Don't Try Killing Tooth Nerves at Home - Seek Professional Help

Understanding Tooth Nerve Pain and Seeking Professional Treatment

Tooth nerves, also called dental pulp, are extremely sensitive tissues that run from the tooth's core to the root. Exposed or inflamed nerves cause throbbing toothaches and pain. While one may attempt to find DIY home methods for killing tooth nerves, this is extremely risky and not recommended.

Causes of Tooth Nerve Pain

Common causes of tooth nerve irritation leading to pain include:

• Dental cavities
• Cracked or broken teeth
• Trauma or injury to a tooth
• Tooth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
• Infected gums (periodontal disease)

As pulp inflammation progresses untreated, the pain intensifies and infection can spread.

Dangers of DIY Tooth Nerve Treatments

While one may come across home remedies for killing nerves in teeth, these DIY treatments almost always lead to further complications:

• Increased inflammation and pain
• Damage to surrounding tooth tissues
• Spreading infection to the jawbone or head
• Eventual tooth loss

Many home fixes involve placing harsh chemicals like alcohol, bleach, acid or hot objects on the sensitive tooth or in dental tubules. However, these at-home methods nearly always make the situation much worse.

Professional Tooth Nerve Treatments from a Dentist

Instead of attempting to permanently kill a tooth nerve yourself, seek professional treatment from your dentist right away at the first signs of throbbing or pain. Timely treatment is essential to saving damaged teeth and preventing spread of infection.

Root Canal Therapy

If the tooth pulp is infected with irreversible pulpitis, root canal treatment is required. This involves gently removing inflamed or infected nerve tissue and sealing the interior canals.

Pulpotomy

Similar to a root canal, this is when a tiny portion of irritated nerve tissue is removed from the pulp chamber. The remaining healthy portion is treated with medication and sealed.

Tooth Extractions

If a tooth is too damaged to save via root canal therapy or pulpotomy, the dentist may recommend safely extracting it to protect your health.

Dental Crowns or Veneers

After undergoing root canals or pulpotomies, crowns or veneers help restore damaged teeth to full function while protecting them from future trauma.

Medications to Control Pain & Swelling

Dentists also prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatory pills, topical numbing agents or pain relievers to alleviate discomfort as you heal from dental procedures.

Tips to Prevent Tooth Nerve Damage

While professionally treating irritated nerves is sometimes unavoidable, you can take measures to help avoid pulp inflammation and toothaches:

Brush & Floss Properly

Thorough oral hygiene prevents plaque buildup and dental decay leading to pulp inflammation. brush gently 2x daily and floss once daily.

See Your Dentist Regularly

Routine dental cleanings and checkups detect issues early, before they require complex root canal procedures.

Wear a Mouthguard if You Grind Teeth

Custom nighttime mouthguards cushion teeth from damage caused by clenching and grinding during sleep.

Eat a Balanced Diet Low in Sugar

Limit sugary snacks and beverages that feed the bacteria causing decay. Eat more crunchy fruits and vegetables which help clean teeth.

Don't Smoke or Chew Tobacco

Tobacco irritates gums and reduces blood flow, increasing chances of infection reaching the tooth pulp.

While DIY home methods for killing tooth nerves may seem appealing, they lead to severe dental complications. Partner with your dentist for professional treatment to save damaged teeth and alleviate pain while preventing spread of infection.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.