Signs You May Need a Root Canal

A root canal is a procedure to alleviate pain caused by an infected tooth. During a root canal procedure, a dental surgeon will remove the part of the tooth that is infected. Afterward, the dental surgeon will fill the tooth in to seal your tooth. There are several clues to look for when trying to figure out whether or not you need a root canal. Here are a few:

Broken tooth - A cracked tooth results in the nerves of your tooth becoming exposed, which causes unwanted pain and discomfort. You can get rid of the discomfort from a cracked tooth by getting a root canal.

Sensitivity - If you notice that one of your teeth has become sensitive to hot or cold foods, it is important not to ignore it. Sensitivity is a sign that something is wrong with your tooth. Visit Family Dental Wellness. We will check your tooth and see if you need a root canal. 

Swollen gums - Swollen gums don't always mean you need a root canal. Your gums might swell from not practicing proper dental hygiene, cavities, or gingivitis. 

Tooth discoloration - Tooth discoloration could result from infection, aging, genetics, or poor dental hygiene. Instead of guessing what it is, please make an appointment with one of our dentists! We can make sure you don't need a root canal. 

Deep decay - Keeping up with brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash is essential to maintaining good dental hygiene. Failure to keep up with dental hygiene will result in deep decay settling on the base of your teeth. Once this happens, there is no way of reversing it. If you notice deep decay on your teeth, contact our office immediately. Ignoring tooth decay will result in needing a root canal.