3 Signs That You Need A Root Canal
Many people need a root canal at some point in their life. It is not uncommon to have an infection in your tooth that becomes so bad that you need to get the problem treated with a root canal. Here are some signs that the problem has become severe and you might need a root canal.
1. You Can Feel Hot and Cold On Your Tooth
Usually when you eat hot or cold foods you cannot feel it with your teeth. Instead, your tongue may burn, or your gums and sides of the mouth feel the sensation, but the teeth shouldn't be feel the temperature change. The exception is people who have sensitive teeth and enamel who would be sensitive to cold foods. However, when you have a problem with one tooth that needs a root canal you will notice that when you eat hot or cold foods your tooth, just the one tooth, feels pain or a sensation. This is because the nerve is actually exposed and so it is causing you to feel everything that you eat.
2. Pain
Pain in your mouth is never a good sign. If you ever experience pain, you need to see the dentist. It could just be a sinus infection where the inflammation is around your teeth and causing the roots to hurt, and this would be treated with an antibiotic. Or it could be an actual infection in the tooth or that the root is exposed. Some people feel pain so severe that it wakes them up at night and it gets so bad they are unable to eat, sleep, or do any normal activities. In this case, you probably need a root canal, and you need to see an emergency dentist.
However, the best solution is to treat the pain before it becomes serious. If you have a toothache, get into the dentist right away. The problem may be able to be corrected with a simple filling rather than a whole root canal if you catch it early enough.
3. An Abscess
Lastly, if you notice a growth around a tooth or on your gums, you could need a root canal. An abscessed tooth happens when you have an infection in the tooth that pools into your gums. It will feel like you have a growth about the size of a nut or even as big as a marble in your gum. This is a serious problem and should be treated right away.
By knowing what to look for in your teeth, you can protect yourself. Contact a clinic like Pinon Hills Dental for more info.
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