Tooth infections are very common and can be extremely painful. Most tooth infections occur due to the presence of bacteria in your mouth. Bacteria readily infect your teeth and spread throughout your body, causing serious health issues. To treat tooth infection, you must first identify the cause, which is why it’s important to know what happens if your tooth nerve is infected.
 
When a tooth becomes infected, inflammation and pain are the first signs the patient will experience. Most commonly, your wisdom teeth get infected due to dental decay. However, canker sores and plaque also contribute to the death of teeth. Additionally, a cracked tooth or missing tooth can also result in a bacterial infection. If left untreated, an infected tooth may lead to the death of surrounding teeth. Ultimately, an infected tooth is a serious matter that requires immediate treatment.

Tooth infections are very painful since the infection causes the pain receptors in your mouth to fire off. The pain caused by an infected tooth is excruciating since the bacteria invade the organs and soft tissue of your mouth. Unrepaired tooth decay, which most children acquire, is one of the most common causes of tooth infection. Dental work also exposes teeth to bacteria, which makes dental work more dangerous than normal. Since dental work results in more tooth decay, patients with dental issues are particularly at risk for developing an infection.
 
Dental nerve pain can be as sharp as stabbing pain or as mild as dull pain. Certain foods and drinks may trigger pain when the nerve in your tooth is exposed.
 
Foods and drinks, whether hot or cold, sugary or acidic, sweet or savory, can cause pain in exposed tooth nerves.

The nerves in a tooth are located in the pulp, which is the bundle of nerves attached to the blood vessel in the center of the tooth. Dental neuralgia is divided into two categories:

Pulp Sensitivity: If your pain is centered on one tooth, the problem may be related to the pulp. Causes of dental neuralgia include broken, chipped, or cracked teeth; cavities or infections; recent fillings; and stress from clenching or grinding.

Dentin hypersensitivity: dentin hypersensitivity refers to neuralgia in the teeth and is relatively common. This type of dental neuralgia occurs when the enamel is damaged or eroded and external stimuli, such as heat, cold, and acid, reach the nerve endings in the dentin layer of the tooth. Causes of dentin sensitivity include the use of tooth whitening products, receding gums, and untreated tooth decay. Excessive brushing and recent gum surgery that exposed the tooth roots can also cause tooth pain.

Depending on the cause of your pain, there are several possible dental procedures that can address the problem. The two most common treatments for nerve pain are fillings and root canal therapy.
 
Fillings: Fillings are the most common dental restoration when you have nerve pain from simple cavities.
 
Root canal treatment: Root canal treatment is needed when nerve pain is caused by a severe infection or tooth decay. The nerves in your teeth are not essential for healthy tooth function, and root canal treatment can heal some types of dental nerve pain.
 
Try oral care products designed for sensitive mouths.
 
Both adults and children experience this pain. See your dentist right away if you have any signs or symptoms. You may need a dental exam and X-rays to find out what’s causing your toothache.
 
If you suspect an infected tooth, you should seek medical attention immediately since not treating an infection can result in its death. However, even after seeking medical attention, you should still seek dental attention since only dentists can effectively treat tooth infections. Your dentist will prescribe an antibiotic during your appointment and monitor your condition while prescribing painkillers if necessary. Your dentist should have all of the equipment they need to treat your infection since they’re required to by law.
 
An infected tooth is a serious health issue that requires immediate treatment if you suspect it. You should seek medical attention if you can, since only a doctor can treat an infected tooth effectively. However, even if you go to the doctor first, you should still seek dental treatment since only a dentist can treat your infected wisdom teeth effectively. We have convenient locations to serve you in Washington, DC, and Woodbridge, VA. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Washington DC, Woodbridge VA, Arlington VA, Lorton VA, Manassas VA, Springfield VA, Alexandria VA, and Silver Spring MD.