Nobody likes a toothache, especially when it seems to hit out of nowhere. But what happens if the pain suddenly goes away? You may assume that if your tooth no longer hurts, the problem has resolved itself. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. In fact, a toothache that disappears can sometimes be a sign that the underlying issue has become more serious. Here’s why you shouldn’t ignore a toothache, even if it stops hurting.
Pain Doesn’t Always Reflect the Severity of the Problem
Tooth pain is your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t right. It may be caused by a cavity, a cracked tooth, gum disease, or an infection inside the tooth. While some minor sources of sensitivity may improve on their own, many dental problems do not.
In some cases, the pain may come and go depending on what you’re eating or drinking. The absence of pain doesn’t necessarily mean the tooth is healthy.
The Nerve May Have Died
One possible reason a severe toothache suddenly disappears is that the nerve inside the tooth has died. This can happen when an untreated cavity or infection reaches the pulp, the soft tissue that contains the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels.
As the nerve tissue dies, it can no longer send pain signals, so the discomfort fades. However, the bacteria causing the infection often remain and may continue spreading to the surrounding bone and tissues.
Without treatment, the infection can become more serious and may eventually lead to swelling, an abscess, or even tooth loss.
The Problem Can Continue to Progress
Even if you’re no longer experiencing pain, the underlying cause of the toothache may still be worsening. A cavity won’t heal on its own, and a cracked tooth won’t repair itself. Likewise, gum disease and dental infections typically continue to progress unless treated by a dental professional.
Delaying care because the pain has stopped can result in more extensive and costly treatment later.
Don’t Wait to See Your Dentist
If you’ve recently had a toothache, even one that has disappeared, it’s important to schedule a dental appointment. Your dentist can examine the tooth, take X-rays if necessary, and determine whether treatment is needed.
Depending on the cause, treatment may involve a filling, dental crown, root canal therapy, or another procedure to preserve your tooth and eliminate any infection.
While it’s certainly a relief when a toothache goes away, it’s not a guarantee that the problem has gone away. In some cases, disappearing pain is actually a warning sign that the tooth’s nerve has been damaged or that an infection is progressing unnoticed. The safest approach is to have any tooth that has recently caused pain evaluated by your dentist.
About the Practice
Sometimes life throws you a curveball, and sometimes it comes in the form of a dental emergency. If that’s the case, our husband-and-wife team at JL Dental, Drs. Jonathan and Laura Mears, urge you to advantage of our same-day emergency appointments and get to our office as soon as possible! Our goal is to get you the prompt relief you deserve. We’ll evaluate your condition, explain your options, and create a custom treatment plan. Don’t delay if you’re in pain. Call our Arnold, MO office at (636) 464-6668 for immediate assistance or schedule an appointment through our website.