Please explain the NERVE of a molar.

[dopeysgem]

Is there a connection between nerve pain in a lower molar and correlating pain on the side of the tongue next to that molar?

For three months after a filling in a lower molar, I experienced nerve pain in the tooth as well as irritation on the side of the tongue next to that tooth. When the nerve pain finally subsided, so did the tongue pain.

I experienced nerve pain in another molar on the other side of the mouth recently that lasted about a week. During that week, the same irritation formed on the side of the tongue next to that tooth.

It can’t be a coincidence that the irritated nerve of a tooth not only affects the tooth, but possibly how the side of the tongue feels as well.

Can anyone confirm this connection? I’ve been to my regular dentist and a root canal specialist and neither could figure out the tongue pain. But it appears to stop when the nearby tooth is not irritated.

 

[Dr M]

There is definitely a correlation. All the nerves, especially on the same side, are interconnected with each other. The inferior alveolar nerve that supplies molars, has a neighboring branch, called the lingual nerve, which supplies the tongue. They stem from a common origin in the Trigeminal Nerve Ganglion.

 

[dopeysgem]

Thank you!!! It makes complete sense! But how does my dentist and root canal specialist not know this?!?!?

I appreciate the validation. Thank you again!

 

[dopeysgem]

Thank you!!! It makes complete sense! But how does my dentist and root canal specialist not know this?!?!?

I appreciate the validation. Thank you again!

Can the nerves you mentioned take many months to heal after being irritated from dental work?

I stopped using an electric toothbrush on that tooth to see if it made an improvement, and I noticed the pain is almost all resolved with occasional flareups once in a while rather than every day.

What else could be prolonging the pain? Eating? My Waterpik? Grinding?

Could it be caused by too thin enamel?

The uncertainty of whether the tooth is healing or dying is awful. Your help and knowledge is appreciated.

 

[Dr M]

Nerve damage is very unpredictable. It can take from days to months to heal. Grinding could contribute to nerve pain. For this you would have to start with a occlusal guard to wear at night. Thin enamel, with exposed dentin, leads to a more sensitive type of pain, when exposed to certain stimuli, such as cold or heat.