When a cavity isn’t treated early, it will gradually progress from the surface of the tooth to the center. When this occurs, root canal therapy is necessary to prevent infection and, many times, extraction. Learn your Prince Albert dentist’s top six signs you need a root canal to help yourself seek treatment (and relief) as soon as possible.
#1: Intense pain
If you experience pain that interferes with your day-to-day activities, like sporadic jolts that make you dread your next meal, you need to have your tooth checked out immediately. Decay can cause the nerves to become inflamed, leading to real sensitivity upon eating and drinking. Schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
#2: A broken tooth
If you’ve got a broken tooth and exposed nerves, a root canal treatment may be the only way to save your tooth from extraction and to restore its original form and function.
#3: Extreme sensitivity
When you start to notice yourself experiencing extreme sensitivity to hot and cold, you may need root canal therapy. When the nerve tissues in your tooth’s root have a problem, so will you — and you’ll know as you struggle to enjoy your regular cold drink or hot coffee.
#4: Swelling around the tooth
Swelling is another common indicator that there’s a problem beneath the tooth’s surface. If you notice inflammation around your tooth — especially if the swelling is combined with significant pain — schedule an appointment with your dentist in Prince Albert to find out if root canal therapy is necessary.
#5: A bump or pimple on your gum
If you notice something that looks like a pimple on your gum, be aware that this bump could be a form of localized swelling related to an infected nerve or pulp. Even if the pimple goes away on its own, you should still visit your dentist to find out if the bump is an indication that a root canal is necessary.
#6: A darkened tooth
Tooth darkening is a major indicator that there’s a problem beneath its surface. If you notice one of your teeth taking on a gray cast, schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately.
Listen to your intuition
If you suspect you’ve got a problem with one of your teeth, don’t wait to get it checked out — remember that a tooth that needs root canal therapy will never get better on its own. Contact the office of Dr. Janzen and Dr. Gogolinski to schedule a Prince Albert root canal today!