Root canals are agonizing procedures that must be performed when a tooth has decayed to a point where nerve tissue is impaired. Sometimes it is difficult to know if a root canal is necessary because the symptoms can be associated with other dental maladies.
Lingering Pain
If moderate to severe pain lingers after eating or drinking hot or cold foods or liquids, you might need a root canal. A toothache that lasts for several minutes and is very painful may indicate a need for a root canal. However, if mild pain is experienced and is not prolonged, a root canal is likely unnecessary. This may be symptomatic of the sore tooth requiring a filling or a crown. If the pain does not go away or becomes increasingly worse after 6 weeks, a root canal may be needed.
Painful Chewing
If chewing food or biting into food causes pain or a tooth is very sensitive to any touching, you may need a root canal. Swelling may also occur around the tooth that hurts. Another indicator is if you wake up at night feeling pain and you must take pain medicine to relieve the ache.
If you experience pain when eating sweets that does not last long, it is likely a cavity, a loose filling, or receded gums. A root canal would only be needed if decay is so deep that it touches the nerve tissue. Also, if there is swelling of the gums but no pain, it is probably an abcess infection. A dentist can get an x-ray of affected area to determine if this is the case.
Radiated Pain
If there is pain in one area or one tooth and it radiates to other areas, this is characteristic of the need for a root canal. An example of this is if pain extends from one region to the lower or upper jaw or head. Sometimes a lower molar may extend to the ear causing an earache. Or an upper molar extends to the head, causing a headache.
Gum Problems
Watch for bubbly areas on the gum that look like pimples. If you put pressure on this area and either blood or pus is ejected, this could mean you need a root canal.
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