Why Did My Toothache Disappear?

You’ve been suffering from a toothache, but suddenly it goes away! What a relief. You are so glad that it’s behind you and you won’t need to put up with it any longer. Wrong! Unfortunately, this isn’t usually the case. There are many different reasons that you could have a toothache, but if it disappears without reason, this isn’t a good sign. Toothaches are generally and indication that something isn’t right, and you need treatment from your dentist. Continue reading to learn about what is going on in your mouth and what you should do if this situation happens to you.

How Is It Possible for a Toothache to Disappear on Its Own?

If you have a toothache, chances are that something is wrong. It could be a result of sensitivity, a cavity, periodontal disease, or another type of infection. If you have a cavity that works its way to the center of your tooth, it can become excruciatingly painful. However, after time it will eventually kill the nerves in your tooth which causes the discomfort to disappear. Even though it feels better, your tooth is still in jeopardy.

Should You See a Dentist If Your Toothache Disappears

If the nerves at the center of your tooth have been killed because a cavity was left untreated, you should see your dentist immediately. If you don’t, you will likely lose your tooth. This infection could also spread to surrounding areas in your mouth and even reach the bone that holds your teeth into place. This severe, highly painful infection could become life-threatening if it spreads to other areas of the body and affects your vital organs. You may feel tough, like you can withstand the pain, but avoiding dental attention will only make the situation worse. The only way to put an end to it is by getting treatment.

How Does a Dentist Treat an Infected Tooth?

If the infection is severe, the tooth may need to be extracted. However, your dentist may determine that your tooth can be saved through root canal therapy. Root canals have a bad rep of being painful, but the truth is that with modern dental technology, it’s usually no worse that a deep filling. Because your dentist administers a local anesthetic, you will hardly feel a thing! During this procedure, they will remove the infected pulp and nerve in the center of your tooth, clean it out, and seal it. This prevents the infection from spreading to other areas of your mouth and saves the tooth.

It may feel like everything is okay when your toothache goes away, but it’s even more important that you see your dentist! You could be preventing serious oral health issues in the future. Getting it treated now is the best thing you can do.

About the Author

Dr. Matt VanderMolen provides a wide variety of services, including emergency dental treatment, at his practice in Springfield, IL. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Illinois and has gained over three decades of experience. He is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Dental Association and the Illinois State Dental Society. For more information or to schedule an emergency appointment, visit his website or call (217) 546-3333.