Root Canal Symptoms: Do You Need Therapy?

A root canal procedure is commonly known as one of the more painful and frightening treatments that a dentist provides. This is why simply uttering the phrase “root canal” will instantly make most people react with fear and anxiety. But have you ever needed to get a root canal treatment before? Do you know exactly what types of dental conditions require this type of invasive treatment? If you don’t, there is no need to worry. Most people have no idea either!

Surprisingly, even though most people understand the intensity of the pain and discomfort that is associated with a root canal procedure, they don’t exactly know what it is or why a dentist may find it necessary to perform one. Let’s take a closer look at different root canal symptoms a person may suffer from to let them know whether or not they need this invasive dental procedure.

But first, do you know exactly what a root canal treatment is?

A root canal treatment is a corrective dental procedure that is used to save a tooth from infection and/or decay. During a case of tooth decay or infection, the soft pulp (which is made up of various blood vessels, connective tissues and nerves) inside the tooth becomes damaged and destroyed.

If your tooth is infected badly, a root canal procedure then becomes necessary to avoid further damage to the tooth and to prevent the infection from spreading to other teeth and parts of your mouth. The primary aim of a root canal treatment is to clean out and remove the infected pulp tissue in the tooth to prevent further problems.

So how do you know if your teeth are infected and you need a root canal treatment? The best way is to pay attention to your mouth and monitor yourself for common symptoms of tooth decay and infection. The earlier you can catch your infection, the easier it will be to deal with. If you catch tooth decay early enough, perhaps you won’t need a dental corrective procedure that is as invasive as a root canal procedure.

What are the symptoms you need to look out for?

In some cases of tooth decay and infection, the dental patient doesn’t feel any symptoms that lead up to their root canal treatment. However, there are many symptoms that are quite commonly felt by those suffering from tooth decay. As a matter of fact, the pain that is associated with root canal procedures has more to do with the painful symptoms that the patient feels rather than the actual procedure itself. As a matter of fact, root canal treatments should usually be as painful and uncomfortable as getting a filling placed to correct a cavity.

Common root canal symptoms include:

• Moderate to severe pain in the infected tooth and surrounding tissues, especially during chewing or when anything bumps against that area.
• A darkening or discoloring of the infected tooth.
• A prolonged sensitivity to temperature changes. Either hot and cold temperatures can cause pain and sensitivity in infected teeth and the pain will last for some time after the temperature changing elements have been removed.
• Any tenderness or swelling of your gums or other oral tissues.

If you are feeling any of these aforementioned root canal symptoms and feel like you may need to properly handle some tooth infection or decay, please contact us anytime at Gables Sedation and Family Dentistry. We will happily and professionally handle your root canal therapy as quickly as possible, in order to minimize the pain and discomfort that is normally associated with this procedure. If you have any concerns or questions about root canals or any other oral conditions, please contact us anytime!