolis and a mouthwash in equal parts.
- At the end of the treatment, rinse your mouth with warm water, being careful not to swallow the mixture.
- You can repeat the rinse three or four times a day.
Step 2. Make an apple cider vinegar solution
This substance has antiseptic properties that relieve malaise. Mix 60ml of warm water with the same vinegar and hold the solution in your mouth over the affected tooth for 30-60 seconds; spit and repeat 2-3 times, making sure not to swallow the solution.
- Once finished, rinse with hot water.
- You can do this up to three or four times a day.
Step 3. Try hydrogen peroxide
Rinse with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution; move it around your mouth for 30-60 seconds and finally spit it out, avoiding swallowing it.
