A toothache can ruin your day and make it difficult for you to eat your favorite foods. However, getting to the dentist for treatment is not always easy, especially if you have a demanding schedule. You might keep delaying your appointment — and in the meantime, your toothache could disappear. Should you conclude that you do not need to see the dentist after all? No. In fact, a disappearing toothache could actually mean that you are headed for a dental emergency in Abington.
Why Toothaches Disappear
There are a few different reasons why a toothache might suddenly vanish. For example, you might have something lodged between your teeth that eventually works its way free. It is also possible that you have a small cavity or mild gum recession, both of which can cause intermittent pain. These types of issues warrant a visit to your dentist, though they are not necessarily emergencies. Your dentist will check your teeth for damage and provide necessary treatment before the problem becomes severe.
In a worst-case scenario, a toothache disappears because the tooth has died. In these situations, the problem might begin as a severe, throbbing toothache — much more painful than a small cavity or gum recession. The discomfort occurs because the tooth’s innermost layer has become damaged or infected, causing the tooth’s nerve to send pain signals to your brain. If the pain suddenly stops, it does not mean the infection has gone away. Rather, it probably means that the nerve inside the tooth has died. The infection could continue to spread and affect nearby tissues. It could even cause systemic illness.
What You Should Do
If you had a severe toothache that is now gone, or you are currently suffering from such a toothache, it would be wise to schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist. They will assess the damage to your oral health and recommend an appropriate treatment.
Root canal therapy might be able to preserve your tooth. During this procedure, your dentist cleans the infected tissue out of the tooth, removes the nerve, and then fills in the tooth with a special material. Later, the tooth may receive a crown to protect it from further damage. You might also need antibiotic therapy to manage the infection.
If the damage to the tooth is particularly severe, extraction may be the best course of action. After your mouth heals, it might be possible to replace the tooth with a bridge or dental implant.
A disappearing toothache is not a cause for celebration — rather, it is often a cause for concern. Your emergency dentist is ready to help you deal with the problem and minimize the damage to your oral health.
Meet the Practice
Abington Family Dental Care is proud to feature an expansive team of general dentists and specialists. We are often able to see emergency patients on a same-day basis, and we strive to provide comfortable, conservative care. If you are concerned about a toothache, we are ready to serve you. Contact us at 781-417-3052.