Lately, you’ve been dealing with a severe toothache that makes it difficult to sleep, eat, and go about your day without feeling uncomfortable. After dealing with this issue for a while, it suddenly goes away! While your first inclination may be to celebrate, this may actually be a sign that the issue has worsened. Read on to learn what it means when a toothache suddenly disappears, what you should do if this happens, and ways your dentist can treat the issue.
Why Do Toothaches Go Away on Their Own?
There are many things that can cause toothaches, including cavities, sensitivity, gum disease, and infections. Even so, dental decay is one of the more common causes of toothaches. Tooth pulp, which is the center of a tooth, is comprised of connective tissue, blood vessels, and cells. Since this is where the nerves are located, decay that makes it to this part of the tooth causes significant pain.
Left untreated, the decay will eventually damage the nerves to the point where they stop sending pain signals to the brain. This is why a toothache may seem to disappear out of nowhere. Though the lack of pain may seem like a good thing, this doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. The infection will continue to attack the surrounding tissues, which will cause severe damage to your teeth, gums, and jawbone.
What to Do If Your Toothache Suddenly Disappears
If your toothache suddenly faded away, reach out to your emergency dentist. Since this is a sign that the infection is getting worse, your emergency dentist will need to treat the tooth as soon as possible to keep the damage from spreading. If you don’t contact your dentist for help, you may need to have the tooth extracted. Infections that spread to other parts of the body can even be life-threatening.
How Your Dentist Can Treat It
The sooner you contact your dentist, the better your chances are of saving the tooth with a root canal. Though root canal therapy has gained an unfair reputation of being unpleasant, this treatment is designed to save the tooth by removing the infected pulp. During this treatment, your dentist will make a hole in the tooth so they can access the infection and remove the tissue. It will then be replaced with a biocompatible material, usually gutta-percha. A filling or crown will then be placed over the tooth to protect it and prevent further infection. A local anesthetic is used during treatment, and most patients who undergo root canals report experiencing little to no discomfort.
Though your dentist will always do what they can to save the tooth, it may not always be possible. Some infections are too bad for a root canal to fix. If the tooth is damaged beyond repair, an extraction may be necessary. Once you’ve healed, discuss replacement options with your dentist to keep your smile and jawbone healthy.
If your toothache disappears, you’re not out of the woods yet. Contact your dentist as soon as possible to receive treatment and get back to having a healthy smile!
About the Practice
If you have a toothache that needs treating, Columbus Dental Arts can administer exceptional oral health services to ease your discomfort. Whether your dental pain is consistent or disappears out of nowhere, they can get to the root of the issue and help you get back to enjoying your bright, beautiful, and pain-free smile. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment with Columbus Dental Arts or want more information on what it means if a toothache suddenly goes away, call their office at (609) 324-9500 or visit their website.