My Tooth Stopped Hurting; Do I Still Need a Root Canal?

Toothaches are incredibly unpleasant experiences involving sharp, throbbing pain requiring emergency dental attention. However, some people suffering from toothache may find that it suddenly disappears before they can get to the dentist’s office. If this happens to you, don’t let it trick you into a false sense of security. Here’s why you might still need a root canal if your toothache unexpectedly vanishes.

What Causes a Toothache?

Your mouth is full of billions of bacteria, and some of them are more harmful than others. Tooth decay begins with an infection in the enamel called a cavity that will not get better without professional intervention. If it is allowed to progress, a cavity will breach the tooth’s outer layers of enamel and dentin and infect the pulp at the center. At this point, the toothache begins.

The pulp of a tooth contains both nerve endings and blood vessels. When it is infected, the pulp becomes inflamed, causing sharp pain by putting pressure on the nerve endings. The rhythmic expansion and constriction of the blood vessels constantly increase and decrease this pressure, causing the throbbing sensation.

Why Did My Toothache Go Away?

If this pulp infection is allowed to continue, it will eventually infect and kill the nerve endings. Without any nerve endings, your tooth will no longer have any means to send distress signals to the brain, and you will no longer experience any pain from the infection. This is the calm before the storm.

If the infection continues to go untreated, the blood vessels within the pulp can spread these bacteria to other parts of the body where they can cause potentially life-threatening secondary infections like sepsis. The bacteria that cause tooth decay can also spread to other teeth where they can begin the process of decay again. If anything, a toothache disappearing gives you even more reason to get to the dentist as soon as possible.

What Is a Root Canal?

Modern root canals are common and painless procedures that can save a tooth from extraction. The process begins with a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and keep the patient comfortable. The dentist will then remove the infected pulp before sanitizing the interior of the tooth and sealing any breaches leading into it. This will prevent any future infections. The tooth will then be restored with a dental filling or a dental crown, leaving it looking as good as new.

Receiving a root canal is far more pleasant than suffering through the consequences of an untreated toothache. You will be able to resume smiling painlessly that same day, and getting to the dentist sooner increases your chances of achieving the best possible result.

About the Author

Dr. Hiren H. Shah completed his dental doctorate at New York University and has accrued over one thousand hours of advanced education. He currently serves as a proud member of the American Dental Association and the New Jersey Dental Association. His office in Edison, NJ offers general, cosmetic, emergency, and restorative dentistry such as root canal treatments. If you are currently experiencing a toothache or if it has recently disappeared, dial (908) 834-8448. If you would like to schedule an appointment, contact the office online.