Will a tooth with an exposed nerve hurt continuously?

Jun 21, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

What happens if tooth pain is left untreated? Will a tooth with exposed nerves hurt continuously?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Guo Huijie
Exposed tooth nerves do not always cause continuous pain, but they can indeed lead to significant discomfort and pain for patients. Dental nerve exposure typically occurs when the protective layers of enamel and dentin on the tooth surface are damaged, exposing the dental pulp (which contains the nerve) to the oral environment. In such cases, patients may experience severe toothache, especially when exposed to hot or cold stimuli. Several treatment options are available for managing exposed dental nerves: 1. Emergency management may involve drilling into the tooth to perform a retrograde pulpotomy for drainage, which helps relieve pain. 2. Medication is another option, including oral anti-inflammatory drugs (such as amoxicillin capsules or metronidazole tablets) and pain relievers (such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules or Dingxi Yatong capsules) to alleviate symptoms. 3. More specialized treatments include direct pulp capping, indirect pulp capping, and root canal therapy. In severe cases where nerve exposure cannot be effectively treated, tooth extraction may need to be considered. Patients experiencing related symptoms should seek professional dental care promptly.