Why Can a Tooth Hurt One Day and Feel Fine the Next?

Yesterday, your tooth hurt every time you bit down.

Today? Nothing.

So does that mean whatever was wrong has fixed itself?

It’s tempting to think so, particularly when you’re busy and the last thing you want to add to your week is a dental appointment. But tooth pain can come and go for a number of reasons, and the fact that it has disappeared doesn’t always mean the underlying cause has gone with it.

Here’s why dental pain can sometimes be surprisingly unpredictable.

Tooth Pain Isn’t Always Constant

We often imagine a dental problem will cause a steady toothache that gradually becomes worse.

In reality, discomfort can be much less straightforward.

A tooth may only hurt when you bite on something hard. You might experience sensitivity when drinking something cold, but feel completely fine five minutes later. Some people notice an occasional dull ache, while others experience a sudden sharp sensation that disappears almost immediately.

How a tooth feels can depend on what’s causing the problem and what is triggering it at the time.

Sensitivity Can Come and Go

A short, sharp sensation when you eat or drink something hot, cold or sweet is something many people experience.

Sensitivity can occur when areas of the tooth become more exposed or when something has changed around the tooth or gums.

You may only notice it with certain foods or drinks, which can make it seem like the problem has disappeared between episodes.

If one tooth suddenly becomes sensitive when it never was before, or the sensitivity is becoming more frequent, let us know.

A Small Crack Can Be Difficult to Notice

Cracks in teeth don’t always cause constant pain.

Sometimes discomfort occurs when you bite in a particular way or eat something with a certain texture. You might feel a quick, sharp pain and then struggle to work out exactly which tooth it came from.

Because the pain isn’t necessarily there all the time, it can be easy to put off having it checked.

Decay Doesn’t Always Hurt Straight Away

One of the tricky things about tooth decay is that it can develop without causing obvious pain in its earlier stages.

As decay progresses, you may begin noticing sensitivity or discomfort, but even then symptoms aren’t always constant.

This is also why waiting until a tooth hurts isn’t the best way to judge whether everything is healthy. Regular dental examinations allow us to look for changes you may not be able to feel or see yourself.

Your Bite Can Make a Difference

If a tooth is irritated or damaged, you may only notice discomfort when pressure is placed on it in a particular way.

For example, eating something soft might feel completely normal, while biting down on something harder causes a sudden sensation.

You may even subconsciously start chewing on the other side of your mouth without realising you’re doing it.

Pain when biting is something worth mentioning when you come and see us, even if it doesn’t happen at every meal.

What If a Bad Toothache Suddenly Stops?

This is particularly important.

If you’ve had significant or persistent tooth pain and it suddenly disappears, don’t automatically assume the tooth has recovered.

There are situations where changes inside a tooth can cause pain to reduce even though the underlying dental problem still requires attention.

If you’ve experienced a significant toothache, especially one that lasted for some time, it’s worth having us check the tooth even if you’re currently feeling better.

Pay Attention to Other Changes

Pain isn’t the only thing to look out for.

You may notice swelling around the gum, sensitivity, a bad taste in your mouth, discomfort when chewing, a change in the colour of a tooth or a small lump around the gum.

These details can help us understand what’s been happening.

If you do experience intermittent pain, it can even be useful to make a quick mental note of what seems to trigger it. Is it cold drinks? Sweet foods? Biting? Does it happen at night?

That information can be helpful when you come in.

You Don’t Have to Wait Until It Really Hurts

It’s easy to postpone a dental appointment when the pain disappears.

But recurring discomfort is your body’s way of telling you that something has changed, even if the symptoms aren’t there every minute of the day.

Having the area checked earlier means we can assess what’s happening and explain whether anything needs to be done.

Has a Tooth Been Playing Up?

If you’ve had a tooth that’s sore one day and seemingly fine the next, come and see us rather than waiting for the pain to become constant.

We can examine the area, investigate what may be causing the discomfort and talk you through what we find.

Get in touch with our team to book an appointment.