A toothache is never a welcome feeling. Intense dental pain can make it hard to sleep, chew, and to just get through the day. There are several things that can cause toothaches, such as tooth infections. If the tooth suddenly stops hurting, you may take this as a good sign. This means that it’s cured, right? Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Read on to learn what it means when a toothache suddenly goes away and what you should do if this happens to you.
Why Do Toothaches Go Away on Their Own?
Cavities form when the bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar in the foods and drinks you consume and release acid that attacks your enamel. If a cavity is left untreated for too long, the decay can become serious and may end up leading to an infection. Gum disease may also lead to an infection in the tooth. Unlike some other types of infections, one in the tooth can’t be fixed with antibiotics.
The infection is located in the tooth pulp, which is comprised of blood vessels, connective tissue, nerves, and cells. When an infection gets bad enough, the nerves will eventually be damaged so much that they will stop sending pain signals to the brain. As a result, the toothache will stop. Even so, the infection will continue to damage the surrounding tissues.
What to Do If Your Toothache Suddenly Disappears
If your toothache suddenly stops, contact your emergency dentist as soon as you can. They will need to administer prompt treatment to keep the infection from spreading and harming other parts of your mouth. If you don’t reach out to your dentist for help, the infection may even get into the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening condition called sepsis.
How Root Canal Therapy Can Help
The only way to treat a tooth infection is with a root canal. Though many people think that root canal therapy is unpleasant, it has gained an unfair reputation over the years. This treatment stops pain, not causes it. Your dentist will also administer a local anesthetic before starting the procedure so you remain comfortable throughout.
During the procedure, your dentist removes the infected pulp, which includes the nerves. This means that the tooth will no longer be able to feel pain. They will then clean the tooth out and fill it with a rubber-like, biocompatible material called gutta-percha. A crown or filling will then be used to protect the tooth and prevent further damage.
What If It’s Too Late for a Root Canal?
If you wait too long to receive treatment for an infected tooth, a root canal will no longer be an option. In this case, your dentist will need to extract the tooth. They will always do what they can to save the tooth, but sometimes an infection is the only way to protect your smile. You will also need to have it replaced to prevent shifting teeth and other oral health issues.
A disappearing toothache without treatment isn’t a good sign. If this happens to you, make sure to reach out to your dentist. Prompt treatment is the best way to save the tooth and regain a healthy, pain-free beam!
About the Practice
Dr. Dan Passidomo began practicing dentistry in 1996. He now leads the skilled, compassionate team of Centerville oral health professionals at Columbus Dental Arts who enjoy using their expertise in the field to help patients maintain healthy beams. If you want to learn more about the services Columbus Dental Arts offers or more information on what makes a toothache suddenly stop, you can call them at (609) 324-9500 or visit their website today.