Tooth pain may be a numbing aching in the tooth brought on by a variety of dental disorders, such as infection or decay. Managing tooth pain can be difficult for a number of reasons, such as the development of swelling, bacterial infections, redness, or bleeding, even if it may be numbing and tingling. If you are in pain and want to know
how to permanently kill a tooth nerve, continue reading to find out.
How To Permanently Kill A Tooth Nerve?
1. Home Remedies
a) Saltwater rinse
- To use a saltwater rinse to attempt to kill a tooth nerve, first dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of hot water.
- Make sure the water is not too hot. Allow it to cool slightly so you can swish it around your mouth.
- Take a mouthful of the saltwater and hold it over the painful tooth area for 30 seconds up to 1 minute before spitting it out.
- The hot saline solution helps draw fluid out of the inflamed nerve. You need to repeat it three times per day.
b) Cold Compress
- If you want to know how to permanently kill a tooth nerve using cold compress, first fill a small ziplock bag with ice cubes or freeze a thin wet cloth.
- Apply the ice pack or frozen cloth directly to the cheek area near the painful tooth.
- Do not place it directly on the skin as it may damage skin. Hold the cold compress firmly in place for 15-20 minutes.
- You can repeat this 2-3 times per day. The extreme cold temperature from the ice can help damage the tooth nerve endings and numb pain.
c) Hydrogen peroxide
- To do this, first obtain 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.
- Using a small dropper or syringe, apply a couple drops of hydrogen peroxide into the painful tooth area or cavity.
- Let it bubble and work for 2-3 minutes before rinsing out your mouth.
- The bubbling effect helps dislodge debris and may reduce irritation.
- Repeat 1-2 times per day.
d) Peppermint tea
- To do this, brew a strong cup of peppermint tea and let it cool to a drinkable temperature.
- Take a small sip and hold the tea in your mouth on the painful tooth’s side for 30 seconds before swishing and swallowing.
- The minty flavor has a numbing effect that may briefly reduce nerve irritation.
- You need to repeat several times a day if you are looking for how to permanently kill a tooth nerve using peppermint tea.
e) Clove Oil
- To use it, soak a small cotton ball in several drops of pure clove essential oil.
- Once soaked, press the cotton firmly onto the aching tooth for 5-10 minutes.
- The clove oil can seep into the tooth and numb the irritated nerve.
- You can reapply 2-3 times daily. With repeated applications, clove oil maydamage the nerve over time.
2. Other Treatments
Now that you know how to permanently kill a tooth nerve at home, have a look at other treatment options –
a) Root Canal Medication
The dentist drills an opening through the top of the tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canals. Special medications containing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents like eugenol, esters, aldehydes, or phenol are applied to sterilise and numb the canals. After sealing the chamber with temporary filling, these potent medicaments kill the tooth nerve over the next 7-10 days.
b) Pulpectomy
In this root canal procedure, the nerve tissue is physically removed. The dentist numbs the area, drills into the tooth, flushes/irrigates the root canals, then uses special instruments called files to scrape out and extract all of the soft pulp tissue containing nerves and blood vessels.
c) Root Canal Drilling
High speed drills with tiny nerve-destroying tips are used to penetrate deep inside the root canals to shred and eliminate the nerve tissue inside the roots. Irrigation is used to flush out debris. This drilling thoroughly kills the tooth nerve.
d) Laser Therapy
Powerful laser energy can be directly applied inside the pulp chamber and root canals to destroy the nerve. Different laser wavelengths like Er:YAG at 2940 nm are effective at tooth nerve ablation. Lasers sterilise and seal the dentinal tubules as well.
e) Tooth Extraction
In severe cases, the infected tooth may be pulled out entirely. This completely removes the tooth nerve along with the remainder of the tooth, jawbone, and other structures. The space fills in with bone over time. Implants can be placed later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does a tooth nerve do?
A: The tooth nerve, also called the pulp, provides sensation and nutrients to the tooth through networks of nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth.
Q: Why does the tooth nerve die?
A: Tooth nerve death is usually caused by severe tooth decay, cracks, trauma, or injury that allows bacteria to infect or inflame the pulp.
Q: What happens when a tooth nerve dies?
A: A dead tooth nerve leads to infection, abscesses, severe pain, and eventually the whole tooth will die if untreated.
Q: How is a tooth nerve removed?
A: Endodontists use special instruments to surgically extract the tooth pulp or dissolve it with medications. Lasers, drills, irrigation, and suction may be used.
Q: How much does it cost to kill a tooth nerve?
A: For those who are looking for how to permanently kill a tooth nerve using medication and surgery, cost can range between $300 to $1500.
Q: What happens after root canal therapy?
A: After root canal treatment, the tooth will be sealed and restored with a crown or filling to prevent fracture and re-infection.
Q: How long does a dead tooth last?
A: With proper restoration, a tooth can last for years after its nerve has been removed through root canal treatment.
Overview
Knowing how to permanently kill a tooth nerve is beneficial because it removes the source of pain and infection inside the tooth. It allows the tooth to be saved and restored for normal function rather than requiring extraction. Removing the diseased nerve prevents abscesses, swelling, and further spread of infection to the bone which could be life-threatening.