Even though any endodontic procedure is suggested by your dentist after careful dental examination and diagnosis, you should be aware of some symptoms or signs that may indicate you could need root canal therapy.
Most people don’t want to think that they may need root canal therapy (RCT) because it is associated with discomfort and pain. This might have been true in the past, but today our skilled South Surrey / White Rock dentists are able to perform RCT with minimal discomfort and pain. Endodontics procedures like RCT are often performed as a last resort to save teeth. For example, if the pulp of your tooth has infection or inflammation as a result of deep decay, endodontic treatment can help solve the issue effectively. Root canal therapy is effective in treating infections since it involves the removal of the affected tooth pulp, cleaning, disinfecting, and sealing the tooth. Normally, after an endodontic procedure like a root canal, the treated tooth is restored with a filling or crown. Let’s look at some of the signs that indicate that you may need root canal therapy.
Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy
Gum Swelling
If you notice swollen red gums that are tender to the touch and persist, it may be an indication of an infected tooth. Your dentist should examine the area around the tooth. If inflammation is found then the most appropriate treatment will be root canal therapy.
Sore on Gums
Canker sores on gums can be relatively common for some people who may be sensitive to acidic foods or tend to drink hot beverages. These sores go away on their own. However, sores can also result from bacteria that accompany an infection. These sores are similar to pimples but are located just beneath the surface of your gum line. One important sign that these sores may be due to an infected tooth, it’s when they reoccur in the same area in your gum line. What’s more, you will most likely experience pain in the area where the sores are located and sometimes they can increase in size and can give you an unpleasant taste in your mouth.
You need to have these sores/pimples checked by your dentist since any dental infection should be treated as soon as possible. Your dentist will evaluate the cause of the infection and recommend an appropriate treatment which may include a root canal.
Pain
Normally, pain is one of the first signs that you have a problem with a tooth. If the pain is persistent and you have difficulty drinking or eating, you need to visit your dentist as soon as possible. The cause of the pain may be a cavity that has caused an infection and inflammation in the blood vessels and nerves. Your dentist will most likely prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection but if the problem is not resolved then root canal treatment may be recommended.
Broken or Damaged Tooth
If you have a tooth that is broken or damaged enough, nerves can become exposed and infection may result. Failing to get treatment for such an issue could result in losing a tooth or even the infection entering your bloodstream. If this happens, you could suffer from various health issues affecting your overall health.
Temperature Sensitivity
Experiencing sensitivity or pain when your teeth are exposed to hot or cold temperatures while drinking or eating, can also be a sign that you have infected nerves in one or more of your teeth.
Unlike someone who has sensitive teeth and may experience some discomfort when eating or drinking anything hot or cold, people with infected tooth nerves will feel this discomfort or pain at specific teeth. Consequently, it is important to try to determine if the sensitivity is always around the same tooth. If that is the case then you may need to visit your dentist to determine if you need root canal therapy.
Tooth Discolouration
Tooth discoloration can occur due to improper or lack of oral hygiene and/or staining from beverages (e.g. colas, coffee, and tea) or from smoking and chewing tobacco. Another reason you may notice discolouration in a particular tooth could be as a result of nerve damage. When a tooth is infected, the pulp can become discoloured because blood can enter the pulp or because the pulp dies due to inadequate blood supply. The discolouration is often greyish-black in appearance. Whatever the reason may be for tooth discolouration, it is recommended that you consult with your dentist.
Consulting with Your Dentist
It’s important for everyone to be aware of the signs indicating that there may be endodontic issues since the sooner we act and visit our dentist, the better off we will be in terms of treatment, oral health, and minimizing our overall discomfort.
Book your dental appointment with your dentist at My Dentist at Morgan Creek at the first sign of any dental issue. We will help you back on the path to good oral health. Root canal treatment may be done in a single appointment if planned in advance. In some cases, the same tooth may need a repeat treatment, if new infections develop in the gums or tissues surrounding the roots. We offer various endodontic services including pain-free root canal treatments, Root Canal Retreatments, and Single Visit RCTs. Root canal-treated teeth usually stay pain-free for many years or a lifetime. If you have any questions at all about our root canal treatments, contact us today at 604-542-0123 to schedule an appointment or visit us at our Surrey dental clinic located opposite Fire Service Hall on 32nd Avenue. We serve patients in South Surrey, White Rock, Rosemary Heights West, Rosemary Heights Central, North Grandview Heights, Morgan Heights, and other surrounding areas.
