PLEASE URGENT HELP! tooth nerve ending exposed and dangling?

Question

I lost my canine tooth (top row, 3rd from the middle, on the left side) about 3-4 years ago. Right now it hurts me (it didnt hurt me until about 2 weeks ago)

there seems to be a nerve ending dangling from where my tooth once was. it really hurts and bothers me (i do not have a dental plan, im afraid of the cost)

i have been dabbing it with hydrogen peroxide, swishing with mouth wash or salt water, and brushing it, but it wont go away.

What is this thing? is it a nerve ending like i think it is? what can i do to get rid of it/make it stop hurting? why is it hurting all of a sudden? about how much money is the procedure to get rid of this? (also what is it called?)

(i am trying to avoid the dentist at all costs but will go if i really need to)

Any help is much appreciated, but i'd prefer a dentist, or someone that works in the dental profession, id also prefer sources if you have them.

thank you in advance.

Answer 1

1st answer not true first off! The nerve that extends into the tooth starts in a nerve deep within the jaw and cheek muscles.

If you have lost a tooth, and there is something hanging out of the hole, and you are in pain... GO TO THE DENTIST! Obviously you do not want to hear this... but as a nurse, I have to tell you GO!!! That nerve, and it's blood supply, are connected to your jaw, face, neck muscles... and yes, eventually your brain (through the blood)! Infection is a very real and very serious issue here!  

Answer 2

It can't be a nerve if you lot the tooth (the tooth fell out by whatever means).  The nerve of the tooth is contained within the tooth so, if the tooth is gone, so is the nerve.  Maybe it's a piece of your gum that's hanging.

I totally understand about not having the money for a dentist.  I don't either.  I don't have dental insurance either.  But, sometimes your teeth don't care about that.  Right now, I had to have emergency root canal work done, whether I could afford it or not.  Also, by waiting and not doing things when they should be done, you can actually wind up spending more money!  For instance, years ago, I had to have root canal in a back molar.  Then they put in a temporary filling and I was to go back to get a crown.  Well, I couldn't afford it so I didn't ever go back.  Know what happened now?  The tooth just broke apart and I never felt anything was going wrong because the root canal removed all the nerves so I had no pain.  Now, I have just points of that tooth at the gum line and a big gap between the teeth back there.  NOW, I have to have that tooth pulled and will have to have a bridge -- that entails 2 crowns (one on each side of the missing tooth) and whatever they do where the missing tooth is.  So, I really saved a lot by not going back in the first place, right?

You might try looking up a dental school.  They do dental work at minimal costs.  Also you might try researching dental "plans".  The one I have is United Health Plan.  It doesn't pay all the costs but it discounts them.  For instance, my root canal should have been close to $700 but they only charged me a little over $300 because I have this plan.  Just Google in, "Dental Plans".  Since I don't know where you live, I can't suggest a plan that applies in your area.  By the way, mine costs $140 for a couple annually.  Was worth it.

P.S. to Robin who answered after I did --- if the tooth that you lost was your canine tooth, that's located on the top.  How can that be connected to your jaw?