Any time that a hole or crack appears in the enamel of your tooth, it’s a boon for bacteria but a bad thing for the soon-to-be dental patient. Why? It allows the bacteria to reach the tooth’s soft, pulpy interior and begin to multiply. An infection soon follows, and once it has begun, there’s no way for the body to remove it on its own. Unchecked, infected dental pulp can lead to:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Abscess
- Tooth loss
- Joint issues
- Cardiovascular issues (e.g., heart attack, stroke)
- Sepsis
- Death
The standard treatment for dealing with such infections is a root canal, which is also known as an endodontic treatment. Designed to protect the tooth itself, a root canal involves cleaning out the interior area of the tooth, sterilizing it, and filling it with a cement-like material.
When the soft pulp inside the root of a tooth becomes infected, a root canal is needed. Symptoms of this problem are tooth pain, gum sensitivity, lingering tooth sensitivity, or discoloration of the tooth. The dentist may need to take an X-Ray to determine if a root canal is necessary.
Sometimes the signs are noticeable – if you have a severe toothache or an obvious cavity, then you know that a root canal is likely in your future. On the other hand, the problem hasn’t become evident to you because it takes the experienced eye of a dentist to know what signs to look for and spot a problem before it escalates. Many physical symptoms usually don’t start until the problem has become more advanced, and in turn possibly more costly to repair, which is why it’s so important to see your dentist regularly. Regular preventative care visits can help you to avoid root canals altogether.
If you suspect a problem with one or more of your teeth, do not ignore the signs. The only surefire way to know for sure if you need a root canal is by paying a visit to the dentist.
However, there are several warning signs to be on the lookout for.
- A chipped or cracked tooth:
Many chipped and cracked teeth are the result of an accident or biting on something hard. Even the tiniest chip or hairline crack in your tooth is enough to allow harmful bacteria into the inner area of your tooth to gradually cause decay and set up an infection.
- Persistent toothache:
The truth is, that not all types of tooth pain are indications of a root canal, so it can be difficult during those early stages of a problem to know if better oral hygiene efforts can solve the issue or if dental work is required. Obviously, a horrible toothache is a major sign that you may need a root canal. It may be a continuous throb or it may come and go, but strong and persistent tooth pain, especially if it gets worse when eating, biting down, or otherwise disturbing the tooth, is a signal that you need to make an appointment to visit the dentist as soon as possible.
It’s important to remember that tooth pain seldom goes away on its own and you need to see a dentist to address the underlying problem that’s causing the pain.
- Lingering Sensitivity:
Painful sensitivity to hot or cold that does not dissipate quickly is a possible sign of damage to the nerve within your tooth, and this can be an indicator that you may need a root canal.
- A Darkened or Discolored Tooth:
Has one of your teeth suddenly turned grey or black? While some tooth discoloration is common and can be amended with a tooth whitening treatment, having a severely discolored tooth is indicative of severe tooth decay or the breakdown of internal tissue and might be a sign that root canal treatment is needed.
