Taking care of your teeth is extremely important. However, sometimes, even with brushing and flossing daily, a tooth can become damaged, even with little signs. If there is deep decay or infection, your dentist may be telling you about needing root canal treatment.
This blog will help you understand the signs you might need a root canal in SW Calgary, why it happens, and what to expect.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a dental treatment option that can save a tooth that has a severe infection or damage due to injury. There are neurons and blood vessels inside each tooth, which are referred to as the pulp. If the pulp becomes infected or inflamed, you may experience significant pain and swelling.
Root canal therapy will help remove or eliminate the infection in the pulp, clean the tooth from inside where the pulp was and seal the tooth to prevent any further infection. This allows you to preserve your natural tooth instead of losing it.
How to Know If You Need a Root Canal Treatment
It can be very difficult sometimes to know if you need a dentist in SW Calgary. The signs may be different for everybody. Below are some common symptoms that will indicate you need a root canal:
Early Warning Signs of Needing a Root Canal
You may start experiencing some warning signs before it turns into a bigger problem. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should see your dentist right away
| Warning Sign | What It Means |
| Tooth pain when chewing | Infection may be pressing on the tooth’s nerves |
| Sensitivity to hot or cold | Tooth pulp may be damaged or infected |
| Gum swelling near a tooth | Possible abscess or infection near the root |
| A small bump on the gums | This could be a pus-filled abscess |
| Darkening of a tooth | May be a sign of pulp damage or dead tissue |
Symptoms That Indicate a Root Canal Is Necessary
Let’s take a closer look at some strong signs that you may need root canal therapy:
1. Persistent Tooth Pain
If a tooth continually hurts for extended periods (not necessarily when eating or drinking) it may mean that the tooth pulp is infected. The pain may be sharp, dull or simply feel like pressure deep in the bone.
2. Pain When Biting or Touching the Tooth
Pain when biting down or even touching the tooth may suggest infection at the root, which usually means that the tooth will need a root canal.
3. Long-Lasting Sensitivity to Hot or Cold
If your tooth hurts when you drink hot soup or eat ice cream and the pain lasts longer than a few seconds, it may mean a much deeper issue than just sensitive teeth.
4. Swelling or Tender Gums
The gums can become swollen, red, or tender when there is an infection of the tooth. You may also see or view a bump or pimple-like area on or near the tooth.
5. Tooth Becomes Dark
If your tooth looks grey or black, it could mean the inside of the tooth is badly damaged or dying. This often happens when the pulp—the soft tissue with nerves and blood vessels—is infected or has died. When the pulp is no longer healthy, the tooth loses its natural colour and may need root canal treatment to stop the damage and save the tooth.
6. Loose Tooth
If your adult tooth becomes loose, it means there may be a problem with the root of that tooth, or there is an infection in or around the bone where the tooth resides.
Why Root Canal Treatment Is Important
If you don’t treat the tooth infection from inside the tooth, it can spread to other parts of the body, and it may get worse. A root canal allows you to:
- Keep your natural tooth
- Stop the pain and swelling
- Keep your smile healthy
- Avoid other dental treatments that would be worse than the root canal
What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?
Here’s what usually happens at your dental appointment:
- Numbing the Area – The dentist near you will inject local anesthesia into your mouth so that you can’t feel the area and to prevent any pain.
- Removing the Infected Pulp – In this step, the dentist removes the damaged tissue that was causing the infection inside the tooth.
- Cleaning the Inside – The inside of the tooth is cleaned out, and the tooth is free of bacteria or germs.
- Sealing the Tooth – Once cleaned, the dentist will fill the tooth and seal it, preventing any further infection from occurring.
- Placing a Crown – In some situations, a full or partial crown is placed over the tooth by a professional to protect the tooth and provide strength to the tooth once again.
When to See a Dentist
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, do not wait too long. Reach out to your dentist and book a time to see them as soon as possible. The sooner the problem can be caught, the easier it is to fix it.
Ignoring signs can lead to:
- More pain
- Bigger infection
- Tooth loss
- Expensive dental work
Save Your Tooth with a Root Canal Treatment!
At Beyond Dental, we help treat infected or damaged teeth using safe and gentle root canal treatment. Our highly-trained, experienced dentist will help remove the infection, clean the inside of the tooth, and place a crown to protect your tooth from the infection and, in doing so, preserve your natural tooth.
If you require help with your tooth pain, please call Beyond Dental to book your appointment!