A severe toothache can make it hard to think about anything else. So when that pain suddenly disappears, you might assume your tooth has finally healed. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. In some situations, a tooth that stops hurting may actually need prompt dental treatment.

If your dentist recommends root canal therapy even though you’re no longer experiencing pain, there’s likely a reason. Here’s what could be happening inside your tooth.

For most people, researching and comparing different dentists isn’t the most exciting task. But if you’re in the market for a new dental home, it’s important to do your homework; there’s more to choosing a practice that’s truly right for you than just typing “dentist near me” into Google.

If you’re interested in advice on finding a new dentist, here are some of the traits that I suggest you look for.