Root Canal Treatment: Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Tooth pain is extremely common and something that many people try to tough out. Sometimes, however, tooth pain can be caused by issues inside of the tooth itself and ignoring this pain can cause additional problems. One of these problems can be an infection of the pulp of the tooth. The pulp is the soft tissue inside of the tooth and if this tissue becomes infected, inflamed, or if the tooth dies, this can cause additional issues such as infection of surrounding tissues and abscesses. If this is the case, then a root canal may be needed to save the tooth and alleviate the pain.

 

Knowing the signs of a tooth infection can help someone go to the dentist before things get worse. If you have a tooth with pain and swelling, increased sensitivity, or any other odd symptoms, you should go see a professional dentist in Deira Dubai for  root canal treatment.

What Is Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is a procedure to treat infection or inflammation within a tooth. The inner portion of a tooth consists of a soft tissue known as dental pulp that consists of nerves and blood vessels.

 

Bacteria can enter the pulp through deep cavities, cracks or breaks in the tooth, or from repeated dental procedures. If left untreated, the infection can spread within the pulp or external jaw bone causing an abscess.

 

During a root canal procedure, the inflamed or infected dental pulp is removed from the tooth. Afterwards, the root canals are cleaned and shaped to be prepared for a final restoration. Afterwards, a temporary restoration is placed to prevent infection. It is recommended that the tooth also be restored with a crown to prevent fracture and enhance the function of the tooth.

Signs You May Need Root Canal Treatment

  1. Persistent Tooth Pain

 

Persistent tooth pain is perhaps the most evident sign that a problem is present within the tooth. Pain may be present constantly, or may occur sporadically.

 

Pain may be present when biting down or may spread toward the jaw and face. Pain may also occur when chewing, or when pressure is applied to the tooth. Pain may occur when coming in contact with other teeth.

 

Not every toothache necessitates root canal treatment, but the presence of pain should never be ignored. Decay and gum disease may also cause persistent tooth pain. A visit to the dentist should be made to discover the cause of the pain.

 

  1. Sensitivity to Hot and Cold

 

Temporary tooth sensitivity is perfectly normal. However, if you continue to experience sensitivity for long periods of time after consuming hot or cold food or drinks, this may mean your tooth has become irritated or damaged.

 

An example of this may be if you continue to experience tooth pain or sensitivity after drinking a hot coffee or a cold glass of water. If this is the case, you should make an appointment with your local dentist in Deira Dubai for further investigation.

 

  1. Pain When Chewing or Biting

 

One potential reason you might feel pain when chewing is that one of your teeth may have inflammation of the root. Pain while chewing can also be attributed to:

 

  • Infected tooth
  • Deep tooth decay
  • Fractured tooth
  • Damaged filling
  • Inflammation of the root

 

Also, a dentist may conduct an examination of the affected tooth and determine if there is a need for dental x-rays to help find the cause.

 

  1. Swollen or Tender Gums

 

Swelling around a particular tooth may indicate the pulp has become infected and the swelling has spread to the surrounding areas.

 

Raised, reddened and swollen gums indicate inflammation (or an infection) of the gum tissue. The swelling may extend to the jaw and/or face. Untreated infections can get worse. Therefore, swelling of the gums should be evaluated as soon as possible.

 

  1. A Small Bump on the Gum

 

A dental abscess or gum boil is a small pimple-like bump next to an infected tooth. It may come and go or release pus. Some people may experience an unpleasant taste in their mouth.

 

Even if the pus makes the area feel better, the infection is still present. The only way to completely get rid of the infection is to have the source, i.e. the infected tooth, taken care of by a dentist.

 

  1. Tooth Discoloration

 

When a tooth appears darker or more gray or discolored than the adjacent teeth, it could mean that the tooth has internal damage. This can be the result of:

 

  • A trauma to the tooth
  • Injury to the tooth
  • Damage to the tooth’s blood supply
  • Infection of the tooth pulp

 

Not every discolored tooth needs root canal treatment. Every discolored tooth should be evaluated by a dentist.

 

  1. Cracked or Chipped Tooth

 

Cracks and fractures can let bacteria enter the inside of the tooth. Even a small crack that is difficult to see may affect the dental pulp.

 

Pain and sensitivity may be experienced after a tooth has cracked or chipped. Further damage may occur if dental treatment is not done at this stage.

 

  1. Deep Tooth Decay

 

Dental fillings are used to treat tooth decay that does not affect the pulp. When tooth decay extends to the pulp, a root canal treatment is required. A dental check-up and a professional cleaning can help to find cavities early, before they affect the pulp.

What Happens During Root Canal Treatment?

The procedure may vary slightly from tooth to tooth, but the general approach for a root canal procedure is the same.

 

The dentist will examine the tooth, take X-rays to help determine the condition of the roots and surrounding area, and apply local anesthesia to numb the area to provide comfort during the procedure.

 

Once the area is numb, the dentist will drill a small access cavity in the tooth to allow for the removal of the infected or damaged pulp.

 

The root canals are then cleaned, enlarged and shaped to allow for a complete cleaning and removal of the infected tissue. Once the infected tissue is removed, the canals are disinfected.

 

Once the canals are disinfected, they are filled and sealed. This prevents bacteria from re-entering the roots.

 

To maintain the functionality of the tooth, a dental crown may be placed. A crown is used to protect the tooth and restore chewing ability.

Why You Shouldn't Ignore the Symptoms?

Dental infections often do not go away on their own. Pain may go away or decrease when the nerve in the tooth gets damaged but this doesn’t mean the infection is gone.

 

The infection may spread to surrounding areas and cause:

 

  • Dental abscess
  • Swelling of the gums
  • Bone loss in the jaw
  • Swelling of the face
  • Tooth loss
  • More pain and discomfort

 

Going to the dentist at an early stage for appropriate dental care in Deira Dubai may help solve a smaller dental problem before it gets worse.

Benefits of Root Canal Treatment

Root canal therapy is most successful when the goal is to preserve the natural tooth. There are many benefits to preserving the natural tooth, including:

 

  • Relief from pain related to infection
  • Comfort and ease when chewing
  • Preservation of infection from spreading to other areas
  • Normal function of the teeth
  • Avoiding extraction

 

After a successful root canal therapy, a crown and other restoration, the natural tooth can provide normal function for a long time, as long as proper oral hygiene practices are followed.

How Can You Help Prevent Root Canal Problems?

While dental infections can’t always be avoided, they can be minimized by maintaining good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth with floss or interdental cleaners should be done twice daily. On top of maintaining good oral hygiene, minimizing sugary foods and drinks can also help prevent tooth decay.

 

Regular dental checkups should not be overlooked. Decay and cracks can be detected before they cause the nerve of the tooth to die. Likewise, other issues with gums and fillings can also be identified. Dental Trauma and fractures as well as persistent and unexplained sensitivity and pain are reasons to see a dentist. You should not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Get Root Canal Treatment at Next Care Dental Clinic

Next Care Dental Clinic offers professional assessment and treatment for patients who have experienced symptoms associated with dental infections such as persistent tooth pain, sensitivity, swelling and more. The dental team assesses the condition of the affected tooth and determines if the natural tooth can be saved by performing a root canal treatment. 

 

People who are looking for a dental clinic in Deira Dubai who offer comprehensive dental services can contact us to have their symptoms evaluated. It is important to receive proper dental care to alleviate symptoms of discomfort caused by an infection and damage to the tooth.

Conclusion

It’s important to not ignore warning signs of a possible dental problem. Some of those signs may be persistent tooth pain, swollen gums, sensitivity, changes in tooth color, pain while chewing or having a difficult time chewing, or even having a foul taste in your mouth that lasts for a while. If these issues persist, this can affect the living tissue of your tooth. This can lead to a damaged, infected and dying tooth. To fix this, a root canal is necessary to remove all the infected tissue, relieve the inflammation and save the tooth. If you think you may have symptoms of a tooth infection, it’s recommended to visit a dental clinic in Deira Dubai to have your issues evaluated and treated to prevent further damage and to help your long-term oral health.

FAQs

Is root canal treatment painful?

Root canals have a bad reputation but are not as bad as most people think. The treatment is done in a similar way to filling a tooth and does not cause more discomfort than that. It is normal for there to be some minor soreness after the procedure which goes away on its own after a few days.

How long it takes for treatment to be finished depends on what the tooth looks like and how many root canals the tooth has. One tooth may take just one visit while another may require a couple.

Yes, absolutely. The goal of root canal treatment is to remove all infected tissue to save the natural tooth. A tooth that has undergone a root canal treatment needs to be restored and requires regular cleanings and good oral hygiene habits to help the tooth survive for many more years.

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