7 Major Symptoms When You need to Perform a Root Canal

A root canal is the dental method for cleaning out decay in your tooth’s root and pulp. The teeth consist of an enamel layer, a dentin and a soft core for extension into the root of your jawbone. The cone has a dental pulp which includes blood vessels, connective tissue and nerves. When decay gets into your soft core, the pulp may get infected, inflamed or necrotic (dead). A root canal may help to clean out tooth decay.

What happens during a root canal?

During a root canal, the dentist will:

• eliminate bacteria and decay from the tooth root, nerve and pulp
• fill your empty roots
• disinfect the area by taking antibiotics
• seal the area to prevent new tooth decay

The root canal prevents the problem of decay and leaves your natural tooth in place.

Symptoms of a root canal

The only way to perform a root canal is by seeing a dentist. The sooner you can treat your tooth, the better the result will be.

1. Constant pain
   

   Persistent toothache is among the signs you require a root canal. The tooth pain might bother all the time or it may go way from time to time but return back again. You can feel the pain deep in your tooth bone or referred pain in your jaw, face or in the other teeth.

   Tooth pain can have other causes other than root canal. Other possibilities are the following:

• damaged filling
• cavity
• gum disease
• infected impacted tooth
• referred pain from sinus infection or other problem

1. Whatever might be the cause, it is always a good idea to visit a dentist when you suffer from extreme toothache, particularly when the pain gets constant. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, you will be able to get better result.

2. Heat and cold sensitivity

   Does the tooth hurt when you eat hot food or drink coffee? Well, your tooth becomes sensitive when you are enjoying ice cream or drinking cold water. The sensitivity may feel like sharp pain or dull ache. You may need to undergo a root canal when pain remains for a long time even when you stop eating or drinking.

   If the tooth hurts at the time of eating or drinking something hot or cold, then it may denote that the nerves and blood vessels in your tooth are damaged or infected.

3. Tooth discoloration

   When there is an infection in your tooth pulp, this may cause the tooth to get discolored. The breakdown of internal tissue or trauma to tooth may cause damage to the roots and give gray-black look. The tooth pulp may die when there is insufficient supply of blood for possible requirement for a root canal. Though there can be other causes for your discoloured tooth, it is a good decision to see a dentist when you find a tooth changes its colour.

4. Swollen gums

   If there are swollen gums near your affected tooth, this denotes an issue which requires a root canal. The swelling can come and go and may be tender on touching it or might not be painful to your touch. Swelling occurs due to acidic waste products of the dead pulp tissues which cause swelling or edema outside the area of the root tip.

5. Pain when eating or touching tooth

   If your tooth becomes sensitive at the time of touching or eating, then it may denote severe tooth decay or nerve damage. This needs to be treated with a root canal therapy. This is particularly the case when sensitivity to a tooth remains over time and does not go away when you stop eating.

6. Cracked or chipped tooth

   If you have a cracked or chipped tooth in contact sport, by chewing on something hard or in accident, then the bacteria may set in and cause infection and inflammation. When there is some injury to your tooth without cracking or chipping, this can cause damage to your tooth nerves. The nerve may get inflamed and can be the reason for sensitivity and pain which require performing a root canal.

7. Tooth mobility

   When a tooth gets infected, it will become loose which can occur due to other factors than nerve death or pulpal necrosis. It may be an indication that a root canal is needed. The acidic waste products which take place due to death of nerves can soften the bone around your drying tooth root causing mobility. If one or more tooth becomes loose, the mobility will possibly have a cause than an issue which require a root canal.

Can a root canal cause hurt?

A root canal method seems to be scary though there is little to no pain as the dentist uses local anesthesia to numb your gums and tooth. So, you will feel very comfortable during the procedure.

If you need to perform a root canal and have fever or facial swelling, then the dentist may give antibiotics for killing the infection. This may help to lessen tooth pain.

How you can prevent a root canal

It is essential to follow good dental hygiene habits and prevent tooth cavities and other problems. For keeping your teeth strong and healthy, you should follow these steps:

• Brush teeth at least two times in a day
• Floss between the teeth once daily
• Rinse your mouth thoroughly
• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Clean teeth professionally by the dentist once a year
• Visit a dentist for routine checkups in every 6 months
• Limit the intake of refined carbohydrates and sugary foods

These foods will stick to your teeth and so, try rinsing mouth or brushing teeth properly.

Will you still suffer from tooth pain after performing a root canal?

Yes, it is quite possible to get tooth pain even after a root canal treatment. Some causes include:

• root canal does not heal properly
• tooth injury that allows new decay to enter a tooth
• root canal is not disinfected completely due to complicated root anatomy
• new decay infects root canal filling material leading to new infection

Thus, if there is some kind of infection inside the tooth pulp and root, then this may be the reason for discomfort and pain. When there is persistent tooth pain or other symptoms, it is advisable to see a dentist quickly for proper diagnosis and treatment. This dental procedure does not involve much pain and you will feel better after performing it. Book your appointment for a root canal treatment in Bromley and get it done successfully.