Symptoms That Indicate You Might Need Root Canal Treatment

Having a root canal treatment can help you regain your dental health. Most people are not aware of their need for this procedure. You may be one of those who dismiss some symptoms because of your busy schedule. If you want to know about the symptoms indicating your need for root canal treatment, here are the facts.

Tooth sensitivity to cold and heat

This is when a patient experiences sharp pain from consuming hot or cold foods and drinks. The pain often lingers long after. It may cause the patient to feel under the weather. This may be an indication of nerve damage or infection. Seeing the dentist at the onset of such pain will help determine if the patient needs a root canal treatment.

Persistent severe pain

Persistent pain is a definite symptom indicating the need for a root canal treatment. This pain is from the nerve damage in the pulp. The feeling is intense while eating. The pain may go away for a little while, but it always comes back. This can be taxing to the patients. Facial and jaw pain may also occur.

Gum swelling

Inflamed gums near the concerning tooth may be a problem requiring a root canal treatment. This swelling may happen and then stop. It may or may not be tender to the touch. The swelling may be a result of acidic bacterial waste. A pimple or gum boil may also appear next to the infected tooth.

Discolored tooth

The infected tooth may also change in color. The deterioration of a tooth’s internal tissue or dental trauma can damage the tooth roots. This will result in a grayish appearance. At this stage of the infection, the tooth pulp does not have enough blood supply anymore. A root canal can bring back the healthy coloration of the affected tooth.

Tooth mobility

An infected tooth may feel a little loose. This may be a symptom of nerve death inside the tooth. The tooth may need a root canal treatment. The acids from the bacteria and the nerve death can deteriorate the bone around the root. This causes tooth mobility.

Cracked or chipped tooth

A cracked or chipped tooth from an injury, accident, or eating a hard piece of food may lead to infection and swelling. Trauma can also damage the pulp. This often results in nerve inflammation. The dentist will perform a root canal treatment if the fracture has not reached the gumline yet. If it has, tooth extraction must happen to prevent the infection from spreading to the jawbone.

Gum sores

Canker sores are common. These appear because of hot drinks or acidic foods. Canker sores often heal on their own. The bacteria from these sores cause other sores in the gums.

These sores are like pimples underneath the surface of the gumline. The growths look like white bumps full of bacteria. They may recur in the same spot near an infected tooth. Pain is also present in the gum area where the pimples grow. The pus forming in these sores produces a foul taste in the mouth.