So that you know something is wrong....

Also - you might actually miss the *normal* feelings from tehm. 'Dead' is not usually an advantage.


Fuzzyman | Homepage | 11.02.05 - 7:41 am | #

Those nerves are also probably needed to tell your brain how hard you are biting something
Anonymous | 11.02.05 - 8:20 am | #

Manage the force you bite with. They are VERY sensitive to pressure changes caused by very small movements by teeth and gums from biting and chewing.

If you didn't have those nerves you'd have trouble eating and cause damage to your teeth by chipping and breaking them.
Straw Dogs Python | Homepage | 11.02.05 - 9:36 am | #

But asides from the clever answers.... you have my sympathy. :-(

I'm just recovering from a painful filling nearly three weeks ago. Not much fun.

Besides which - I personally believe that something *similar* to intelligent design is not unlikely... so chew on that.
Fuzzyman | Homepage | 11.02.05 - 9:52 am | #

I'm still not convinced that these nerves actually have a function. As far as I'm aware, my teeth don't feel *anything* when chewing (unless they have fillings). I have had root canals before, which essentially kill the nerve, so there's no feeling left in the tooth. It seems to make no difference whatsoever when eating or when you tap against it.

That's my point: you only "use" these nerves when there's something wrong with the tooth. But what can you do about it? In modern times, it's possible to fix it. But in the olden days, there was pretty much nothing you could do to fix it, short of pulling it (which was often a life-threatening operation). It's not like you can apply a healing salve or just take the sucker out easily or painlessly.

Other kinds of pain have a function, and make evolutionary sense. You touch the fire, get a burn, maybe better not do that. That animal bites you, maybe it's best to leave it alone. My muscles ache; maybe it's time to rest. Etc. But I don't see what the sense is in having a toothache. Sure, it tells you something is wrong, but until recently there was no corrective action you could take.

The way I see it, the nerves in teeth are a source of unnecessary pain and have no useful function. And no, I'm *not* having a toothache as I write this.

Edited By Siteowner
Hans Nowak | Homepage | 11.02.05 - 12:25 pm | #

As one without his two front teeth, and 1 out of 4 of the nerves missing from the teeth now taking their place, I'll add some insight.

Damn you know how to touch a nerve with that biting conmment. (Just kidding, but you seem to be asking for some wordplay). On with the chatter..

Root canals remove the root entirely. Without feeling in my teeth I have the freekiest sensations when my sinus' are stuffed--it seems as if my teeth are loose. No nerves add a paranoia of busting teeth every time you accidentally get conked by a thrashing toddler or mis-bite. Root canals aren't fun, my condolences. I hope you've got a modern dentist who has tools to ensure the root has been rooted. My first justified his price with some sensor (and took great offense to my asking his recourse if he busted off the crown he was drilling through), and my second had a digital x-ray camera that was much more satisfying, especially when he was determining if the filling was sized and set in right.

Having lost my nerves long before consideration of such things, I don't know if it helps in pre-testing hot liquid tempurature.
DeanG | Homepage | 11.02.05 - 10:12 pm | #