5 Warning Signs You Might Need Root Canal
Dentists recommend root canal to patients that have infected teeth that can be saved. Rather than extracting the tooth and perhaps eventually replacing missing teeth with dentures, root canal allows your natural teeth to be saved. This is especially applicable to those who pick up on the infection earlier than others. But many of our patients wonder: what are the signs you need root canal? Today, we’re sharing the top five signs you’re due for root canal at our Berwick dental surgery clinic.
#1: You feel pain in your tooth
A persistent or recurring toothache is the biggest warning sign that you may be in need of root canal. Unfortunately, there is no singular type of toothache that distinguishes whether you’ll need root canal. The pain itself can differ from person to person – for one, it might be a slight discomfort, and for the other, it might be a piercing pain.
Take note of any noticeable patterns in your tooth pain. Is it triggered in response to something, or is it onset randomly? What kind of pain is it? Can you locate an epicentre for the pain or is it more general? Regardless, you should see a dentist as soon as possible to figure out what the cause of your pain may be – it may very well turn out that you need root canal.
#2: Your gums are swollen and tender
The state of your gums can also often reflect the state of your oral health. Swollen gums are commonly indicative of deeper issues, such as an infection that requires root canal. It’s important to note that while swollen gums may be tender to touch, they don’t always go hand-in-hand with pain.
Like tooth pain, gum swelling can appear in many different ways. You may feel your gums swell slightly around your affected tooth, or you may notice a boil pop up in that area of your mouth. It’s also possible for the swelling to spread to your face and even your neck. The best thing you can do if you notice anything out of the ordinary is to take note and let your dentist know as soon as possible.
#3: Your tooth is more sensitive than usual
While your teeth may normally be sensitive to hot and cold changes, a growing intense pain after consuming something hot or cold may be a symptom of an infected tooth. This is because your nerve endings can become increasingly damaged as the infection progresses. Ultimately, this leaves you susceptible to painful sensitivity, particularly on the side of your mouth that contains the affected tooth.
#4: The affected tooth is discoloured
The most obvious visual sign that your tooth might be infected – and thus requires root canal – is that it’s discoloured. A dark discolouration in particular may indicate that damage has occurred to your nerve endings and blood vessels due to the infected root. Discolouration can be a symptom on its own and does not need to be painful in order to require a root canal treatment.
#5: You’re displaying secondary symptoms
Although it isn’t necessarily common, some patients may experience a fever or additional general illnesses as a result of their tooth infection. These are known as secondary symptoms, and may also include:
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing; and
- Swelling in your face or neck.
You may find that over-the-counter painkillers and antibiotics do little to nothing to relieve your pain. This is fairly common with most toothaches and indicates you need to see a professional as soon as possible so they can perform your endodontic treatment.
Do you require dental surgery in Berwick?
Even though you may not be experiencing all of these signs and symptoms, it’s possible you still need root canal. Some infections don’t cause patients any pain and can therefore only be detected by a dentist. It’s vital to continue going to your bi-annual dentist appointments at Eden Rise Dental for this precise reason.
Although it can be daunting, if you suspect that you require our Berwick dental surgery services, then we urge you to book an appointment as soon as possible. Our caring dentists will be there to assist you from diagnosis to recovery, and are dedicated to making the process as comfortable as possible for you.
To book an appointment with our family-friendly Berwick dental surgery clinic, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on (03) 9702 6111 today.