You’ve been thinking of seeing a dentist to finally deal with your toothache, but then one day the pain seems to disappear entirely. That can only mean that the problem has taken care of itself, right? Wrong. A toothache that goes away on its own is far from a good sign; in fact, it likely means you need to call your emergency dentist more than ever. Here’s why you shouldn’t relax if your tooth pain suddenly vanishes.
What Does It Mean If a Toothache Has Disappeared?
More often than not, a toothache is caused by damage to the nerve inside the dental pulp. The pulp contains all of the tooth’s soft tissues, blood vessels, and nerves. If bacteria create decay that penetrates into the pulp, the infection will create pain. Other causes can be trauma to the teeth from falls or hits to the face or from prolonged grinding or clenching. Fractures of the root can create pain that comes and goes, and the fracture allows bacteria into the pulp to cause an infection.
What Should You Do If Your Toothache Disappears?
If you haven’t already had a dentist examine the tooth in question, a disappearing toothache is your signal to schedule an appointment immediately. Explain the situation to the dentist’s team and let them know exactly what symptoms you experienced before the pain stopped. They will arrange to see you as soon as possible and can give you advice for protecting your tooth in the meantime.
An advanced infection that has already killed the dental pulp may call for root canal therapy. A root canal involves removing the infected tissue and thoroughly sterilizing the inside of the tooth. It’s often your only chance to get rid of the source of the problem while still saving the natural tooth.
Tooth extraction is the last resort for treating a dental infection. It’s typically only done if the damage to the tooth is so severe that it can no longer be salvaged. If the tooth does need to be removed, your dentist will let you know what your options for replacing it are.
A toothache is usually a sign that your oral health is at risk, and you should never assume that it’s safe to ignore the problem even if the pain stops. Call your dentist immediately if you have any reason to think there’s a problem with your tooth.
About the Author
Dr. John E. Petty is a proud Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, and he has served twice as the General Chairman of the Annual Session of the Tennessee Dental Association. His practice, Petty Dental, offers emergency treatments for patients with severe toothaches or signs of dental infection. To schedule an appointment or learn more about his emergency services, visit his website or call (931) 454-9499.