Severe tooth pain is often a symptom that sends people scrambling to call or visit their dentist, but what happens when that pain suddenly goes away without a trace? Many patients breathe a sigh of relief, assuming that the problem has solved itself. Unfortunately, when it comes to dental infections, a lack of pain isn’t always a good sign; in fact, it can even mean the opposite! That said, if your toothache has mysteriously disappeared, there’s still a chance that you might need a root canal to save your tooth and protect your future dental health. Here’s why.
Why Does Tooth Pain Sometimes Go Away on Its Own?
Inside every tooth is a soft center area called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. When a tooth becomes infected or severely decayed, the pulp can become inflamed, leading to very intense pain. However, if the pulp ends up dying, the nerves can no longer send pain signals to the brain, which in turn means you stop feeling discomfort.
While this might seem like good news at first, it usually means that the infection has drastically worsened. The bacteria are still present and can continue spreading to the surrounding bone and gums, putting your oral health at even further risk. This can even lead to issues like dental abscesses, bone loss around the tooth’s root, or total tooth loss. It’s also possible for the infection to spread to your gums, and once there, it has access to the rest of your body via your bloodstream, meaning your overall health is in danger, too.
Remember, just because there’s no pain does not mean you’re in the clear—which is why it’s so important to see your dentist for treatment, which includes solutions like root canal therapy.
How Can a Root Canal Help?
A root canal is a precise procedure that involves removing the infected portion of a tooth’s pulp, cleaning the inside of the tooth, and then sealing it up to prevent further reinfection. It’s arguably one of the most useful procedures in all of dentistry because it often saves a compromised tooth from needing to be extracted, in addition to preventing the spread of infection. It also relieves any lingering sensitivity or pressure that might still be present, even if you aren’t dealing with sharp, outright pain. Plus, despite anything you’ve heard through the grapevine or seen on television, modern root canal therapy is comfortable, efficient, and far less intimidating than people often imagine!
If your toothache has suddenly stopped, don’t assume the danger has passed. An infection may still be silently progressing, but a root canal could be the key to saving your tooth and your whole smile.
About the Practice
Here at North Jersey Endodontic Group of Paramus, Dr. Ali Forghani, Dr. Nassim Kohly, and Dr. Ramin Rahmani are honored to serve the needs of patients and families in Paramus and the surrounding area. Our office offers a wide variety of endodontic services, including root canal treatment as well as same-day emergency care for those with urgent needs. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule an appointment with us, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (201) 265-3334.