Signs You Should Pay Attention To That May Be Indicative You Need A Root Canal Treatment

Endodontic therapy, also called a root canal, is a procedure performed by a dental professional that targets infected or damaged pulp inside the tooth. The pulp of a tooth is the soft tissue located within the tooth that contains blood vessels, nerves, and other connective tissues. When a tooth’s pulp becomes inflamed or infected, it can cause significant pain. It could lead to abscess formation if left untreated. Endodontic therapy, as offered by local Granite Bay, California dentists like Dr. Colby Smith at Granite Day Dentistry, will allow for the removal of any damaged or infected pulp tissue so that the tooth can be cleaned, disinfected, and sealed. Root canals are often all that stand between retaining and losing a tooth.

Signs You May Need A Root Canal

Several signs indicate that a person may require endodontic therapy:

1. Chronic tooth pain: Continuous or severe toothache, especially when biting and putting pressure on the tooth, can be a sign of pulp inflammation or infection. The pain may worsen over time and may not respond to pain relievers
2. Temperature Sensitivity: Enhanced sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures, even after the provocation is removed, may indicate nerve damage or infection within the tooth
3. Gum swelling or tenderness: Redness, swelling, or tenderness of the gums around a specific tooth may suggest an underlying infection in the pulp
4. Tooth Discoloration: Tooth darkening or discoloration, particularly if it is accompanied by pain or sensitivity, may indicate pulp damage or death
5. Prolonged sensitivity to touch: Sensitivity to pressure or touch on the tooth, such as when eating or brushing, can be an indication of pulp infection or inflammation
6. Abscess formation: A pimple-like swelling on the gums, accompanied by pain and pus discharge, may indicate the presence of an abscess, which occurs when the infection spreads beyond the tooth’s root
7. Cracked or fractured tooth: Damage to the tooth, such as a crack or fracture, can expose the pulp to bacteria, leading to infection and inflammation

If any of these signs are present, it’s essential that you seek a prompt dental evaluation and treatment. Endodontic therapy will help eliminate pain, save the affected tooth, and prevent the spread of infection to surrounding tissues.

If you think you may need a root canal, the team at Granite Bay Dentistry would like to welcome you. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith, please call (916) 735-4720.