Are you thinking about getting a root canal? Do you experience persistent sensitivity or pain in your teeth? If you catch the early warning symptoms of dental problems, it can save your tooth and reduce pain.
Our goal at Tooth Talk is to keep your mouth healthy, and we are well-equipped to provide thorough endodontic treatment to keep your smile intact!
Persistent tooth pain is one of the signs that you may need a root canal. The pain in your tooth might bother you all the time, or it might go away from time to time but always return.
You may feel the pain deep in the bone of your tooth. Or you may feel referred pain in your face, jaw, or in your other teeth.
Tooth pain may have other causes besides root canal. Some other possibilities include:
No matter what the cause, it’s a good idea to see your dentist if you have tooth pain, especially if the pain is persistent. Early diagnosis and treatment for tooth pain typically leads to a better outcome.
Does your tooth hurt when you eat warm food or when you drink a cup of coffee? Or perhaps your tooth feels sensitive when you eat ice cream or drink an icy-cold glass of water.
The sensitivity could feel like a dull ache or a sharp pain. You may need a root canal if this pain lingers for an extended period of time, even when you stop eating or drinking.
If your tooth hurts when you eat or drink something hot or cold, it may be an indication that the blood vessels and nerves in your tooth are infected or damaged.
An infection in the pulp of your tooth can cause your tooth to become discolored. Trauma to the tooth or the breakdown of the internal tissue can damage the roots and give the tooth a grayish-black appearance.
According to Dr. Ahmed, founder of Tooth Talk, tooth pulps can die when there’s an inadequate blood supply, thus signaling a possible need for a root canal. Although tooth discoloration can have other causes, it’s always a good idea to see your dentist if you notice that a tooth is changing color.
If your tooth is sensitive when you touch it or when you eat, it could indicate severe tooth decay or nerve damage, which may need to be treated with a root canal. This is especially the case if the sensitivity persists over time and doesn’t go away when you stop eating.
If you’ve chipped or cracked your tooth in an accident, in a contact sport, or by chewing on something hard, bacteria can set in and lead to inflammation and infection.
Even if you injure a tooth, but it doesn’t chip or crack, the injury may still damage the nerves of the tooth. The nerve can become inflamed and cause pain and sensitivity, which may require root canal treatment.
A root canal procedure might sound intimidating, but with modern technology, it’s often no more uncomfortable than getting a deep filling. There’s minimal to no pain because your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb your tooth and gums, ensuring you’re comfortable during the process.
If you need a root canal and experience facial swelling or a fever, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics beforehand to eliminate the infection, which can also help alleviate pain.
The root canal process itself is akin to receiving a large filling, though it takes longer. Your mouth will be numbed while the dentist removes the decay, disinfects the roots, and fills them.
To prevent any infected material from spreading, your dentist will use a rubber dam around the affected tooth.
After the root canal, your mouth might feel sore or tender. Your dentist may recommend taking over-the-counter pain relief like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
