Root canal therapy can rescue badly infected teeth from unnecessary extraction. There are times when the extraction is the only possible action to prevent the spread of a severe infection throughout your body, but timely and nearly painless root canal therapy in Carrollwood can eliminate the infection and save your tooth — and health.
How do you know you need root canal treatment? There are three especially significant clusters of symptoms that may indicate the need for urgent root canal treatment at a dentist in Carrollwood.
Pain
Because the material in the interior of your tooth is very sensitive, extreme tooth pain can indicate a serious infection requiring root canal therapy in Carrollwood. Pain is an unreliable symptom, however, since some teeth requiring a root canal don’t cause any pain. Having said that, extreme and tooth pain can indicate the presence of several dental issues that warrant urgent attention. Other causes of tooth pain that may not require a root canal, but should be looked into by a dentist near you include tooth decay, fractured teeth, exposed dentin, and advanced periodontal disease.
There are six indications that your pain may require root canal therapy near you:
- You’re experiencing a pulsing and lingering toothache
- You experience severe tooth pain while chewing
- The pain is strong enough to interfere with your sleep
- Placing pressure on the affected tooth triggers pain
- You experience pain after drinking or anything with an extreme temperature — hot or cold
- Pain may arise spontaneously, for now, apparent reason, and either be intermittent or constant
Tender and swollen gums
Swelling comes in many forms, all indicating some abnormal condition. Swelling related to dental problems — on its own or along with a toothache — may appear: as mere gum tenderness although the tissues themselves appear normal; as a large lump you can see or feel on your gums; in extreme cases, in your neck and/or face. Swelling along does not necessarily mean that your root canals are infected or that you need root canal therapy, though it’s a good indication something is amiss that warrants a dentist’s attention. There are four indicating that your swelling may indicate the need for root canal therapy near you:
- Swelling that has persisted for a lengthy time and that is pronounced, not minor
- You notice a boil that looks a lot like a pimple on your gums
- You have recurring pimples on your gums
- The tooth in the affected area seems to be taller or sit higher than its neighbours
Halitosis and abscesses
The multiplication of bacteria inside your tooth’s root canal can emit foul odours in the form of halitosis (bad breath) that will not disappear with the use of mouthwash.
Abscesses that can develop within a badly infected tooth produce pus that appears originally as a swollen and tender bump. You might initially confuse it with a pimple, but will increase in size and may drain and vent foul-smelling and foul-tasting pus. The presence of an abscess and pus indicates a very advanced infection requiring immediate attention.
Discolored teeth
Root canal infections can change the color of your teeth because of the reduction in blood flow. While many things can have that effect, root canal-related changes will affect the infected teeth but not its neighbors. If a tooth is turning dark yellow, gray, or blue, it may indicate a root canal infection. A dark tooth is a sign of a badly infected tooth that, if not dealt with quickly, will weaken and kill the tooth’s nerve.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms — and especially if you’re experiencing any combination of these symptoms that has persisted for any length of time — get attention from a dentist in Carrollwood as soon as possible.