The tooth that kept you awake has stopped throbbing. You can get through breakfast, and canceling that dental call starts to sound reasonable.
With a tooth infection, pain can ease when pressure is released while the infection remains. MedlinePlus
Trouble breathing, speaking, or swallowing needs emergency medical help. Call 911. Go to an emergency department for major swelling inside your mouth, swelling or pain around an eye, a change in vision, or difficulty opening your mouth. Do not wait for a dental appointment. NHS
A suspected dental abscess needs an urgent appointment
An abscess is a pocket of pus from an infection. Decay, a cracked tooth, or gum disease can create the conditions for one. Pain, swelling, gum redness, a bad taste, and fever are possible signs. A dentist needs to examine the area to determine what is causing your symptoms. American Dental Association
If you suspect an abscess, call a dentist and ask for an urgent assessment. An abscess does not clear on its own. Facial or jaw swelling and fever deserve attention when you call; do not leave those details out because the tooth feels better. NHS
You do not need to know the name of the problem before asking for help. Describe what changed: where it hurts, when the pain began, whether you have swelling, and whether eating or opening your mouth is difficult.
Why the pain can stop before the problem does
Pain is one piece of the picture. If pressure from an abscess is relieved, the toothache may ease even though infection remains active. Untreated infection can spread and lead to serious, sometimes life-threatening complications. Those risks are a reason to get assessed, not a prediction about your tooth. MedlinePlus
The useful question is, “What caused this, and has it been treated?”
Ask your dentist, “What did you find, and why do you recommend this treatment?” If a root canal or another procedure is proposed, ask what it is meant to accomplish and what happens if you delay it.
Antibiotics may be part of care
If you have started antibiotics, ask whether the tooth itself still needs treatment.
For many problems involving infection or inflammation inside a tooth or around its root, the American Dental Association recommends dental treatment rather than antibiotics. This guidance applies to adults whose immune systems are not severely weakened. Antibiotics have a role when infection causes signs such as fever or feeling unwell. The right approach depends on the diagnosis, your health, and access to treatment. ADA guideline
Treatment may involve draining an abscess, cleaning an affected gum area, or treating the inside of a tooth. Your dentist can explain which approach fits the cause. American Dental Association
Ask what follow-up you need for your tooth infection. Do not change a prescribed medicine based on a blog post; discuss questions with the clinician who prescribed it.
Call a dentist even if the pain has eased
If worry about pain or cost is holding you back, say that when you call. You can ask what the assessment involves, what it costs, and how the dentist will explain the options.
For a suspected tooth infection in the Spotswood area, call SiRa Dentistry at (732) 454-7472 and describe your symptoms. Ask about an urgent assessment and what to do if an appointment is unavailable. For the emergency signs listed near the top of this article, seek emergency medical care now.
Sources used: American Dental Association, NHS and MedlinePlus.