Root canal treatment
is a very widely known dental procedure (and an unfairly feared one that typically causes no more pain than a routine filling), but how will you know if you actually need it? The goal of the treatment is to remove an infection that could slowly destroy your tooth from the inside out and eventually pose a threat to your overall health. You should get in touch with your emergency dentist right away if you notice any signs of such an infection; below are 5 common symptoms that you should always pay attention to.
1. Persistent Toothaches
If an infection is attacking the roots of your teeth, you’re likely to notice a certain level of pain. It could be a constant ache that never goes away, or it might occur whenever you eat or drink something. Untreated dental pain can get in the way of your everyday life and have an impact on your overall mental state; it’ll be better for your overall wellbeing if you visit your emergency dentist as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause.
2. Visible Tooth Damage
A crack in your tooth isn’t just unattractive. It’s also an opening for harmful bacteria to invade and cause an infection. Unless you act quickly, the problem could reach the bloodstream and spread to the rest of the body. Root canal therapy will give your dentist a chance to remove an infection that might have occurred and repair the damage to the tooth itself with a crown.
3. Temperature Sensitivity
If your tooth hurts every time you eat a spoonful of ice cream or take a sip of coffee, it’s likely a sign of nerves and blood vessels that have been damaged by bacteria. Tooth sensitivity can have multiple causes, but you shouldn’t rule out root canal therapy as a potential solution until you’ve had a proper examination.
4. Swollen Gums
Oral infections usually lead to inflammation – in other words, they cause the gums to become painful and swollen, or they might cause bumps to form. Root canal therapy is often the answer for such inflammation.
5. Darkening of the Tooth
As the nerves are gradually destroyed by bacteria, your tooth will start to take on a darker color. Hiding the discoloration with a veneer or whitening is not a good idea in this situation; you need a treatment that will address the problem directly.
These symptoms all require immediate care, but there’s no need to panic; root canal therapy is a common, highly successful form of treatment, and it by no means needs to be a painful or frightening experience. If anything, you’ll soon experience relief from your discomfort as well as the fear that you’ll be losing a tooth in the near future!
About Endodontic Associates Saratoga
Here at Endodontic Associates Saratoga, Dr. An Nguyen, Dr. Frances Lee, and Dr. James Sanfilippo provide high-quality, specialized endodontic care for every patient that needs it. They offer same-day emergency care for anyone who is suffering from the pain of a dental injury or an advanced infection. To schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (408) 255-6511.
