What Does It Mean If My Toothache Suddenly Disappears?

The world can come to a screeching halt when you’re suffering from a toothache! But tooth pain isn’t just debilitating and uncomfortable; it’s confusing! Sometimes the cause is obvious, like a damaged or decayed tooth, and other times, it takes a little detective work to get to the root of the issue. But have you ever had a toothache that just seemed to vanish for no apparent reason? Even though this might seem like a cause for celebration, it isn’t! Here’s more from your dentist about why toothaches in Owings Mills can occur and what it means the pain suddenly disappears.

What Causes Tooth Pain?

Simply put, tooth pain means that there’s a problem inside of your mouth. This pain can stem from a variety of reasons such as decay, an abscessed tooth, infected gums, or more—yet cavities are actually the most common culprits!

When tooth decay progresses and forms a cavity in the deepest layer of the tooth, known as the pulp, the tooth’s sensitive nerve endings are exposed, which in turn sends pain signals to your brain. Chipped or fractured teeth are also extra vulnerable to bacteria, and sometimes infections can develop that completely obliterate the delicate nerve endings. If this happens, the tooth pain might subside—but your tooth is in danger of being lost permanently!

What Should I Do If My Toothache Goes Away on Its Own?

Under normal circumstances, a toothache won’t simply vanish—the pain is merely a symptom of the problem, not the actual problem! If your tooth pain has suddenly disappeared on its own, you shouldn’t rejoice too much or shrug it off; instead, contact and visit your emergency dentist as soon as you can.

If the tooth’s pulp is under duress, failure to seek treatment can result in the tooth becoming unsalvageable and requiring extraction. Not only that, but the infection can spread to other areas of your mouth including your gums and jawbone. It can even enter your bloodstream and threaten your whole body!

One common go-to procedure in these situations is root canal therapy. Despite what you’ve maybe heard through the grapevine about root canals, they aren’t scary or painful at all. In fact, they give your tooth the best chance of survival! Your dentist will tunnel into the tooth to remove the infected pulp before sanitizing and sealing it up with a dental crown; this keeps the tooth in your mouth where it belongs, while also addressing the root of the issue as well as your discomfort.

With other parts of your body, pain subsiding is usually a good sign; but this is not the case with toothaches! If you’ve recently noticed that your toothache has suddenly vanished, don’t hesitate to let your dentist know.

About the Practice

The team at Dolfield Dental of Owings Mills is honored to serve the dental needs of the Owings Mills community under the leadership of Dr. Jacob Milner and Dr. Cynthia Miller. Their practice is proud to offer a wide range of services including preventive, cosmetic, restorative options and more. If you or a loved one is suffering from a persistent toothache, don’t hesitate to call to schedule an appointment: (410) 902-4110.