Tooth Nerve Pain: Triggers & Treatment

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Whether it's a sharp, stabbing sensation or a dull ache, tooth nerve pain can take the enjoyment out of eating. Identifying which foods are most likely to trigger a painful reaction helps reduce your suffering, but tooth sensitivity is often a sign of a deeper problem. Tell your dentist if you suffer from pain during or after eating so he or she can find out the cause and provide treatment. According to the South African Dental Association, the smallest of injuries can affect the living tissue of the teeth.

Tooth Sensitivity

Eating can cause sensitivity and pain when the dentin inside teeth is exposed to the mouth. Above the gumline, teeth are coated with enamel, and below the gumline they're covered in cementum. Both enamel and cementum protect dentin, which is a soft, yellow-brown dental mineral filled with tubules that lead to the inner nerve pulp. When teeth lose their protective coatings, temperature changes in the mouth and food and drink can move through the tubules to the tooth nerves. Enamel erosion, cavities, gum disease, exposed tooth roots and tooth fractures expose dentin in teeth and trigger tooth pain.

Tooth Nerves

Unlike enamel, cementum and dentin, tooth nerves are sensitive to stimulation. This is helpful because it means they can tell us when there's a problem with our teeth. Unfortunately, it also means that irritating tooth nerves causes pain. High and low temperatures and acidic and sugary foods irritate the nerves in your teeth.

Foods to Avoid

Avoid trigger foods and drinks to reduce tooth nerve pain. Some foods to avoid include:

Pickles
Tomatoes
Citrus fruits
Cookies
Candy

Allow hot food to cool before eating and avoid ice cream, ice cubes and other very cold or chilled foods. It's best to avoid drinking cool drinks. Sugary cool drinks can trigger sensitivity. They also contain phosphoric and citric acid, which erode tooth enamel.

How to Treat Tooth Nerve Pain

To treat tooth nerve pain effectively, brush your teeth correctly, use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth and visit your dentist. Scrubbing harshly at your teeth erodes tooth enamel and can damage your gums, exposing tooth roots. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and hold it at a 45° angle. Brush in a back and forth motion circular motion along the gumline. To help calm your tooth nerves while you brush, you can use toothpaste for tooth sensitivity. Your pain and sensitivity may be due to a dental problem that can be fixed, so go to see your dentist.

Pain while eating isn't fun, but there's plenty you can do to treat tooth sensitivity. Avoid very hot or cold and sweet or acidic foods, and pay your dentist a visit. When nerve pain from your teeth is reduced or fixed, you can enjoy your food again.