5 Telltale Symptoms You Need A Root Canal
Posted on: 24 May 2021
A root canal is a dental procedure that involves cleaning and sealing your tooth's pulp if it's decayed or infected. The dental pulp is your tooth's innermost part that comprises blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues. If this part is decayed, it becomes susceptible to infections and inflammation; hence a root canal is necessary to remove the decay. Here are five signs you need a root canal.
Increased Sensitivity
If your tooth hurts every time you take a hot drink or eat warm food, the pulp may be infected. At first, you'll experience a dull ache, which then intensifies with time. Sometimes, the sensitivity can be caused by damaged nerve endings and blood vessels.
Seek a professional dental checkup if you're experiencing persistent sensitivity after consuming hot or cold beverages and foods. If the issue lies within the pulp, your dentist will administer a root canal to fix it.
Severe Pain
You may experience severe pain in your mouth for other reasons that don't need a root canal. But if your pain appears and disappears like a wave, the chances are high you have an infected or decayed tooth, in which case, a root canal is the most effective treatment option.
You may also feel increased pressure on your tooth or specific positions of your gum every time you lie or bend down. After the root canal, this will be an issue of the past.
Swollen Gums
A swollen gum near a painful tooth is a major indication of a damaged pulp. Typically, the dead pulp tissues release acidic wastes that cause swelling outside the root area. Sometimes, there's no swelling but a small gum boil that oozes pus.
The swollen gum or boil will give you a bad breath or leave a strange taste in your mouth. Luckily, a root canal can repair and seal the damaged tooth, which eventually stops the swelling.
Tooth Discoloration
Your tooth may develop a stain due to tobacco use or long-term consumption of certain foods and drinks. As long as the internal part of your tooth isn't damaged, you won't need a root canal. But sometimes, the discoloration is a result of inadequate blood supply in the tooth's pulp or damage to the internal tissues due to a knock or accident. In such cases, a root canal is needed.
Loose Tooth
When your tooth's pulp or root is damaged, your tooth may start to feel loose. The infected nerve releases waste products that soften the bone surrounding the dying tooth, leading to mobility. However, if more than one tooth is loose, there are other causes that may not necessitate a root canal.
If you have questions or have tooth pain, reach out to a local dentist.
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