Root canal therapy is necessary when the nerve tissue inside your tooth, known as the dental pulp, becomes inflamed or infected. Left untreated, the infection can spread and become a severe problem. Prompt treatment for a damaged or infected tooth nerve is essential to prevent tooth loss and other issues.
While root canal therapy is renowned for being painful, modern techniques and anaesthesia options can make the procedure relatively comfortable for most patients. Knowing the signs indicating you need a root canal can help you get the treatment you need immediately.
Severe Tooth Pain
If you experience intense pain in your tooth that does not subside could indicate the need for a root canal procedure. Some signs of severe tooth pain that requires emergency dental care include:
Pain that wakes you up at night or keeps you from sleeping. Tooth pain severe enough to disrupt your sleep is not normal and must be addressed immediately.
Swelling or inflammation of the gums near the painful tooth. Swelling can be a sign of infection that requires antibiotic treatment and possibly a root canal to clear out the infected pulp tissue.
Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. If you experience sharp pain when eating or drinking something hot or cold localised to one tooth could mean the tooth’s nerve is damaged or inflamed and needs treatment.
Pain that is constant and does not improve with over-the-counter pain medication. Tooth pain that persists for more than a couple of days.
If you notice any of the above signs, contact a Dentist in Indore immediately for an evaluation and to discuss whether a root canal or other procedure is needed to treat your tooth pain and any related infection. Prompt treatment can help save your tooth and prevent complications.
Gum Swelling
Gum swelling around the tooth could indicate an infection in the root canal that requires treatment. See Dentist in Indore if your gums appear red, swollen, or tender near a tooth.
An infected root canal releases toxins that irritate the surrounding tissue. As the infection progresses,pressure builds up, causing the gums to swell and become painful. Left untreated, the swelling may lead to an abscess that requires emergency treatment.
To determine if a root canal procedure is needed, Dentist in Indore will examine the tooth, tap it for sensitivity, and may order X-rays to check for bone loss or widening of the root canal space. If the nerve tissue inside the root canal has become infected or inflamed, a root canal will be recommended to save the tooth.
During root canal therapy, the Dentist in Indore opens the tooth’s crown and removes the infected or inflamed nerve tissue from the pulp chamber and root canal. The space is then cleaned, disinfected, filled and sealed to prevent re-infection. A crown is often placed over the tooth to strengthen it.
Persistent Gum Pimples
You may require a root canal procedure if you notice small pimples or pustules that form on your gums and do not clear up within a week or so. These pimples indicate an infection in the root of your tooth that has spread into the surrounding gum tissue. As the disease progresses, the spots can fill with pus and become painful. They will not heal on their own and require a Dentist in Indore.
An endodontic therapy, or root canal, is necessary to save the tooth and eliminate the infection. The Dentist in Indore will drill into the tooth during this procedure to access the root canals containing infected pulp tissue. They thoroughly clean, shape, and disinfect the canals before filling and sealing the tooth. This effectively removes the infection and prevents re-infection, allowing your gums to heal.
Without treatment, the infection can become severe, leading to tooth loss or other complications that impact oral health and function. Persistent gum pimples are one of the most common signs that a root canal is needed to resolve an infection in its early stages.
If you notice these symptoms, schedule an exam with a Dentist in Indore immediately for an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment. They can adequately assess your unique situation, take X-rays if needed, and recommend an appropriate course of action to eliminate the infection, reduce discomfort, and restore your oral health.
Gum Swelling
You may require a root canal treatment if your gums are swollen, tender, or pulling away from your teeth. As an infection in the tooth pulp spreads, it can enter the bone and soft tissue surrounding the tooth, resulting in swelling and inflammation of the gums. When brushing or flossing, your gums may become very sensitive, sore, and bleed easily.
The swelling is usually localised to the area around the infected tooth, though it may spread to your cheek in severe cases. The swollen area may be hard or soft to the touch. Swelling of the gums signals an active infection that requires prompt treatment by a Dentist in Indore to avoid permanent damage to the tooth, gums, and supporting bone. A root canal is necessary to remove the infected pulp, disinfect the empty chamber and root canals, and seal the tooth to prevent re-infection.
Antibiotics are often used in conjunction with a root canal therapy for gum swelling to help control the spread of infection and reduce inflammation before the procedure. However, antibiotics alone will not cure an infected tooth – a root canal is still needed to resolve the problem entirely.
Suppose the swelling is significant or does not start to improve within a few days of antibiotic treatment. In that case, you should immediately contact a Dentist in Indore for emergency care to avoid complications. Early diagnosis and treatment of gum swelling from an infected tooth pulp is critical to saving your natural tooth.
Discoloration of Teeth
Teeth that are turning dark in colour or becoming grey may indicate the need for a root canal. As the pulp inside the tooth decays, it begins to die from within. This dying process can change the tooth’s colour and shade. The tooth’s enamel is translucent, so the colour of the pulp tissue underneath shows through. The tooth takes on a darker, greyish hue as the tissue decomposes.
Discoloration is often one of the first visible signs that a root canal is needed to save the tooth. The dying pulp tissue releases pigments that seep into the dentin and enamel, causing the tooth to stain. The stain will not go away with regular brushing or teeth whitening treatments. Root canal therapy is the only way to remove the discolouration and restore the natural tooth colour.
During treatment, the Dentist in Indore will remove all the infected and necrotic pulp tissue from the tooth’s centre. The tooth can then be bleached internally to restore the natural shade. A tooth-coloured composite resin is usually placed on the outside of the tooth to match your smile. A root canal can save and restore the tooth to look completely natural.
Discoloration indicates that it is time to consult a Dentist in Indore to discuss root canal treatment before the tooth is lost completely.
Conclusion
As you have read, several symptoms could indicate the need for a root canal procedure to treat an infected or damaged tooth. Don’t ignore signs like pain, swelling, sensitivity to hot or cold, darkening of the tooth, or a foul taste in your mouth.
A root canal is a standard dental procedure that can relieve discomfort and save your natural tooth. Consult a Dentist in Indore immediately if you notice any of these issues – the sooner treatment begins, the better your chances of successful treatment and avoiding tooth loss.
Dentist in Indore can properly diagnose if a root canal is needed and develop a customised treatment plan to resolve the problem, restore your oral health, and get you back to smiling and enjoying life.