4 Telltale Signs You Need a Root Canal

Damage to your tooth that impacts the canal that houses that tooth’s soft tissue can be a potential problem, or you may have active symptoms of infection and pain. You may shudder when hearing the phrase, “You need a root canal.” 

However, those words are the first steps to relief, not additional pain. The fact is, root canals done with contemporary dental anesthetics are painless. It’s the tooth damage that’s the problem. 

Visit Preva Dental to learn more about root canal therapy and why it’s often the best way to save a natural tooth. When you understand the benefits of the procedure as well as how comfortable you’ll be in treatment, you’ll realize that a root canal is nothing to fear at all. 

Root canal fundamentals

The root canal is a physical feature of a natural tooth, the space where soft tissue called the pulp dwells.  Pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue —  all of which support the tooth and its development. 

Adult teeth can function without the pulp once they’re fully developed. They continue receiving nourishment from the surrounding tissue in the gums.

Root canal therapy opens the root canal to remove the pulp and eliminate any decay inside the tooth. After cleaning, the canal is filled with a biocompatible material and sealed to protect against bacteria entering the space. 

4 telltale signs you need a root canal

Decay and damage don’t always indicate the need for root canal therapy. Sometimes, cleaning or fillings may be all you need. When inflammation or infection reaches the root canal, however, you will need root canal therapy to protect, or even to save, your tooth. 

There are some common telltale signs that damage or infection has grown to a critical point. These include: 

1. Pain

Pain develops when decay is present deep within the tooth and irritates the nerves. Without treatment, irritation or infection can spread into the tooth’s root, causing persistent pain.

2. Swollen gums

Swollen gums are the warning signs of dental issues that include gum disease and the side effects of damage or infection. From here, pain can increase, and infections can spread. You’re at risk of developing more urgent health issues.

3. Temperature sensitivity

Damage or infection can lead to increased sensitivity to cold and hot drinks, and sometimes this is a sign that root canal therapy is necessary. You may favor chewing away from the affected tooth. Visit us to investigate the cause behind any sudden emergence of temperature sensitivity. 

4. Cracked or fractured teeth

Any damage to a tooth, including breaks, chips, or cracks, can expose nerve tissue if it reaches the root canal. Even exposure to air can cause pain and sensitivity. Left untreated, you have an increased risk of abscess and infection.  

Call or click to book an appointment with our San Antonio office if you have any of these telltale signs of tooth trouble. At Preva Dental, your oral health is our first focus, so schedule your visit now.