The History of Dentistry
5 Signs You Need Root Canal Treatment
Regina Carlson
If you have a toothache that won't go away, you may be wondering if it's time to see your dentist for root canal treatment. It can be a challenge to know when a problem is serious enough to require the services of an endodontist, a specialist who performs root canals. This blog post looks at five signs that suggest you need root canal treatment.
1. Severe Toothache
A common sign of needing a root canal is having a persistent and severe toothache. This might manifest as throbbing pain or sharp pains when pressure is applied to the affected area. A toothache usually means that the nerve inside your tooth has become infected; when this happens, a root canal may be needed to remove the infection and relieve your pain.
2. Darkening Teeth
Another sign that might indicate you need a root canal is if one of your teeth starts to darken in colour without any obvious cause. This discolouration is often caused by an internal infection in the tooth and will require endodontic treatment to save it from further damage or extraction altogether.
3. Sensitivity To Temperature Changes
If you experience intense sensitivity when eating hot or cold foods and drinks, then it's likely that you have an infection in one of your teeth -- another sign that you need a root canal procedure done on it. This sensitivity should not last for more than a few minutes after consuming something hot or cold; if it does, seek help from an endodontist immediately.
4. Swollen Gums
Swollen gums near a painful tooth usually indicate an internal infection deep within the tooth, which will require endodontic intervention before it gets worse and causes irreparable damage to the gum tissue surrounding your tooth and the neighbouring teeth.
5. Pimple On The Gums
A pimple on your gum line near a painful tooth could also mean that there are bacteria trapped underneath and requires immediate attention from an endodontist who can perform a root canal procedure on it to stop any further spread of infection throughout your mouth.
Conclusion
Root canal treatments can be intimidating, but they don't have to be! If you've noticed any of these five signs, seek professional dental help as soon as possible so they can recommend what kind of treatment would best suit your needs.
For more information about root canal treatments, contact a local dental office today.
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Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved stories about the past. Whether the stories were about horses, wars, exploration or even dentistry, I loved to hear them. I find that knowing the history of something helps it to make sense and feel approachable. I know that some people have dental anxiety, and I too have suffered, but I also feel like the more you know about dental work and its history, the easier it is. This blog is dedicated to exploring the history of dentistry – What did ancient people use for fillings? How did early dentists numb their patients? Who was the first dentist? Those are just some of the questions I plan to answer here. Ready? Okay, let's dive into the history of dentistry together!