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No matter how much we take care of our teeth, problems are bound to happen. Dental problems can be extremely painful and cause a lot of discomfort to the patient. In the past, there were many treatments available to fix dental issues and patients had to suffer from pain and discomfort or rely on traditional remedies. However, this has changed now.
Today, there are a variety of dental treatments available for almost all kinds of dental problems. One of the most commonly used dental treatments is a root canal.
Root canal treatment is required when the soft tissue or pulp that lives inside a tooth’s root canal becomes inflamed or infected to an extent that it cannot be restored to a healthy condition without treatment. The systems of inflamed or infected root canal vary but the treatment generally used for the problem is the same.
Knowing if you require a root canal treatment isn’t easy as during the early stages of the problem, the problem can be fixed by practicing better oral hygiene. Some signs of a root canal can only be determined properly by a dentist. However, there are a few signs that you can identify yourself. In this post, we are going to discuss those signs:
1. Persistent Pain
One of the major indicators that something isn’t right with your tooth’s root is persistent pain. If you feel pain when eating or drinking, you should get yourself checked as soon as possible.
Your dentist will examine your teeth to see if the nerves or blood vessels have become inflamed because of infection. If a root canal is required, your dentist will tell you. If not, they will recommend you to practice good dental hygiene.
2. Prolonged Sensitivity
Some people experience occasional sensitivity to cold or hot liquids or foods. However, prolonged sensitivity may indicate a major problem – it is a sign of infection in the pulp. In this case, you should get yourself checked by a dentist to see if the problem is in fact related to the root of your tooth.
3. Cracked or Chipped Tooth
Sometimes teeth can get cracked or chipped from eating hard foods. When your tooth gets chipped or cracked, the nerves beneath the tooth’s surface can get exposed and become infected. Infection in the root of your tooth could enter the bloodstream if not treated in time. Infection should, therefore, be treated as soon as possible with a root canal to prevent further issues.
4. Swollen Gum Area
If you notice swollen and painful gums, don’t wait to get yourself checked by a dentist. Swollen and painful gums may require a root canal treatment.
5. Discoloration of Teeth
One of the most obvious symptoms of infection is discoloration. However, just because your teeth are yellow doesn’t mean that you need a root canal.
If your tooth has darkened or turned grey, the reason behind this discoloration could be an infection in your tooth. So, if your tooth is turning dark or grey, get yourself checked by a dentist. You can book an appointment with a dentist on this website.
6. A Loose Tooth
If your tooth is loosening, it could mean that it has lost some kind of support. This could happen if the pulp of the teeth recedes because of infection or if abscess destabilizes your tooth. Sometimes, a tooth can get loosen due to some other reason and infection forms in the empty space if the tooth isn’t removed properly.
7. Exposed Nerves
Losing dental work like crowns or fillings could lead to exposed nerves. These nerves may lead to intense pain when cold or hot substances come into contact with the tooth. Your dentist may recommend you root canal treatment if you have exposed nerves in teeth.
8. Tenderness or Discomfort When Chewing or Touching
You may experience discomfort when you touch the tooth that is infected or when you eat something. This symptom usually occurs in the early stages of the infection when the pulp of the tooth is affected. They reappear if the infection spreads to the tooth’s root.
Root Canal Treatment Can Help You
If you notice any of the signs discussed above, it could mean that you have a major dental issue that can be resolved only with a root canal. Root canals are common and aren’t always painful. It hurts more to continue eating or drinking with damaged tooth than to get it treated with a root canal. Most patients don’t experience any pain during the root canal procedure. You might feel some minor aches after the root canal is done, but they will subside within a few weeks.
Steps Involved in Root Canal
The purpose of a root canal is to remove an infection from your teeth thereby eliminate the pain that’s bringing you agony and discomfort. In the procedure, infected pulp tissue and nerve of the affected teeth are removed. Root canal procedure isn’t complicated but involves a number of steps. These include:
X-Ray
If your dentist suspects that a root canal treatment is required, they will take X-rays to determine where the tooth decay is located.
Anesthesia
The dentist will administer anesthesia to the affected tooth.
Pulpectomy
After administering anesthesia, the dentist will make an opening to remove the tooth pulp. They use very small instruments for cleaning the pump.
Filling
After the infected area has been cleaned, the dentist fills the root canal with a material called gutta-percha. This material is placed with an adhesive cement to ensure that the root canals are completely sealed. In the majority of cases, a dentist places a temporary filling to close the opening and removes it before the teeth are restored.
We have told you all the signs that indicate that you might need a root canal. Now if you are experiencing the signs we discussed, book an appointment with a dentist to see what the problem is. If a root canal is required, don’t wait to get it done as the problem can worsen over time if not fixed.