Do You Need a Root Canal?
Root canal treatment often gets a bad reputation, but it’s actually a procedure designed to save your natural tooth and relieve pain. Many patients are unaware they need this treatment until the problem becomes severe. Recognizing the early warning signs can help you seek treatment promptly and avoid more complex dental issues down the road.
Persistent Tooth Pain
One of the most common indicators that you may need a root canal is ongoing tooth pain that doesn’t go away. This pain might be constant or come and go, but it typically worsens when you bite down or apply pressure to the affected tooth. The pain can range from a dull ache to sharp, shooting sensations that interfere with your daily activities. Unlike temporary sensitivity, this discomfort persists and often becomes more intense over time.
The difference
Sensitivity to Hot and Cold
While mild sensitivity to temperature changes is normal, prolonged sensitivity that lingers after the hot or cold stimulus is removed could indicate nerve damage inside your tooth. If you experience sharp pain when drinking coffee or eating ice cream that continues for several minutes afterward, this suggests the tooth’s pulp may be infected or inflamed. This type of sensitivity often develops gradually and becomes more pronounced as the condition worsens.
Swelling and Tenderness
Swelling around the affected tooth, along the gum line, or even extending to your face and neck area, is a serious sign that shouldn’t be ignored. This swelling may be accompanied by tenderness when you touch the area or enlarged lymph nodes under your jaw. Sometimes, a small bump or pimple-like formation appears on the gums near the problematic tooth, which may release pus or have a bad taste. These symptoms indicate that infection has spread beyond the tooth itself and requires immediate attention to prevent further complications.
