Ah, the dreaded root canal therapy. Hollywood has perpetuated the myth that it is painful but 95% of people experience little to mild discomfort with the procedure. As a matter of fact, root canal therapy is meant to relieve you of your tooth pain, not cause more! But what if your toothache goes away? Your dentist in Greenville is here to tell you all about root canal therapy and why you may still need the procedure even if your tooth isn’t bothering you anymore.
The Purpose of Root Canal Therapy
A root canal is needed when an infection occurs inside the dental pulp (the bundle of nerve ending at the center of your tooth). Since this area is very sensitive, it can begin to cause discomfort. Root canal therapy allows the dentist to:
- Get to the core of the tooth to remove the infection
- Thoroughly clean the area
- Seal the tooth and restore it with a crown
- Protect the tooth from further, more serious, and potentially irreversible damage
What if My Toothache Disappears?
With the understanding of the root cause of the pain (pun intended), you are aware that the infection is the source of the discomfort. If the pain subsides, this is not an indication that the tooth is no longer infected. Although there may be temporary relief, the bacteria are still present.
A toothache that has suddenly gone numb could indicate that the bacteria have killed the nerve of the tooth. Even though you no longer feel pain, the infection is still present and stronger than ever. You may lose that tooth and the infection could spread to other parts of your mouth and body!
You should always play it safe and visit your dentist if your tooth suddenly stops hurting. They can take an X-ray to determine what the best course of treatment would be. Your oral health will soon be back on track!
Why You Shouldn’t Put Off Emergency Treatment
As stated above, if your toothache has suddenly disappeared, it could be a sign that the decay has penetrated deep enough to cause the tooth root to die. Even if this has happened, there may still be enough healthy tooth structure left to be saved with a root canal. Therefore, it is imperative to visit your dentist for emergency care as soon as possible! If you delay treatment, you risk the chance of your infected tooth needing to be removed completely.
Toothaches are a sign that you need to visit a dentist. Be sure not to delay treatment so you can return to your happy, healthy smile as soon as possible!
About the Practice
Stone Street Dental serves Greenville and the surrounding areas through the expertise of Dr. Alison K. Garrad and Dr. Gregory Duncan. With a focus on building relationships and solving your dental problems, they have a broad range of services. They conveniently offer same-day appointments dental emergencies like painful or numb teeth. If you have a toothache or have a concern about any discomfort you had, contact them through their website or call 903-412-5300.
