4 Signs You Might Need a Root Canal
December 15 2020 by Mills Haven Dental
Our teeth are complicated little things that are made of many different parts. The tooth’s “pulp” is a soft tissue that has blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. It’s not uncommon for the pulp of your tooth to develop an infection. If severe enough, this infection can spread and even kill your tooth.
That’s where a root canal comes in. Your dentist will perform this procedure to clean out the decay and seal off your tooth from further infection.
If you experience any of these four symptoms, you should reach out to your dentist immediately because you may need a root canal.
#1 Tooth Pain and Sensitivity
Tooth pain and sensitivity are the most obvious symptoms of an infected tooth. A healthy tooth shouldn’t give you any discomfort, but if your tooth is sore to the touch, throbbing, or more sensitive as of late… well, that could be a sign that something isn’t right.
Your tooth might also feel like it’s loose. This is because the infection may have weakened the bone structure that supports your tooth, making it easier to wiggle around.
Tooth pain, sensitivity, and looseness can be indicators of many issues, but you should never take them lightly. Make sure to visit your dentist right away.
#2 Tooth Discolouration
If your tooth becomes a gray or black colour, that is an indicator that something is amiss. A pulp infection attacks the internal tissues of your tooth, which means that blood flow is restricted, and tissues may even die. This alters the colour of these tissues.
Your enamel, which is the outer layer of your tooth, is slightly translucent. Therefore, that grayish colour is coming from the inner layers of your tooth. Make sure you chat with your dentist if you notice your tooth changing colour.
#3 Sore or Swollen Gums
Once enough pus builds up inside your tooth, it will start spreading to your gums. This may cause your gums to swell up and be sore. Your gums might start to bleed during your usual flossing routine.
You may also develop a kind of “pimple” on your gums. This is the infection trying to get out, and it can be painful. You may also notice an unpleasant taste or smell coming from the abscess. Do not pop this abscess on your own! Your dentist will likely need to put you on antibiotics to properly clear up the infection.
Whenever you have sore gums, you need to talk to your dentist immediately. Inflamed gums can be a sign of gum disease, which is no joke!
#4 Tender Jaw
If the infection gets really bad, it could start to affect your jaw. Any swelling, tenderness, or sharp pains in your jaw need to be investigated right away. All of this can be caused by pus that doesn’t properly drain from the infection site.