You wake up in the middle of the night with a horrible toothache, or perhaps you take a sip of a cold drink and immediately feel a jolt of pain. Your first instinct is to panic because you’re fearful of what the dentist will say, and you don’t want to endure a lengthy procedure.
It’s important to understand the signs that you might need a root canal and why there’s no need to panic when it comes to this common dental procedure.
What Is a Root Canal?
Root canal therapy is designed to remove infected tissue from inside your tooth’s pulp chamber. Once we clean and disinfect the inside of your tooth, we seal it to prevent reinfection and then add either a dental filling or crown to protect and restore it.
Many people believe a root canal will be painful, but the truth is that root canal therapy actually eliminates the pain you’re feeling and often saves your tooth from extraction.
5 Signs You Need a Root Canal
If you experience any of the following symptoms, we recommend contacting our dental clinic because you might need a root canal:
- Persistent pain — If you feel intense, throbbing pain that doesn’t go away when you take over-the-counter pain relievers, you could have an infection.
- Lingering sensitivity — If you feel pain from hot or cold foods or drinks, and the sensitivity lasts after you finish eating or drinking, you could have nerve damage.
- Swollen gums — If your gums are red and swollen and feel tender, you might have a dental infection that needs attention.
- Pimple on your gums — If you notice a bump or pimple on your gums, it can indicate a dental infection. It’s best to give us a call.
- Tooth discolouration — If your tooth appears grey or black, it could mean that the pulp chamber is decayed.
Need a Blacktown Dentist?
If you’re experiencing severe tooth pain and need emergency dental care, we’re here for you! At Peak Dental Care, we can alleviate your discomfort and get you the gentle treatment you deserve.
To book a visit with us, we welcome your call on (02) 9831 4046.
We hope to hear from you soon.
