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What Are the Signs of Needing a Root Canal?

Sep 01, 2022

A root canal is a process that helps clean decay in your tooth pulp and root. Your teeth have a robust enamel layer on the exterior, a second layer of dentin beneath, besides a soft core inside at the center of the tooth extending to the root of your jawbone. The soft center of your tooth is home to the nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels.

 

When tooth decay reaches the soft center of the tooth, the dental pulp becomes infected or inflamed. If left untreated, the soft core becomes necrotic (dead). In such cases, you require root canal therapy to clean the tooth from the decay within.

 

How do you recognize that you need a root canals? We suggest you continue reading to learn about the signs that indicate you need this treatment if you intend to preserve your natural tooth.

 

Explaining Root Canals

 

Root canals are processes similar to a small Roto-Rooter helping clean the decay and save the infected tooth. When performing root canals in Providence, RI, the dentist extracts bacteria and pollution from the dental pulp and the nerves. Antibiotics help the dentist disinfect the area and fill the roots to prevent new decay.

 

This endodontic treatment is performed by dentists and endodontists, specialists dealing with infections inside the tooth. The therapy you receive helps you save your natural tooth and prevents additional decay but renders your tooth fragile, making it essential for you to get it covered with a dental crown.

 

Indicators Telling You the Need for a Root Canal

 

The best way to know whether you need a root canal is to visit your dentist in Providence, RI, who might x-ray the tooth to detect infections to the dental pulp and the severity of the damage. However, you can keep an eye on warning signs indicating the need for root canals.

 

If you notice the symptoms mentioned in this blog post, you must contact your dentist at the earliest. The sooner you receive treatment for the tooth, the better the outcome.

 

Persistent Pain

 

Persistent pain in a specific tooth is one of the several indicators of a root canal. The discomfort might bother you continually or become intermittent without failing to return.

 

You might experience pain deep in your tooth’s bone, or the pain may radiate into your remaining teeth, face, and jaw. Tooth pain also results from cavities, gum disease, damaged fillings, or infected impacted teeth. No matter what the cause seeing, your dentist is optimal when experiencing persistent tooth pain.

 

Sensitivity To Hot and Cold Temperatures

 

Do you feel pain when eating warm food or having coffee? Perhaps you experience sensitivity when drinking an icy cold glass of water or eating ice cream. The sensitivity might resemble a dull ache or sharp pain. A root canal becomes necessary if the pain persists for extended periods even after stopping eating and drinking. Damaged blood vessels and nerves indicate that your tooth is infected and needs treatment with a root canal for relief.

 

Swollen Gums

 

Gum swelling near the affected tooth is also an indicator of a root canal. The swelling might subside and return with ferocity and tenderness to touch. The swelling results from acidic waste from the dead pulp outside the root tip. You may also have tiny pimples on your gums oozing pus from the infection. The oozing gives you an unpleasant taste in the mouth and lousy breath.

 

Tooth Discoloration

 

Your tooth can become discolored when you have an infection in the dental pulp. The breakdown of the internal tissue due to trauma to the tooth can damage its roots to make your tooth appear greyish black. The tooth pulp dies without adequate blood supply to signal the need for root canal therapy.

 

Besides the above, you might experience pain when eating or touching the tooth, have a chipped or cracked tooth, or have tooth mobility. If you share the symptoms mentioned, you become a candidate for a root canal if you intend to preserve your natural tooth.

 

Are Root Canals Painful?

 

Contrary to popular perceptions, root canals are not scary with present-day technology. The procedure does not differ from having dental fillings. The dentist in Providence, RI ensures you are comfortable throughout the process by providing local anesthesia and sedation. If you have facial swelling or fever, you receive antibiotics from the dentist to eliminate the infection.

 

The root canal procedure is no different from getting a large filling but requires more time. You can expect discomfort after the treatment but receive help from over-the-counter medications for pain relief.

 

Is It Possible to Prevent Root Canals?

 

Preventing root canals is not challenging if you follow your regular dental hygiene practices by brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing at least once, getting your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year, and limiting sugary foods and refined carbohydrates. If you follow the suggestions mentioned, your chances of preventing root canals are higher. Unfortunately, if an impact on your mouth chips or cracks your tooth and you leave it untreated, you become a victim of dental pulp infections requiring endodontic treatment to eradicate the disease.

 

Drs Rubinstein and Ducoff perform root canals on many patients helping them save their natural teeth. If you experience the symptoms mentioned within this article, please do not hesitate to contact the doctors to receive root canal treatment.

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