If you’ve ever felt the shock of sudden tooth pain only for it to disappear just as quickly, you know how confusing it can be. Is it something you should take seriously or does the fact that it suddenly stopped mean there’s nothing to worry about? Dental pain always has an underlying cause, so it’s usually a sign that something is wrong. Keep reading to find out why you might still need a root canal in Allentown, even if your toothache has vanished.

Dental Infection

You can’t always see a dental infection. Abscesses can appear on the gums directly over the infected tooth, but they can also form at the root of your tooth. If your tooth pain was from an abscess that is hidden within your gums, the pain may have stopped because the infection has drained into your bloodstream. This can be particularly dangerous because it can flow to any part of your body, including your heart or your brain, and cause even more damage. Your dentist needs to perform a root canal as soon as possible to clean out the infected pulp and tissue from your tooth and prevent the bacteria from spreading.

A Damaged Dental Nerve

If your dental pain occurs when you eat or drink items with extreme temperatures, it could mean that the nerve in your tooth is dead or dying. Mild or severe pain caused by a dying nerve can come and go or it can be constant. If pain completely vanishes and doesn’t return, it could mean the nerve is dead. Without treatment, the bacteria can move to the surrounding teeth or even to the jawbone, resulting in tooth loss or the disintegration of the jawbone. A root canal gives your dentist the ability to save your tooth by only removing the infected portion. Otherwise, you may need an extraction!

Decayed or Damaged Filling

Holes from a decayed or damaged filling can leave your dental nerve vulnerable to hot or cold foods and drinks, as well as air when you speak or breathe. More importantly, it gives bacteria and germs the opportunity to infect your dental pulp, your gums and the surrounding teeth. Root canal therapy can protect the dental nerve from damage and save the structure of the tooth. 

Toothaches that disappear may give you a sigh of relief, but your troubles are far from over. At the first sign of discomfort, minor or extreme, you should contact your dentist in Allentown right away. A root canal will not only save you from losing your tooth, but it will also put an end to your dental pain.

About the Practice

Dr. Bradford Young and his team are dedicated to providing each patient with personalized and complete dental care. Drs. Bradford Young and Mark Ena aim to build a trusting relationship with every individual who enters their doors. Their services include general dentistry, restorative dental treatments and more. If you’ve been experiencing dental pain or a toothache that comes and goes, it’s time to schedule a visit! Contact the office at (610) 439-1363 or visit the website for more information today!