Many of us have had the unfortunate experience of having a toothache. A toothache is a sign that something isn’t right. Often, it means that advanced decay has reached the sensitive inner area of the tooth, resulting in pain. However, when does it mean if your toothache goes away? Are you in the clear? Not necessarily. Continue reading to learn why toothaches can disappear and what you should do about it.
What Does It Mean When a Toothache Disappears?
When you are experiencing intense tooth pain, it is likely a sign that you have a serious infection that needs to be treated. However, it is possible that when it progresses enough, the toothache suddenly goes away. Here’s what that process looks like.
- Decay progresses, traveling to the inner pulp of the tooth.
- The infection attack the sensitive nerves within the tooth, triggering intense pain.
- The infection destroys the nerves over time, causing the pain to go away.
- The infection can then travel to other parts of the mouth, including the jawbone, causing additional pain.
- Damage to the jawbone leads to more teeth becoming infected and even tooth loss.
What Should I Do If I Have a Toothache?
If your tooth is causing you significant discomfort, you should give your dentist a call as soon as you can to schedule an emergency visit. This way, they can take a look at the tooth and determine the cause of your pain. With this, they can put together a treatment plan to meet your needs and restore your smile to health.
How Are Toothaches Treated?
The way your tooth is treated depends on the severity of the decay. If the tooth decay is minor, it can usually be addressed with a dental filling. However, if your tooth becomes infected, your dentist may be able to salvage it with root canal treatment. This involves removing the infected tissue from inside the tooth, cleaning it, then filling and sealing it with a dental filling and dental crown. If the infection has progressed too far and your tooth cannot be saved, your dentist will need to perform a tooth extraction to preserve the health of the rest of your smile.
If you have a toothache, or your toothache has suddenly subsided, give your dental a call. This way, they can examine the situation and put together a plan to meet your needs.
About the Author
Dr. Ben A. Sutter earned his dental doctorate from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. Since then, he has been committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. Currently, he is a proud member of the Academy of General Dentistry, The International College of Cranio-Mandibular Orthopedics, and more! To learn more about emergency dentistry or to schedule an appointment at his office in Eugene, visit his website or call (541) 484-1955.