When it comes to your teeth, no pain is considered ‘normal’. If you’ve developed a persistent or severe ache, it’s important to contact your dentist as soon as possible so they can identify and treat the underlying cause.
For instance, your troublesome tooth might require a root canal to alleviate the ache and address the infection. But you might wonder if you can cancel your appointment if your pearly white suddenly stops hurting. Continue reading to learn why you shouldn’t cancel your upcoming appointment!
Why Does My Tooth Hurt?
There are many potential reasons for tender teeth, like thinning enamel from aggressive brushing or an overly acidic diet. However, more severe discomfort is often due to an underlying infection. Your mouth is full of bacteria that form plaque on your connective tissues, enamel, and between your teeth. These germs can eventually penetrate your gums or teeth, causing painful disease and inflammation in the tender nerves and pulp inside.
If your tooth is too damaged for a dental filling to effectively repair the damage, then there’s a good chance that your dentist will need to perform a root canal to prevent the infection from killing the nerves or spreading to neighboring teeth or your jawbone. Then, they will probably place a customized dental crown to restore your smile’s appearance and functionality.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
Your provider will begin your procedure by applying a local anesthetic to numb the area, so you might feel some pressure while they work, but not pain. Many dentists also offer one or more options for sedation, like laughing gas, oral conscious sedation, or IV medications, to help you feel calm and comfortable.
Then, they’ll create a small opening in your enamel so they can clear away damaged materials with specially designed dental instruments. Then, they’ll gently sanitize it to eradicate any remaining bacteria before sealing it closed to prevent a repeat occurrence. Finally, they might place a temporary dental crown to protect your pearly white until they can provide a more permanent restoration.
Do I Need A Root Canal If My Tooth Stops Hurting?
You might assume that your toothache has healed itself if it suddenly disappears, and you may even wonder whether you still need a root canal. Unfortunately, the sudden change in your condition likely means that your condition is getting progressively worse rather than better.
If the infection in your tooth remains untreated for too long, it can injure the nerves so fully that they can no longer send pain signals to your brain. That means even if you’re no longer hurting, your dentist must still treat the underlying issue to protect your dental health.
Thankfully, root canals typically alleviate more aches than they cause, and your dentist will do everything they can to help you feel calm and comfortable throughout your procedure!
Meet the Author
Dr. Jay Lopez is a highly accomplished provider who is passionate about helping people improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Colorado Health Science Center School of Dentistry and has completed continuing education courses in various topics, like oral surgery, aesthetic treatments, and more. He has more than 30 years of experience and provides a comprehensive menu of services to meet all your needs at one location, including root canals and sedation dentistry. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (520) 886-8090.