Sudden Stop: Do You Need a Root Canal If Your Tooth Stops Hurting?

Toothaches mean trouble. That’s why it’s so important that you call your dentist when you first notice abnormal symptoms – whether it’s considerable sensitivity or a sharp, stabbing pain when biting down – so they can determine if a root canal is needed. But what if your toothache goes away seemingly overnight? Do you still need a root canal? Read on to learn the answer!

So, Do You Need a Root Canal If Your Tooth Stops Hurting?

You might be surprised, but the answer is “yes!” After all, cavities, infections, cracks, and other common forms of dental damage cannot heal on their own. Most of the time, a toothache that has gone radio silent is the result of the nerve dying. While that might sound like good news because you can no longer feel pain, there’s only a small window of time when the tooth can be saved, and the health of your surrounding teeth and gums are at-risk as well. So, don’t wait – get an appointment with your dentist on the calendar ASAP.

4 Additional Warning Signs of Trouble

At your appointment, your dentist will learn more about your symptoms (or lack thereof), take X-rays, and conduct a visual exam. In the process, they will look for warning signs of trouble, like:

• A pimple-like bump on your gums
• A dark spot on your tooth
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Chips, cracks, and other dental damage

Then, they will share their findings with you, discuss your treatment options, and answer any questions you have before moving forward.

What Can Happen If You Wait Too Long to Get a Root Canal

The longer you wait to get a root canal, the lower the chances are of your dentist being able to save your tooth. If that does happen (the damage is so extensive that the tooth cannot be saved), they will need to extract it and put something else in its place, like a dental bridge or implant.

Ultimately, the best thing to do is to schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist, even if your symptoms seem to have gone away. That way, they can determine why that is and the best way to restore the look, health, and function of your tooth.

About the Practice

In addition to providing routine preventive care and custom cosmetic dentistry, our team at Cline Family & Cosmetic Dental Care offers essential restorative treatments, like root canals. We also provide sedation dentistry, welcome dental insurance, and do our best to schedule same-day appointments for patients in pain so the entire treatment process is as smooth, convenient, and stress-free as possible. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with us, visit our website or call (208) 487-5987.