How do I know if I need a root canal?

05 Jun

How do I know if I need a root canal?

How Do I Know If I Need a Root Canal? Key Signs to Watch For

Knowing when you need a root canal treatment can save you from unnecessary pain and tooth loss. Root canal therapy is typically required when the soft tissue inside your tooth, called the pulp, becomes infected or damaged. But how do you recognize this problem early? Here are the most common signs that you might need a root canal:

1. Persistent Tooth Pain

If you experience ongoing, severe tooth pain — especially when chewing or applying pressure — it could be a sign that the nerve inside your tooth is inflamed or infected.

2. Sensitivity to Hot or Cold

A tooth that reacts painfully to hot or cold foods and drinks, even after the stimulus is removed, may indicate nerve damage needing treatment.

3. Discoloration of the Tooth

Darkening or discoloration of a tooth can be a sign that the pulp is dying or infected.

4. Swelling and Tenderness

Swelling around the gums near the affected tooth, sometimes accompanied by tenderness or a persistent pimple-like bump, may signal an abscess — a serious infection that usually requires root canal therapy.

5. Prolonged Gum Pain or Sensitivity

Pain or tenderness around the gums near a specific tooth can point to underlying issues in the tooth’s root canal system.

6. Looseness of the Tooth

If your tooth feels loose, it could be due to infection damaging the supporting tissues and bone.

When to See a Dentist?

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to visit your dentist as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can save your natural tooth and prevent further complications.

Tag: doctor, medicine