When you have a cut or a bruise, you can count on your body to repair the cells and mend the damage. You might think that oral issues, like toothaches, work the same way. Unfortunately, dental problems don’t usually resolve themselves and only progressively worsen.
If you had a persistent or severe discomfort that miraculously vanished, you might think you got lucky and can cancel your emergency visit. However, this is often an indicator that your condition is deteriorated. Continue reading to learn why you should keep your appointment even if your discomfort fades!
What Caused My Toothache?
There are several potential reasons for tenderness in one or more of your teeth. For example, you might feel sensitive if you’ve eaten too many acidic foods or brush your teeth aggressively. With that said, repeated or ongoing throbbing isn’t considered normal or healthy and is often caused by an infection.
Your mouth is full of bacteria eager to penetrate your connective tissues and enamel to cause disease and decay. If they reach the tender pulp inside your teeth, they can trigger an inflammation that results in a painful buildup of fluid behind your tooth.
Why Did My Toothache Fade?
If your discomfort dissipates before you visit the dentist, you might feel tempted to cancel your appointment to save on time and resources. Unfortunately, the sudden change in your condition likely means that the infection has become so severe that it has damaged the nerves in your tooth, rendering them unable to sense pain.
That means it’s more important than ever that you be treated. Often, an emergency root canal can address the infection and alleviate your aches. Otherwise, if your tooth is too damaged to be saved, your dentist may have no alternative but to extract and replace it.
How Can I Address Toothaches at Home?
You may need to wait overnight or through the weekend to contact your dentist if their office is closed when your problem arises. Thankfully, there are things to can do to get some much-needed relief at home, including:
- Rinsing with salt water. This naturally disinfects your mouth and draws out excessive fluids to reduce the pressure behind your tooth.
- Place an ice pack. Putting a cold compress to the sore side of your face for 15-minute increments can provide a temporary numbing reprieve.
- Sleep at an angle. If your tooth hurts worse when you lie down, prop up a few pillows or sleep on a recliner to keep blood from pooling behind your tooth.
- Take over-the-counter medications. Taking Tylenol or ibuprofen is usually a safe way to reduce your symptoms.
Contacting your dentist as soon as you notice a toothache is the best way to prevent the problem from getting worse and safeguard your smile!
Meet the Author
Dr. Kimberly Peters is passionate about helping families in Conyers build and maintain happy, healthy teeth and gums. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Medical College of Georgia, now known as the Augusta University Dental College of Georgia. She enjoys establishing lasting relationships with patients and then tailors treatment plans to meet their unique needs. Plus, she offers same-day emergency appointments, so if you have a toothache, you don’t have to wait for help. You can request a visit online or call (770) 922-1666.