If you are reading this article then there is a good chance you are suffering from a very painful toothache. I know exactly how you feel. Toothache can be unbearably painful especially when it is caused by an exposed nerve or root. Exposed nerves are a common dental issue that can happen when your teeth are broken or damaged.

While this article will offer suggestions for home remedies that can help you deal with the pain, it is important that you visit your dentist to avoid infection and other complications that can make the situation even worse.

What Causes an Exposed Nerve?

When teeth are healthy, an enamel protects the soft underlying dentin layer with the roots protected by the gums. But when this enamel is worn down, damaged or if the gums have receded, the soft dentin gets exposed. This triggers pain because the dentin is connected to the nerves which lead to the tooth’s pulp.

It might: If a tooth is broken and split, it most likely needs to be extracted anyway, so have it extracted, and see how you feel. If the pain does not go away, see y our physician. If the pain does not go away, see y our physician. Severe pain occurs when teeth break or move. Especially when the teeth are half attached to the gums and half are gone. Since the gums itself contain the blood vessels of the teeth, nerves,. If the chip is small, you are not feeling any pain, and no nerve is exposed, it is possible for a tooth-colored bonded composite filling to be placed to repair the chipped area. However, depending on where the chip is located, how your bite looks, and what shows up on the x-ray of that tooth, the best long-term solution could possibly be a crown.

Dentin contains many thousands of tiny channels that lead to the pulp. When these channels or tubules are exposed, they allow cold, heat and acidic substances to reach the sensitive nerves inside the teeth causing pain that can be extremely severe.

This sensitivity to temperature as is what makes eating and drinking so painful and difficult when your teeth are damaged. And it is not only eating and drinking that that causes issues; even breathing in cold air can cause a sharp pain making you wince.

Factors that lead to tooth Sensitivity and Nerve Exposure

• Brushing your teeth too hard : can wear down the enamel over time.
• Gum disease : inflammation in the gums or gingivitis can cause the roots to become exposed.
• Receding gums : as gums recede from the teeth, the roots and nerves become exposed.
• Cracked teeth : teeth that are cracked or chipped may fill up with bacteria which enters the pulp causing great pain.
• Grinding your teeth : this can wear the enamel down and expose the soft dentin underneath.
• Plaque : Plaque on the root surface may cause sensitivity,
• Acidic food : regularly eating food with a high acid content can cause the enamel to erode and leave dentin exposed.

Home Remedies

If your tooth is damaged, then it is very important that you see a dentist as soon as possible to avoid further complications. This is especially important if the damage is so great that the root or nerve has been exposed.

There are however some potential solutions that might help ease your symptoms temporarily until you can get professional help.

Saltwater

A rinse with saltwater is one of the best and easiest things you can do to relieve the pain you are feeling. Salt is naturally antibacterial and can help to kill the bacteria and germs in the teeth. Everybody has salt in the house and it is a good first line of treatment to ease your symptoms. You can use salt alone or in combination with another home remedy from our list.

• Add half a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and stir to dissolve.
• Use the saltwater to rinse out your mouth. Swoosh it around in your mouth for 3 minutes or so then spit it out.
• Repeat the process regularly until you feel some relief from the pain.

Clove Oil

Clove oil is one of the most effective natural remedies for curing tooth pain, In fact, cloves have been used to ease dental pain since long before the dental profession came about. Clove oil works because it contains eugenol which has excellent analgesic properties. (1)

Today, clove oil is often used as an ingredient in various commercial toothpastes and mouthwashes. The eugenol found in cloves can help ease pain, soothe inflammation and kill bacteria making it an excellent natural remedy to have on hand for a dental emergency.

• Take a cotton swab and soak it in your clove oil.
• Apply the oil directly to the area that is causing the pain.
• Repeat twice a day.
• Alternatively, dilute 3 or 4 drops of clove oil in a teaspoon of sesame oil or olive oil. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and apply it to the exposed nerve like a compress.

Ginger

Ginger is another herb that can help ease the symptoms from an exposed tooth nerve. Ginger has a number of medicinal properties including analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions that can ease your pain and irritation. (2)

You can use fresh ginger or ginger essential oil to help treat toothache and pain caused by an exposed nerve.

• Peel and slice a fresh ginger root.
• Apply the sliced ginger to the exposed nerve and bite down gently to release the juice.
• Move the slice around the affected area with your tongue.
• Continue until the slices are smooth then spit them out.

You can also use ginger essential oil in the same way as you can use the clove oil mentioned previously.

Garlic

Garlic is another herb with a number of incredible health benefits. It contains a powerful substance called allicin and has antiseptic, antibacterial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. These actions can help relieve the painful symptoms of toothache while killing the bacteria that may be an underlying cause.

• Peel and crush a few cloves of fresh garlic and add a little salt.
• Mix into a thick paste then apply it directly to the exposed nerve.
• Leave it in place for an hour or so and then rinse out your mouth.
• Repeat as often as needed until you feel some relief.

Sesame Oil

A popular remedy in Ayurveda, oil pulling can be a very effective way of treating toothache and an excellent preventive measure to ensure good oral hygiene.Sesame oil is a popular option for pulling because of its excellent medicinal properties.

According to research oil pulling with sesame oil is effective against various bacterial strains that may be the cause of your tooth sensitivity. (3) The oil also has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help relieve the swelling and irritation in your gums and roots.

• Take a tablespoon of sesame oil and swoosh it about your mouth.
• Do not swallow the oil, circulate it about paying attention to the affected teeth for ten minutes or so.
• Spit out the oil then rinse with salt water.
• Repeat daily.

Even if oil pulling does not eradicate your symptoms, it is considered an excellent preventive measure that can help improve your oral hygiene.

You can add a few drops of clove or peppermint essential oil to the sesame oil for even greater effect but be careful not to swallow any.

Coconut Oil

Chipped Molar Cusp No Pain

Much like sesame oil, coconut oil is ideal for pulling. It contains outstanding antibacterial properties as well as anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Pulling with coconut oil can be an excellent addition to your dental hygiene regime and may even help ease the symptoms from an exposed nerve.

Chipped Molar But No Pain

• Take a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil and swish it around your mouth.
• Allow it to circulate for 10 to 20 minutes then spit it out.
• Be careful not to swallow.

Again, you can add a few drops of an antibacterial essential oil for even greater effect. Clove is a great choice because of its excellent analgesic properties.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is a time honored home remedy for toothache that may well help ease the symptoms you are feeling. vanilla extract has a numbing effect because of the small amount of alcohol it contains. Studies also show it has antioxidant properties that can help speed up the healing process. (4)

• Soak a cotton swab in your vanilla extract.
• Apply the swab to the affected tooth.
• Repeat several times a day.

Thyme Essential Oil

Thyme oil contains powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat your toothache or at least ease your symptoms temporarily. It also has excellent antibacterial properties that can help kill the bacteria that may be causing an infection.

• Mix a few drops of time essential oil with a little water or coconut oil.
• Soak a cotton swab or cotton ball in the mix and apply to the exposed nerve in your tooth.
• Repeat twice daily and hopefully it will relieve your symptoms.

Alternatively, you can make a natural antibacterial mouthwash by adding a few drops of thyme oil to a glass of distilled water. Make sure you do not swallow any of the mixture.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has a variety of medicinal properties. because of its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions, it is usually used on the skin. Studies have demonstrated that it can also help speed up healing of the teeth and gums and could prevent further damage. (5)

• Slice a fresh Aloe vera leaf and extract its gel.
• Apply the gel to the exposed nerve with a cotton ball or swab.
• Let it sit for at least 20 minutes then rinse your mouth out with saltwater.
• repeat twice a day until you feel relief.

Prevention

When it comes to dental issues, prevention is much better than treatment. While some of these home remedies may ease your symptoms, it is likely you will need expert help in the near future. Dental treatment can also hit your pockets hard making it even more important that you take good care of your teeth.

Here are some of the best ways to ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy and you do not expose the nerves and end up suffering from excruciating pain.

• Good oral hygiene : It is essential to brush and floss thoroughly using the best techniques.
• Use a soft toothbrush : Soft bristles are less abrasive and less likely to wear down the enamel on your teeth. They are also less irritating to the gums but be sure to brush gently around your gum line to avoid eroding the gum.
• Use desensitizing toothpastes : There are plenty of brands available and you may have to try a few to find the best product for your needs.
• Use a mouthwash or rinse : Rinsing your mouth with a fluoridated mouthwash can help decrease the risk of sensitivity or infection.
• Don’t grind your teeth : This wears down the enamel leading to damage and root exposure. Wear a mouth guard at night if necessary.
• Avoid acidic foods : Eating too many acid foods may eventually dissolve the enamel on your teeth exposing the dentin.
• Regular dental visits : See your dentist for a check up or cleaning every 6 months or so,

Final Thoughts

• An exposed nerve is usually caused by damage to the teeth or gums. There are a number of causes including cracked or damaged teeth, gum infection or gum erosion.
• It is important that you see your dentist as soon as possible to avoid infections or other complications.
• In the meantime, there are a number of home remedies that may help ease your symptoms and prevent infection taking hold.
• Some of the best home remedies include saltwater, clove oil, thyme oil, garlic and pulling with sesame or coconut oil.

Have you ever tried any of these home remedies and if so how effective did you find them? if you have another home remedy that you have used, please let us know about it and we can add it to our list.

(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4075701/
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5356382/
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18408265
(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17715988
(5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5427443/

By: Jason Brewer, Mentor Dentist at Dental Associates Wauwatosa

If you’re like many of my patients, you’ve probably experienced a cracked tooth at some point—or at least thought you did. So what treatment is available to fix a cracked tooth? Read on to find out!

How do I Know if I Have a Cracked Tooth?

As we age, our teeth can begin to have little lines or cracks on the surface. Although these may seem concerning, often times they are simply what we call 'craze lines.' These craze lines are in fact cracks in the tooth enamel, generally limited to the superficial outer layer of the tooth, that develop over time with normal wear and tear. Craze lines are not serious as long as they do not penetrate to the inner surface of the tooth called dentin.

I do get patients, however, who come in and are concerned that they have a cracked tooth that may require treatment. So if you look closely at your teeth in a mirror and notice tiny, vertical lines...don’t fret! A good rule of thumb is that if you don’t feel pain or have any symptoms, your tooth probably does not need treatment.

If you have a cracked tooth, you may notice sensitivity or pain when biting and chewing food. In more severe cases, it will hurt consistently, especially around the gums if the tooth segment is loose. There are various types of cracked teeth, and depending on how deep the damage goes, we will suggest certain treatment options based on your situation. Treatment can be as simple as a crown, but in more extreme cases removing the tooth completely.

It is also important to note that a cracked tooth is different than a chipped tooth. Dentists and hygienists can detect a chip in a tooth by using a dental tool called an “explorer” when examining the teeth. You may also detect a chip by feeling a rough surface on the tooth with their tongue. If the explorer can’t find a chip, then the damage is superficial and it won’t need treatment.

The Difference Between a Cracked Tooth and Chipped Tooth

Cracked tooth

A cracked tooth is most common on teeth in the back of your mouth where the majority of chewing happens. All degrees of a crack can be classified under the diagnosis of 'Cracked Tooth Syndrome.' Typically a cracked tooth will require more invasive treatment than a chipped tooth. If the crack extends beyond the surface of the tooth, we may suggest a root canal and then place a crown to cover the entire tooth. We will then monitor the restoration to see how the tooth responds to ensure the patient remains comfortable with the treatment.

Here is the most common treatment for a cracked tooth:

• Least severe: the tooth will require a dental crown to cover and restore the damage.
• Medium severity: if the crack has extended a little deeper into the tooth, we will often treat it by performing a root canal procedure, then placing a crown on the tooth to restore aesthetics and functionality.
• Most severe: If the crack has extended deep into the tooth, we will likely have to perform a tooth extraction. This is the most extreme situation and we will always try our best to keep your natural teeth and repair the damage if possible. If an extraction is the best treatment plan, a dental implant can be used to replace your original tooth.

Chipped tooth

A chipped tooth occurs more frequently in the front teeth. Most of my patients who experience a chipped tooth are mainly concerned about aesthetics and functionality. Treatment for a chipped tooth is something that we can typically fix within one day. We will clean the site, then bond a tooth-colored filling to the area to restore the tooth aesthetically and functionally.

The tooth-colored filling material makes the restoration appear seamless! We can match the material to your teeth nearly perfectly so that when you smile, no one can even tell you had work done. As far as eating and strength of the restoration, it all depends on the extent of the damage and the position of the chip. After your restoration, it’s important to be more cautious about biting down on harder foods; while the restoration will be strong and functional, manmade materials are never as strong as natural teeth.

All in all, if you think you have a cracked or chipped tooth, we will work with you to find the best treatment plan to help relieve pain and restore your teeth both functionally and aesthetically!