How Long Will a Tooth Hurt Before the Nerve Dies?
Quick answer: how long a tooth can hurt before the nerve dies
There is no reliable timeline. The nerve tissue inside a tooth can go from sensitive to inflamed to dead, and the sources we reviewed give no exact timeframes for it. When the nerve dies, the pain may stop, but the infection or damage can still be there. See a dentist for any tooth pain.
Timing varies from tooth to tooth and person to person.
Pain that suddenly stops does not mean the tooth healed.
A dead nerve still needs a dentist to treat it.
Facial swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing, or fever, is an ER or 911 situation.
A toothache that keeps coming back makes you wonder how much longer this can go on, and whether the pain stopping would be good news or bad news. The honest answer is that there is no set timeline, and it is worth knowing why. This guide from Smyrna Dental Studio in Smyrna, GA explains what the sources say about how a tooth nerve dies, what the pain can feel like along the way, and when to get help.
How long will a tooth hurt before the nerve dies?
There is no set number of days. The tissue inside a tooth, called the pulp, can move from inflamed to dead, and Cleveland Clinic lists the stages as reversible pulpitis, irreversible pulpitis and pulp necrosis without exact timeframes. How fast it happens can vary, so nobody can honestly promise a schedule.
What the stages can feel like
Early on, you may feel a short, sharp pain with cold or sweets that goes away quickly. This early stage is called reversible pulpitis, and Cleveland Clinic says it can be treated by removing decay and sealing the tooth with a filling.
Later, the pain may last more than a few seconds after hot, cold or sweet things, or turn into a lingering ache or throb. That later stage is irreversible pulpitis, where the tissue inside the tooth can eventually die.
What can start the process
The most common cause is an untreated cavity. Cracked teeth, a hit to the tooth, earlier dental work, and worn enamel from grinding can also play a part. If a tooth is already aching, you can learn about toothache relief in Smyrna at our office.
If the pain stops, does that mean the tooth is fine?
Not necessarily. Pain that goes away can mean the nerve has died, not that the tooth healed. Cleveland Clinic says pain may stop if an infection causes the pulp inside your tooth to die, but the bacteria can keep spreading and destroying nearby tissue.
It also notes that with a dead nerve you may lose sensitivity to heat, cold or sweets, and you may feel pain when a dentist taps the tooth.
Signs the nerve may have died
These signs can point that way, though only a dentist can tell:
Pain that eases or disappears after a period of throbbing.
No reaction to hot, cold or sweets.
Pain when the tooth is tapped.
A tooth that changes color.
A red, swollen bump or pimple-like sore on the gum, which can be a sign of an abscess.
Why it still matters
Cleveland Clinic says that once the pulp tissue dies, a dentist must remove it, and that untreated infection can spread. Its listed complications include a tooth abscess and serious infections of the soft tissues, chest and jaw bone.
Options a dentist may talk through include root canal treatment or removing the tooth and replacing it later. Our comparison of root canal versus extraction can help you get ready for that talk.
Want this checked? You can request a visit online or call (770) 863-0005, and we will help find the earliest visit available.
When should you call a dentist right away?
Call a dentist as soon as you can if tooth pain comes with swelling, a bump on the gum, or pain that suddenly stops after days of throbbing. For swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing, a fever, or swelling that spreads across your face or neck, go to the ER or call 911.
Swelling in your gum, cheek or face.
A bad taste, or a bump on the gum that drains.
Pain that keeps you from sleeping, eating or working.
A tooth that hurts to tap or bite on.
Pain that suddenly stops after days of throbbing.
Call (770) 863-0005 and we will help find the earliest visit available. You can also read about our emergency dental care in Smyrna.
What kills nerve pain in a tooth?
Treating the cause of the pain is what actually stops it. Home steps may take the edge off for a short time, but they do not fix a cavity, crack or infection. Rinse with warm water, and follow the label on any over-the-counter pain reliever, checking with a pharmacist or doctor first if you are unsure.
Steps Cleveland Clinic lists for a toothache
Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water.
Use floss to gently remove any food that is lodged around the tooth.
If your face is swollen, hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek.
Swelling is a red flag, so call a dentist right away. Swelling that spreads across your face or neck, or comes with a fever or trouble breathing or swallowing, means the ER or 911.
Medication cautions
Cleveland Clinic says over-the-counter pain relievers can be used, and warns to never place aspirin or another painkiller directly against your gums or tooth, because it may burn the gum tissue. Ask a pharmacist or your doctor which product fits you, and follow the product label. If you are dealing with this at night, see how to stop a toothache at night.
What should I do if my tooth pain is unbearable?
Call a dentist as soon as you can and say the pain is severe. For swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing, a fever, or swelling that spreads across your face or neck, go to the ER or call 911 right away, even if you have not reached a dentist.
While you wait, rinse with warm water and follow the label on any over-the-counter pain reliever, checking with a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure.
What an ER can and cannot do
Cleveland Clinic notes that if a dental office is closed, the nearest emergency room can give antibiotics or pain relievers to ease pain and swelling, but it cannot do restorative dental work. You will still need a dentist to treat the tooth itself.
Do not wait it out
Waiting for the pain to pass can let the problem grow. If you have a cracked tooth, our post on how long you can wait to fix a cracked tooth covers what to watch for.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tooth nerve die without any pain?
The pain can stop once the nerve dies, and the tooth may no longer react to heat, cold or sweets. Cleveland Clinic says pain may stop if an infection causes the pulp inside a tooth to die, while the bacteria can keep spreading. A tooth that looks or feels different can still need care. A dentist can check with an exam and an X-ray.
What does a dead tooth look like?
A tooth with a dead nerve may change color. If an abscess forms, Cleveland Clinic says it usually looks like a red, swollen bump, boil or pimple on the gum. Looks alone cannot confirm a dead nerve, so only a dentist can tell whether the nerve has died.
Can a tooth with a dead nerve heal by itself?
No, sources say the dead pulp has to be removed by a dentist. Cleveland Clinic states that once the pulp tissue dies, your dentist must remove it. Waiting can let infection spread, so it is wise to have the tooth looked at.
Is a tooth pain that comes and goes still serious?
It can be. Pain that comes and goes may be an early warning that the tooth is inflamed. Cleveland Clinic advises talking to a dentist if you have any tooth pain or new sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks.
Does a dead nerve always mean I lose the tooth?
Not always. Cleveland Clinic lists root canal treatment as one option, and removing the tooth as another. Which one fits depends on how much of the tooth is still sound. You can read our comparison of a crown versus a root canal too.
Get the tooth looked at before it gets worse
You do not have to guess how long a tooth will hurt. If you are in pain, or the pain just stopped, book a visit online or call (770) 863-0005 and we will help find the earliest visit available. Our team, including Dr. Raheel Thobhani, is serving Smyrna and nearby Vinings, Mableton, Marietta and Austell. This is general information, not a diagnosis. A dentist needs to examine you to advise on your situation.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic on pulp necrosis, Cleveland Clinic on pulpitis, Cleveland Clinic on dental emergencies, and Cleveland Clinic on tooth abscess.
