If you’ve ever experienced a toothache, you know just how uncomfortable it can be. Whether it’s a sharp, throbbing pain or a dull ache, tooth pain often signals a problem that needs to be addressed promptly. But what happens if your toothache suddenly disappears? While it might seem like a relief, this sudden disappearance of pain could be a warning sign of a more serious issue hidden beneath the radar. Here’s why a toothache might go away on its own and why contacting your emergency dentist quickly is your best option.
What Does It Mean If a Toothache Goes Away?
The intense pain felt due to a toothache is your body’s way of telling you that there’s something seriously wrong with one or more of your teeth. Unfortunately, once the problem arises, it won’t normally disappear on its own – even if the pain suddenly seems to vanish. Here is a breakdown of how tooth pain can start and then suddenly subside:
- Tooth decay has traveled to the sensitive inner area of the tooth, called the pulp, where the nerves are housed.
- The infection attacks the nerves, which trigger the initial pain that’s felt.
- If not addressed, the infection eventually destroys the nerves, causing the pain to subside.
- The infection can then travel to other parts of the mouth, like the jaw, and trigger new pain.
- This can even lead to jawbone damage that causes tooth loss.
- Over time, the infection can travel to other systems in the body and cause health complications.
What Should I Do If My Toothache Disappears?
The moment you experience a toothache, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist – this is the best way to prevent serious problems from worsening. But if your toothache goes away, it’s important to not ignore it and shrug this off as normal.
If your pain has vanished, contact your dentist and inform them of the situation. Once they’ve had the chance to examine your tooth, they can determine what was causing the pain and why the pain has stopped before administering treatment. You should also pay close attention to other symptoms, such as swelling, a foul taste in your mouth, or fever. These can be symptoms of an infection or abscess and may require urgent treatment. Also keep a very close eye on the tooth that was feeling pain and note any increase or changes in symptoms.
A disappearing toothache might feel like a welcome break from discomfort, but it can actually be a sign of something quite serious – meaning that ignoring the issue is never wise.
About the Practice
The team at Transforming Smiles has proudly served the Lawrenceville, GA community for several years under the talented leadership of Dr. Bruce Carter, offering a wide range of services including emergency dentistry for those with urgent needs. If you have any questions about the blog or if you or a loved one has sustained a dental injury, please contact our practice for more information or assistance. Telephone: (770) 995-7616.