|
Question:
I am experiencing a pain that is not like a toothache. It occurs and lingers for about 5 mins or so...but it is excruciating when it happens.
I went to the dentist yesterday and Xrays show no sign of decays or a nerve that has been affected in any way. The dentist isn't sure if this is something that is still in developmental stages. All I know is it hurts and taking an anti-flammatory doesn't seem to help.
It subsides and comes back either when I drink something that isn't warm or when I eat something as simple as an orange. What is causing this. It almost feels like something cold is resting on my teeth. ...Visitor from PA
Answer:
From the description that you are giving a few things can be occurring. There may be a crack in the tooth which has not fully separated. As the cold, hot and acid from the orange touches the tooth the substance can enter the crack and get to the nerve. Due to the bone splinting the tooth there
may no be evidence on the x-ray.
Sometimes a test where you bite down on a ball-like stick can reproduce the pain. If this is the case then a root canal followed with a crown and post if needed will solve the problem.
You may have a piece of the inner hard material call dentin exposed due to either recession or a piece of the enamel flaking off. This would expose the dentinal tubules which lead to the nerve and the stimulus would cause some pain. If this is the cause first try a desensitizing tooth paste such as sensodyne and follow it up with a fluoride rinse.
If this does not help then the dentist can put some desensitizer solution on and/or make trays to hold the desensitizing solution to the teeth longer. If there is still pain then a small filling may be needed. This type of condition is located by the gum tissue most often.
Sometimes the nerve which gives sensitivity to the teeth can go haywire and this can lead to a tooth like pain or an electrical shock type feeling (trigeminal neuralgia). This type of condition is best treated by a pain specialist or a neurologist, and is often treated with medication.
Editorial Staff
|
|
