7 Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy

Trying to figure out if you need a root canal? During the early stages of a dental problem, it can be difficult to know whether or not dental work is required.

Only your Winnipeg dentist can determine many of these signs. This is because physical symptoms typically don’t arise until the problem has advanced. For this reason, it is important to visit your Winnipeg dentist every 6 months.

But what happens if you don’t see your dentist before a problem escalates? Chances are your tooth might become infected and will require root canal therapy.

Root canal therapy saves a damaged tooth that has become badly decayed or infected. Your dentist will remove the nerve and pulp of the tooth, clean the inside of it and seal it.

Unsure whether you need a root canal or not? Read the following 7 warning signs:

Chronic Pain

Does it hurt to eat or drink? If these everyday activities have become painful, it is time to visit your dental clinic in Winnipeg.

Your dentist will examine your affected tooth for inflamed blood vessels or nerves as a result of infection. They might decide root canal therapy is necessary since antibiotics can’t fix these types of infections.

A Chipped or Cracked Tooth

Chipped or cracked teeth may be the result of eating hard foods, injury during contact sports or damage caused by previous dental procedures.

If your tooth is cracked or chipped, the nerves can become exposed, leading to an infection. When a tooth’s root becomes infected it can enter the bloodstream and spread. To prevent further infection and pain, a root canal may be required.

Heat or Cold Sensitivity

If you have trouble consuming hot or cold foods and beverages due to tooth sensitivity visit your dental clinic in Winnipeg. Your dentist might choose to do a root canal to ease the pain associated with an infected tooth.

Swollen Gums

If your gum is swollen, then you may require root canal therapy. Your dentist will examine your gums to see if inflammation is the culprit. Gums that have become swollen, painful and have developed a bump are signs of problems beneath the surface.

Tooth Discoloration

Have you noticed that your tooth looks discoloured compared to the rest of your smile? Discoloration can occur due to poor oral hygiene, consuming dark-coloured foods and beverages or nerve damage beneath the tooth’s surface.

If your Winnipeg dentist identifies nerve and blood vessel damage, they will have you schedule an appointment for root canal therapy.

Prolonged Sensitivity

Have you experienced sensitivity that has lasted the last few weeks or months? If placing pressure on your tooth causes prolonged sensitivity, it is likely that you have a damaged root.  Your dentist can alleviate this pain and prevent it from spreading through root canal therapy.

Deep Decay

If you have a cavity that has been left untreated for a while, it can spread into the nerves and the root of your tooth. At this point, brushing, flossing or rinsing won’t solve your problem.

The only way you can save your tooth is through root canal therapy, hence why practicing oral hygiene and visiting your Winnipeg dental clinic regularly is so significant.