My toothache comes and goes - why? When intermittent tooth pain needs attention

Toothache isn't always constant. Sometimes a tooth will hurt for a few minutes, settle down completely and then start causing problems again several days later.

This can be confusing, particularly when the pain disappears before you've had a chance to arrange a dental appointment.

You might find yourself wondering whether the problem has resolved on its own or whether you really need to see a dentist.

If your toothache comes and goes, it's important to understand that the absence of pain doesn't necessarily mean the tooth is healthy.

At Rumney Endodontics & Dental Care in Cardiff, we regularly investigate dental symptoms that are intermittent, difficult to describe or challenging to pinpoint. Understanding the pattern of your pain can help us identify what's happening and recommend appropriate treatment.

Why does toothache sometimes disappear and return?

There are several possible explanations for intermittent toothache.

The discomfort may be triggered by something specific, such as biting, drinking something cold or eating sugary foods. Once the trigger disappears, the pain may settle.

In other cases, inflammation within the tooth can fluctuate, causing periods of discomfort followed by times when everything feels normal.

Problems involving the gums, existing fillings or cracks in a tooth can also produce symptoms that aren't present all the time.

The important thing is not to assume that because a tooth feels better today, the underlying cause has disappeared.

Could intermittent toothache be caused by decay?

Yes. Tooth decay is one possible explanation.

In its early stages, decay may not cause any noticeable symptoms. As it progresses into the dentine beneath the enamel, a tooth can become sensitive to temperature changes or sweet foods.

You might notice a brief sharp sensation when drinking cold water or eating something sweet, followed by complete relief.

If decay progresses towards the dental pulp, the soft tissue containing the tooth's nerves and blood vessels, symptoms may become more persistent or intense.

Early assessment is valuable because a tooth affected by decay may sometimes be restored with a filling before more extensive treatment becomes necessary.

Can a cracked tooth cause pain that comes and goes?

A cracked tooth can produce particularly unpredictable symptoms.

You might feel a sharp pain when biting into certain foods, but experience no discomfort when chewing something softer.

Sometimes the pain occurs when pressure is released rather than when you initially bite down.

Small cracks aren't always visible during a routine examination, which can make the symptoms difficult for patients to understand.

Our article about tooth pain when biting down explores why these symptoms develop and when they should be investigated.

If you suspect that a tooth may be cracked, avoiding very hard foods and arranging an examination is sensible.

Does toothache that comes and goes mean I need a root canal?

Not necessarily.

Intermittent toothache can have several causes, and many don't require root canal treatment.

However, when inflammation or infection develops within the dental pulp, root canal treatment may be recommended to remove the affected tissue and preserve the natural tooth.

One important distinction is whether the pulp is experiencing reversible irritation or more serious, irreversible inflammation.

A tooth with reversible inflammation may recover once the cause has been treated. A tooth with irreversible pulpitis generally requires more extensive treatment.

Our root canal treatment page explains how endodontic treatment works and why it can be an important alternative to extracting a tooth.

What if my toothache suddenly stops completely?

This is one of the most important questions we hear.

If you've experienced significant toothache and it suddenly disappears, it can feel like a huge relief.

Sometimes symptoms settle because a temporary irritation has resolved. However, in other situations, pain may reduce because the dental pulp has become severely damaged or lost vitality.

When this happens, infection can remain within the root canal system even though the tooth is no longer producing the same pain signals.

You may subsequently develop tenderness when biting, swelling or an abscess.

A dentist can assess the tooth using clinical tests and appropriate imaging to determine whether further investigation or treatment is required.

Why does my toothache seem worse at night?

Some people notice intermittent discomfort during the day that becomes much more troublesome when they go to bed.

This can happen for several reasons, including increased awareness of pain when there are fewer distractions and changes in how discomfort is perceived when lying down.

If your toothache is regularly disturbing your sleep, it is particularly important to arrange an assessment.

We've explored this in our article about why toothache can feel worse at night.

How will a dentist diagnose intermittent tooth pain?

Because intermittent toothache may not be present during your appointment, your description of the symptoms is extremely useful.

We may ask when the pain first started, how long it lasts, whether cold or hot drinks trigger it and whether biting makes it worse.

Your dentist can then examine the tooth, assess existing restorations and perform appropriate tests.

Where the cause is difficult to establish, specialist endodontic assessment may be helpful.

At Rumney Endodontics, our specialist team has experience investigating complex dental pain and assessing teeth that may require root canal treatment.

The aim is to establish a diagnosis before recommending treatment.

When should I seek urgent dental advice?

Arrange a dental appointment if pain keeps returning, becomes more intense or begins interfering with eating or sleeping.

If you develop facial swelling, significant pain or other signs of a dental infection, seek prompt dental advice.

Severe swelling affecting breathing, swallowing or the area around the eye requires emergency medical assessment.

Rumney Endodontics provides emergency dentistry in Cardiff for patients who need urgent dental assessment.

What can I do while waiting for an appointment?

Try to identify and avoid anything that consistently triggers your discomfort, such as very cold drinks or chewing hard foods on the affected side.

Continue cleaning your teeth carefully, including around the uncomfortable area.

If appropriate for you, over-the-counter pain relief may help temporarily when taken according to the manufacturer's instructions or advice from a pharmacist.

These measures don't replace a dental examination, particularly if the pain keeps returning.

Toothache comes and goes? Don't wait for it to become constant

If your toothache comes and goes, it can be tempting to put off making an appointment until the problem becomes more serious.

However, intermittent symptoms can still indicate a dental problem that requires attention.

At Rumney Endodontics & Dental Care, we provide general dentistry, emergency assessments and specialist endodontic care, helping patients understand the cause of their symptoms and preserve their natural teeth wherever clinically possible.

If you're experiencing recurring toothache, contact Rumney Endodontics & Dental Care in Cardiff to arrange an examination.