Problems Living with a Numb Tooth

The numbness that you feel in your gums or mouth may be sudden or may be a slowly growing numb sensation, but no matter how fast or slow the numbness kicks in, it is something that you should consult with your dentist or doctor.

If you are brushing your teeth, or flossing between the gaps, and you are not feeling any sensation, then that is a big red flag. A tooth should never go numb! Teeth can die, literally.

Your teeth actually have blood vessels and nerves. It is just like any part of your body, like the nails of your fingers and your hair; it can still be a source of pain if force is applied. That is why, if no sensation is present, that is a symptom of quite a myriad of things.

The tooth is comprised of layers, with the outer layer a material called “enamel”. Then you have the dentin, and inside your tooth is something that is known as “pulp”. The pulp is the living tissue that is made up of the blood vessels and nerves.

Pulp can die for a variety of reasons, but the primary cause of it is due to a major infection. An infection can arise from tooth decay or gum disease, and sometimes an abscess (an infection with a pocket of pus) may become visible. It’s urgent that you treat this infection immediately, not only for the sake of your tooth, but for your overall wellbeing.

What Can Happen With a Numb Tooth?
Not only is a numb tooth uncomfortable, it is symptomatic of a lot of problems that are probably coming, or problems that have already come. First, it is a sign of bad dental hygiene.

This may be due to not having enough time to brush your teeth or even just brushing your teeth in the wrong way. The important thing to know is that most of the time the culprit is tooth decay.

This may also be due to an impacted tooth or some injuries to the nerves. Lastly, even abscesses, infections at the root of your teeth, can be the cause of your numb tooth.

What most people do not know though is that numbness of teeth can be a cause of other more dangerous health problems like a heart attack, a sinus infection or even due to diabetes and other diseases related to your nerves or your central nervous system.

Do not ignore any numbness in your mouth. If it lasts for quite some time, give us a visit and let us take care of that for you. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (903) 231-6605 today.