Sometimes, patients will tell their dentists that a toothache seemed like it popped up out of nowhere. While this can certainly happen sometimes due to damage, it’s just as likely that there’s been a long-standing infection within the tooth that has reached a critical point.
Funnily enough, patients also sometimes notice that deeply uncomfortable toothaches suddenly disappear, almost as suddenly as they showed up. While this may feel like a relief, it also rarely tells the whole story about what’s happened. Here’s what a toothache suddenly disappearing actually means.
What Does it Mean if a Toothache Disappears?
It’s worth noting right from the start that everyone is different, and it’s impossible to determine exactly why your toothache has disappeared without knowing the particulars of your situation, just like it’s hard to tell what caused the toothache without meeting you in person.
That said, it’s actually fairly common for toothaches that are caused by infection to suddenly stop hurting one day. Unfortunately, it really isn’t a good sign.
When a tooth has been subject to extreme decay, the bacteria in the mouth can begin to attack the root tissue, which is known as pulpitis. This causes a pretty significant toothache, and it’s usually when the condition reaches this point that people reach out to an emergency dentist.
However, after enough time, the bacteria will attack the tissue in the root pulp to such an extent that the nerves are completely destroyed. When this happens, you’ll no longer be able to feel the tooth that has the infection, meaning you no longer have a toothache. This is despite the fact that the infection is more serious than ever.
Do I Still Need to Treat My Tooth?
Yes. It is vitally important that you still see your dentist about a toothache, even if you can no longer feel it. While the pain is gone, the infection is still very much present, and it has the potential to spread to even more of your teeth if you don’t do anything about it. There are also threats to the tooth itself—if nothing is done, it may fall out.
If you have a root canal or extraction scheduled, you should make it a point to keep that appointment. And if you don’t, you should call your dentist immediately to see if they can schedule an emergency appointment for you.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Weise has been practicing dentistry since 1983, and while a lot about his field has changed since then, his commitment to helping his patients smile hasn’t. He makes use of cutting-edge dental technology to ensure that the restorations he creates are always high-quality. Dr. Weise received his degree from the Baylor College of Dentistry, and in the interest of staying at the top of his field, he maintains membership in both the American Dental Association and the Dallas Study Club.
If you have any questions about toothaches, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (972) 414-7195.