4 Signs You May Need A Root Canal Treatment

Most people understand when they have a dental issue. They may have severe discoloration, bleeding gums, or intense pain that will not go away. Unfortunately, a large portion of these issues are occurring due to an underlying infection that requires immediate treatment. Dentists can create small incisions in your gums to remove infected pulp from a tooth's roots. Once infections are cleaned and removed, the area is filled with a dental-grade material to prevent further infections and tooth loss. Known as a root canal treatment, the popular procedure is performed 41,000 times each day in the United States. Here are a few common signs that you may need this common dental treatment.   

Abscess

If you have an infection in your tooth's root, a pocket of pus will form on the gum tissue. In most cases, the pocket of pus will look very similar to a small pimple. Not only is the pocket unattractive, but it can also become painful when eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth. This pocket of pus is known as an abscess and is usually a sign that you will need to undergo a root canal treatment.

Before performing the actual root canal procedure, your dentist will need to drain the abscess. After draining the abscess, your dentist can begin cleaning out the infected pulp to improve your chances of saving the affected tooth.  

Pain

Most people with an underlying infection will feel intense pain. This pain may begin in the roots of the tooth, spreading through the nerves and causing the jaw, head, and even neck pain. The pain can be so severe that many patients will visit the emergency room of their nearest hospital for relief. However, your dentist can most likely stop the pain by removing the infection with a root canal treatment.

If you are experiencing this pain in the mouth, teeth, and gums, contact your dentist immediately.

Decay

If you are suffering with multiple cavities, you probably have a tooth infection. Check your teeth for signs of cavities, which will look like small black dots on the teeth. These cavities are early forms of tooth decay that require immediate assistance. If left untreated, the decay will spread, eventually causing you to lose one or more teeth.

Your dentist will determine the best course of treatment based on the severity of your cavities and other dental issues. Cleaning the decaying matter and filling the cavities may be sufficient for preventing tooth loss. If other dental issues are noted, you may require a root canal treatment to save your tooth.

Trauma

Car accidents or injuries while playing sports may cause trauma to your mouth, severing the root of a tooth. The tooth may fall completely out or it may remain intact, requiring treatment of the root.

Time is of the essence, so visit your dentist as soon as possible to improve your chance of restoring the tooth. While your dentist may be able to reattach a tooth that has been completely dislodged, damage to the underlying root will require a more involved treatment.

Dentists will use x- rays to determine the exact damage the root and nerves of the tooth before offering suggestions for treatment. If the pulp of your tooth is exposed due to the trauma, a root canal procedure will be conducted to clean the area and reduce the risk of an infection.

Root canal procedures may be common, but most people do not truly understand why they are so popular. Using this guide and your dentist's help, you will know a few common signs that that you may require a root canal treatment.