Are you experiencing tooth pain when chewing? Do you think you might have an infected tooth? If so, you should schedule a dentist appointment to evaluate your smile. A dentist in Maimi Gardens can help determine the cause of your pain and alleviate it with the right treatment.
One common dental procedure is a root canal. But how can you tell if you need one? We’re going to explain what a root canal is, how it works to save your teeth, and highlight common signs you may need one.
What is a root canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure that removes infected pulp from the root of your tooth. 1 This procedure is commonly performed on people who have a deep cavity or a cracked tooth. During a root canal, your dentist will clean and seal the canal of your tooth to prevent further damage. This often can save a tooth from needing to be removed completely.
Root canals are very common, and your dentist can help you decide if it’s the right option for your situation. Let’s explore the top signs you may need a root canal.
Signs you need a root canal
There are many signs of an infected tooth that might take you a minute to notice, including:
Persistent tooth pain
Pain when chewing or touching your tooth can indicate your tooth needs help. If your tooth throbs or aches all day, the toothache may be telling you something important. If you have throbbing pain in your mouth, like your tooth has a heartbeat, the nerve may be irritated. This discomfort shouldn’t be ignored to avoid infection from spreading.
Sensitivity to hot and cold
If you can’t enjoy hot or cold food or beverages without wincing in pain, that can indicate an issue with your tooth’s pulp. Sensitivity or pressure pain when chewing are signs your tooth needs immediate attention. A root canal can alleviate pain and sensitivity, so don’t wait to call your dentist.
Tooth discoloration
A lesser-known sign you may need a root canal is discoloration. Teeth are normally white or slightly yellow, but teeth in distress may turn gray or even black due to dying tissue or blood supply loss. Darkening tooth color can signal untreated cavities that led to the death of a tooth’s nerve, a failing filling or crown, or trauma to the tooth that damaged the inner pulp.
Gum swelling
Swollen gums can also be an important sign that you may need a root canal procedure. Localized swelling, or swelling around a single tooth, can signal something is going on with the pulp. Swollen gums that bleed easily can also indicate that the tooth underneath needs a root canal.
Lastly, you may notice a small boil or bump on your gums. This abscess could be filled with pus, meaning there’s an infection going on that can be solved with a root canal. Pay attention if your gums are persistently puffy and avoid writing it off as general irritation.
Loose tooth
Sometimes, when infection has weakened the nearby bone, you may notice a loose tooth. A loose, shifty, or wobbly tooth can occur when there’s been severe damage to the tooth’s pulp. An emergency root canal may be needed to save the tooth and restore function.
If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait to see the dentist. A root canal can relieve pain, help save your teeth, and prevent infection from spreading.
Root canal vs. filling: Which do I need?
You may wonder whether a root canal or filling is needed to help restore your teeth. Here’s a quick breakdown of when each is needed. A root canal is performed when tooth decay is severe and has caused infection to spread to the tooth’s pulp.2 The dentist will clean out the infected pulp and seal the tooth to prevent future infections. Root canals are not used for standard cavities that haven’t become infected.
A dental filling, on the other hand, helps restore the integrity and function of a tooth with minor decay or a cavity. The dentist will remove the decaying portion and fill the area with dental filling material to repair damage and prevent further decay.
While both sound similar, they serve different purposes. Visit a “dentist near me” to figure out which procedure is appropriate for your oral health.
Sources:
1 Cleveland Clinic: Root Canal: Procedure & Recovery
2 Aspen Dental: Tooth root canal vs tooth filling
