Identifying Symptoms That Indicate The Need For A Root Canal

Learning whether or not you need a root canal is similar to determining whether or not you require a filling for tooth decay. In those early phases of the problem, it is challenging to determine whether better personal oral care can address the problem or whether you require restorative dental work. This is so because the majority of the signs can only be ascertained by a dentist who is qualified in the field.

That is why physical symptoms often do not appear until the condition is more severe, and this is why you should go to the dentist regularly. But if you don’t get to the dentist to spot a problem before it escalates, you might have an infected tooth and a possible root canal in your possession.

The procedure of root canals is done to treat and restore teeth that are severely damaged or decaying. Essentially, if the pulp of the tooth, which contains blood vessels and nerves, is dead or diseased, it has to be removed, and the space inside the tooth will be filled and capped.

What is a Root Canal?

Root canal therapy or treatment is used to treat infected root canals to preserve the tooth and avoid recontamination. During a root canal procedure, the damaged or infected pulp is eliminated from the tooth. After the pulp extraction, sterilization and cleaning of the interior part of the tooth are followed, and then the tooth is filled and sealed.

1. Persistent pain

One of the signs that you may need a root canal is a persistent toothache. You may experience constant discomfort in the affected tooth, occasionally occurring with constant recurrence.

The pain may be sharp and throbbing or a nagging ache that permeates right down to the roots of your tooth. You may also have pain elsewhere in your mouth, especially in your face, jaws, or other teeth.

It is important to note that tooth pain may not necessarily result from root canals only. Some other possibilities include:

• gum disease
• a cavity
• radiating pain from a simple sinus infection or another condition.
• a damaged filling
• an abscessed tooth that may have affected a neighboring tooth

Regardless, it is always advisable to visit your dentist should you experience a toothache, especially if the discomfort is chronic. This kind of pain often requires early diagnosis and treatment to increase the chances of getting a good result.

2. Heat and cold intolerance

Do you experience a toothache if you are eating a piece of warm meal or if you are taking your cup of coffee? Or you could retreat with a toothache each time you take a spoonful of ice cream or a sip of ice-cold water.

The sensitivity could range from an uncomfortable throb to the sensation of a stabbing pain. If this pain lasts for some time, you may require a root canal.

If your tooth is sensitive each time you take hot or cold food or any liquid, it may indicate that the blood flows to the tooth and the nerves are inflamed.

3. Tooth discoloration

Sometimes, if you get an infection in the pulp of your tooth, the tooth’s color can change. This occurs when the internal tissue of the tooth dies or the roots of the tooth have been injured, and the tooth turns a grayish-black color. Although there are various reasons why teeth may turn darker, it is always advisable to consult your dentist any time you realize that a tooth has changed its color.

4. Swollen gums

If the gums around the aching tooth become swollen, it could mean a problem that needs a root canal. The inflammation may be temporary and may even be recurrent. Sometimes the affected area may be tender when touched, while others may not be painful to touch. You may also have a little pimple on your gum. This is known as gum boil, parulis, or abscess.

The pimple may release pus from the infection in the tooth. This can leave you with a sour taste in the mouth and bad breath, which are unpleasant sensations.

5. Sensitivity when chewing or biting on the tooth or when the tooth is pressed

If your tooth is sensitive when you touch it or are eating foods, this may be a sign of severe tooth decay or even nerve damage, which can only be solved through a root canal. This is especially true if the sensitivity is chronic and does not resolve with abstinence from the offending foods.

6. A chipped or a cracked tooth

If the tooth has been chipped or cracked due to an accident, contact sports, or biting on a hard object, the affected area can become a site for bacteria entry, causing inflammation and infection.

Even if the tooth was chipped or cracked during any form of injury, this could have affected the nerves of the tooth in one way or another. The nerve may become irritated and lead to discomfort and hypersensitivity to stimuli, for which one may need a root canal.

7. Tooth mobility

When the tooth is infected, it may become loose, or you may feel it is loose. When people have more than one tooth that feels loose, then the cause is most likely to be other than one that may require root canal treatment.

If you think you may have a dental problem that requires you to have a root canal, then don’t panic. While no one looks forward to root canals, they are standard and should not be painful. However, the situation should not be frightening when one finds a suitable dentist.

It is much more painful or uncomfortable to endure a cracked or decaying tooth than to go through root canal therapy. Indeed, the majority of patients noted that it did not cause them any sort of ache. While there might be minor discomforts, such as feeling sensitivity or some aches after the anesthetic wears off, these should go away within a couple of weeks.

The best thing you can do is to call your dentist today and set an appointment to have your teeth fixed back to a healthy state.

Conclusion

If you suffer from the symptoms mentioned above or have any questions/queries about these signs, you must opt for root canal treatment. Please feel free to contact us and make an appointment at Victoria Dental. Our personnel are friendly and professional and always willing to address any issues you may have concerning your teeth.