If you’ve ever had a tooth infection, you may have experienced a great deal of pain along with it. But what happens if your tooth hurts for a while, but the pain goes away? Does that mean your tooth is healed, or that you no longer need to see the dentist? Here’s why a vanishing toothache doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in the clear, and when you should see an emergency dentist, no matter what!

The Amazing, Disappearing Toothache

When your tooth becomes infected, the pulp inside can get inflamed and irritated. This in turn causes the discomfort that is so characteristic of this type of illness. But sometimes, the pain can stop before you get a chance to treat it. Now, you may think this is because the infection healed or went away, but unfortunately with tooth infections, that isn’t possible because tooth infections don’t clear up without either a root canal or a tooth extraction.

If you do notice your toothache pain has suddenly disappeared, it is likely that the nerves inside your tooth have died, and you can no longer feel the infection, not that the infection itself has gone away. This is an important sign that you should seek help as soon as possible from your emergency dentist, before the infection has the opportunity to spread and cause any further damage.

Other Signs of Tooth Infection

Though many tooth infections do cause a great deal of pain, in some cases you may never feel any discomfort whatsoever. Many patients have been surprised to learn that they have a tooth infection because they had no warning signs prior to their diagnosis, however there are often other signs of tooth infection besides pain that could be easily missed. These include:

• Swollen gums
• Sensitivity to hot or cold
• A fever

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in addition to a toothache or other changes in the condition of your oral health, please contact your dentist as soon as possible.

Remember, just because you aren’t experiencing dental pain does not mean your tooth infection is cured, or that there is nothing wrong with your tooth. Tooth infections can often be painless or have other symptoms besides discomfort. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, to avoid losing your tooth and to prevent the infection from spreading to other teeth or throughout the body, seek attention from your emergency dentist as soon as possible.

About Our Practice

At Dix Hills Family Dentistry, our team of skilled dentists are ready to help alleviate your pain and protect your teeth from infection. If you are suffering from swollen gums, sudden sensitivity, or a painful toothache, don’t delay getting emergency care. Please contact our office as soon as possible by calling us at 631-673-8040.