From a sharp, stabbing pain to a dull, consistent soreness, discomfort is one of the most common symptoms of a severely decayed or infected tooth. Oftentimes, this warrants root canal treatment (don’t worry – the procedure is nothing like its bad reputation), but what happens if your toothache subsides? Do you still need a root canal if your tooth stops hurting? Read on to learn the answer.
So, Do You Need a Root Canal If Your Tooth Stops Hurting?
When a once painful toothache goes radio silent, patients often assume it’s because the decay and infection have healed on their own. Sadly, that’s not the case. It’s actually because the damage has progressed to the point where the root was “killed,” causing it to no longer register pain. It’s not long after this that the infection can spread to the surrounding teeth, your gums, and throughout your body. In short, don’t cancel your root canal procedure simply because your toothache has subsided.
Are There Any Treatments Other Than a Root Canal?
If you, like many patients, are scared of getting a root canal, you might be wondering what your other treatment options are. In some cases, having the tooth extracted is also feasible. However, dental professionals only recommend having it removed when absolutely necessary. Plus, the root canal procedure is virtually painless thanks to the latest techniques, cutting-edge dental technology, powerful numbing agents, and effective dental sedation! With all of that said, your dentist or endodontist will review all of your treatment options (as well as the pros of each) when you come in for your exam.
How to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy Moving Forward
The good news is that you can dramatically reduce your chances of needing a root canal with a few simple best practices, including:
- Keeping your consumption of added sugar to a minimum
- Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently
- Getting a checkup and cleaning twice a year
- Avoiding unhealthy dental habits, like smoking
- Wearing a mouthguard when playing sports
Now you know that a toothache that has gone radio silent doesn’t necessarily mean you no longer need a root canal. If you have any other questions about this tooth-saving treatment, don’t hesitate to ask your dental team!
About the Practice
Our highly-rated team at Worcester Endodontics is led by two exceptional endodontists: Dr. Karyn Stern and Dr. Mario Abdennour. Together, they use their extensive training and education (as well as their passion for helping patients) to provide personalized, thorough, and pain-free dental care. If you are interested in learning more about root canal therapy or you’d like to schedule an appointment, then visit our website or call (508) 755-3636.