Generally, you may experience acute pain when the decay has advanced. At that point, there is a good chance that you may need a root canal treatment. Regular visits to the dentist help identify tooth decay, and they will help you decide on a solution. At Northgate Dental Centre Ltd., we have a dedicated family dentist who will assist you in planning dental treatment for you and your loved ones.
What Is a Root Canal?
Severely decayed teeth need root canal treatments. When the infection due to the decay reaches the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth, you experience sharp pain. This is mostly felt while eating and drinking. During the treatment, the infected tooth pulp is removed, and the treated tooth is sealed.
It is thought that the process is painful, but it is actually the infected tooth that causes the pain. If you don’t treat the infection, it might:
- Spread to the other parts of your face, neck or head
- Cause bone loss around the tip of the tooth root
- Cause development of pus around the infected tooth
The General Symptoms
Some people may not experience any symptoms. However, some of the common indicators of needing root canal treatment are:
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. Initially, you may feel sensations in your teeth after having cold food like ice-cream or scorching ones like coffee. Gradually, you may start experiencing a sharp sensitivity to anything you have, even water.
- Severe toothache after chewing or drinking. This happens when the root containing the nerves gets infected. Antibiotics can help in fixing the pain along with the root canal.
- Darkening or yellowing of the tooth that occurs from poor cleaning habits and continuous exposure to food which harms the tooth enamel.
- Swelling in the surrounding gums. Your dentist may try medications to reduce the swelling. If it doesn’t work, a root canal may help.
- Chipped or cracked tooth. If you have broken or cracked your tooth, you need to be careful. The nerves beneath the surface of the tooth are exposed after the damage, which may cause infection. You will need a root canal to prevent further infection and pain.
- Deep decay. When you have neglected the cavity for too long, you will face extreme symptoms that signify that the decay or the infection has reached more profound levels. In this case, no amount of flossing or rinsing can ease the pain.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Your dentist may direct you to get x-rays of the damaged tooth to identify the extent of the infection. Based on the results, the treatment will be planned.
Depending on the severity of the infection, the dentist may need to administer local anesthesia for the root canal treatment. It will also help you feel relaxed.
Once the cleaning is entirely over, the sealing of the tooth is essential. Later, the outer tooth is restored with the help of a crown. You can use it just like a regular tooth.
Get Help Today
Root canal treatments are very successful and provide relief to all patients. Call us today and schedule an appointment for healthy teeth.
