If you’re suffering from a toothache, it’s natural to wonder whether your situation constitutes a dental emergency. When it comes to your teeth, however, no pain is considered normal and should be assessed sooner rather than later. There are several possible causes, and your dentist must determine the culprit before your condition progresses.
If the throbbing suddenly dissipates, though, it’s easy to assume that the problem must have resolved itself. Unfortunately, that’s not usually the case. Dental issues tend to only get worse in time and don’t typically clear up on their own.
Continue reading to learn why it’s important that you see your dentist even if your toothache fades!
What Caused My Toothache?
There are many potential reasons you might have experienced this discomfort, but the most common one is bacterial infection. If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, germs can penetrate all the way into the roots which can cause pain and inflammation. Some other potential causes include:
- Cracked or fractured teeth.
- Loose or broken restorations.
- Chronic teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Gum disease.
- Physical trauma or injury.
What Does It Mean If My Toothache Goes Away?
It’s normal to want to believe the issue simply went away if your persistent or severe toothache suddenly fades, but that’s usually not the case. The truth is that in many instances, it’s an indicator that your tooth’s condition is deteriorating.
Sensitive nerves in the pulp inside your tooth are impacted when they become infected or irritated. This is likely what caused the toothache in the first place. If the infection is left unaddressed, it can get so bad that it destroys the nerves entirely, so they can no longer feel anything. In time, it can travel to your jawbone, which can trigger new discomfort and eventually lead to tooth loss.
How Will My Dentist Treat My Tooth?
Most providers will try to preserve your tooth if possible, so they will likely recommend a root canal. This procedure involves creating a small opening in the affected tooth to remove the infected materials. Then, they’ll sterilize your tooth and fill the hole so that additional bacteria can’t get in. They usually cap this with a dental crown that shields your tooth from further harm and preserves its functionality.
If your tooth is overly damaged, though, your dentist may need to extract it and replace it instead.
Whatever the reason for your toothache, it’s important that you schedule an appointment with your dentist to address it right away so that you don’t put your oral health at risk!
About the Practice
At the Dental Group of Jefferson, you and your family benefit from two skilled dentists who offer various services from several convenient locations to meet all your dental needs. They take the time to get to know you so that they can monitor your dental condition and take action as soon as a problem arises. They utilize state-of-the-art technology to increase patient comfort as well as provide fully individualized treatments. If you’re in an urgent situation, they offer same-day appointments so that you don’t have to wait for relief. If you have a toothache and need help, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (440) 576-7040.