Are you having problems with your oral health? According to the Canadian Dental Health Association, 84 percent of Canadians believe they have good or excellent oral health. The choice and availability of dentists are not a significant concern for most Canadians.
If you encounter any dental problems, such as tooth decay, you can find the most experienced and affordable dentist in Hamilton or anywhere in Canada. A common sign of something wrong with your teeth or gums is persistent and debilitating tooth pain.
Although toothaches don’t always require a root canal, it’s often the only practical dental treatment to save infected or severely damaged teeth. Root canal procedures are usually performed as an emergency dental treatment.
It’s essential to have your teeth treated as soon as possible to prevent serious complications. But several early warning signs may indicate the necessity of a root canal, and we’re highlighting them below.
Root Canal and What It Means
Known as endodontic therapy, a root canal is one of the safe and effective dental procedures to treat and relieve the pain of inflamed or infected tooth pulp. In most cases, it’s performed to prevent reinfection of the pulp and save the natural tooth.
Several factors can infect your teeth. But the most common dental conditions of infections occur due to cracked teeth or severe, untreated tooth decay. When teeth are infected with bacteria and left untreated, the infection can spread to the tooth’s roots and other tissues and cause complications.
The infected pulp is removed during a root canal treatment, and the hollow area is cleaned using tiny files and irrigation solutions. Once disinfected, the teeth will be filled and sealed with a rubber-like material.
Most general dentists are capable of performing root canal procedures. But endodontists have a higher level of expertise in root canal treatment, which is why they are often referred to as root canal dentists.
Signs You Need a Root Canal
It can be challenging to determine if tooth pain requires a root canal. Besides the fact not all teeth that need this treatment show these symptoms, many common signs can only be discovered by a dentist. That’s why dental checkups are a crucial part of oral health care.
Besides maintaining oral hygiene, ensure to visit your dentist regularly. Regular checking of your teeth can help detect problems before they get worse.
But, if it’s not possible for you, here are significant signs of teeth problems that may need to be treated with root canal procedures:
1. Persistent Tooth Pain
Experiencing tooth pain doesn’t always mean you must undergo root canal treatment. Many dental problems can cause painful teeth. Regardless, a toothache is usually an indicator that something is wrong with the root of your tooth.
The toothache can start from mild discomfort to excruciating pain or tooth sensitivity. You might feel sharp pain all the time or only when you’re chewing. Or the pain may go away from time to time but always comes back.
If you feel severe pain deep down in your tooth that radiates to your jaw, face, or other teeth, it might be a sign that you need a root canal. But a thorough exam by a general dentist or endodontist using x-rays is the best way to determine if there’s any inflammation or infection and whether a root canal is necessary.
2. Discoloration of Your Teeth or Gums
A discoloured tooth or gum is usually the result of poor oral hygiene or teeth-staining foods, such as coffee, tea, or cigarettes. But numerous factors can cause gum and tooth discoloration, such as nerve damage below the tooth’s roots.
Let’s say you have untreated tooth decay. It can reach through the dentin and into the tooth pulp chamber that consists of nerve endings and blood vessels. The bacteria from the infection can run through these crucial veins and infect the roots of your tooth. Discoloration can occur at the affected tooth pulp when blood fails to flow smoothly.
So, while a darkened gum or tooth doesn’t always mean the necessity of root canal therapy, it’s always better to see your dentist, especially if a toothache accompanies the discoloration. If the dentist determines that the grayish-black appearance in the tooth is due to an infected pulp, undergoing root canal treatment might be necessary.
3. Swelling, Discomfort, and “Pimples” on Your Gums
Like tooth pain, swollen gums may come and go. Swelling can also range anywhere from mild to severe, with accompanying inflammation. You may or may not feel tenderness when you touch the affected area. Either way, it can signal an early stage of infection at your tooth’s roots. You might need to go through a root canal if you feel pain around the swollen gums, so keep an eye on it and see a dentist.
You may experience slight discomfort from hot and cold foods if you have sensitive teeth. But the pain of typical tooth sensitivity usually subsides quickly. If you still feel soreness even after the food has been removed, it might be a sign of infection needing a root canal treatment. The sensitivity in an infected tooth is much more focused, so pay attention to where you’re experiencing the pain.
Many people develop a pimple or boil on the gums due to acidic foods or hot beverages. Such cases usually go away on their own. But pimples on your gums can also be due to leakage of infected fluids. If this is the situation, a root canal treatment might be necessary to prevent the spread of infection.
Why You Need a Root Canal
Undergoing root canal therapy is necessary when the pulp inside your teeth is infected, usually when there’s a cavity or decay left untreated for an extended period. Note that infection at your tooth’s roots can spread to other areas of the mouth and cause dental complications.
Tooth removal is an alternative procedure to relieve a painful tooth caused by infection. But nothing functions as well as a natural tooth. If the dentist or endodontist determines that root canal therapy can save the natural tooth, it can be a better option. However, it’s worth noting that in other cases, tooth extraction is the only dental procedure to preserve your overall oral health.
Did you know?“In the early 1920s, dentist Weston Price ran a series of tests and erroneously concluded that root canals cause cancer. The myth permeates to this day.” |
Dentistry on 7th Can Help Save Your Teeth
Remaining vigilant with any signs of tooth pain or other dental health issues is critical to acquiring the proper diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. If you think you’re dealing with a dental problem that can be resolved with root canal therapy, pay a visit to your dentist or endodontist at the first sign of an issue.
If dental appointments make you anxious, the Dentistry on 7th is here to help with your fears and concerns associated with oral health issues. We have a team of dentists who work hard to give you the best treatment and most pleasant experience possible. Our clinic is located in Milton and Hamilton. But you can reach us in our Milton location at 905-864-3368 in case of an emergency.
Schedule an appointment today if you observe or experience any of the symptoms mentioned. Our team of dentists will help get your smile back.
FAQs on Root Canals
1. Are root canals painful?
With local anesthesia, a root canal is a painless procedure. However, you may feel soreness or tenderness in your mouth for a few days after a root canal treatment. You can take over-the-counter painkillers or medications recommended by your dentist.
2. Can you fix teeth discoloured after a root canal?
Some root canal procedures can discolour or stain the tooth for several reasons. But the most common cause is when a deadened dentin is left in the pulp or inside the tooth. You can reduce discoloration using teeth whitening. However, it may not whiten your root canal-treated teeth as effectively and quickly as it does in your natural tooth. Internal bleaching may be a better option.
3. What can be done when a root canal fails?
Retreatment is the most common option when a root canal fails. This procedure involves removing the filling materials placed in the root canals during the first root canal treatment.
Once the canals are reopened and disinfected, the endodontist will examine the tooth for new infection and real the areas to stop further irritation and exposure to bacteria. If retreatment doesn’t work successfully, root end surgery or tooth extraction are the following options.