The prospect of a root canal can be unnerving. But if you need one, they can provide immense relief and put your overall dental health back on the right track, hopefully with as little discomfort as possible.
The root cause of the need for a root canal comes out in one of two ways. Severe tooth decay can cause inflammation or infection of the pulp deep in the inner part of a tooth. An injury can also trigger the need for a root canal. You might think you can “tough out” the pain, but don’t. Ignoring your pain or discomfort can lead to worse problems down the road, including a rapidly spreading infection.
Recognizing the signs of a root canal can help you figure out when to call the dentist for root canal services. At Supreme Dentistry, we provide services for root canals in Houston, Texas, and we’re here to help get your health back on track. Call us at 844.966.2333 to schedule a consultation.
3 Early Signs of a Root Canal
Pain in a tooth isn’t necessarily an automatic sign of the need for a root canal. But it raises the possibility. Here are three signs that you might need to contact Supreme Dentistry or your local dentist to discuss a root canal:
- Lingering sensitivity – This type of pain may start as a minor twinge that you can feel in response to cold or hot beverages or sweets, but it doesn’t go away. This could indicate that the nerve inside the tooth is exposed and needs to be treated with a root canal.
- Swelling and tenderness – If a tooth is infected, the area around it may become tender and swollen. A foul taste in your mouth could accompany this.
- Darkening of tooth – An injury or infection can cause a tooth to become discolored or even darken noticeably. In some cases, this occurs internally, without a visible discoloration from the outside.
Contact Supreme Dentistry if you have one or more of these root canal symptoms.
What to Expect from a Root Canal Procedure
You may have heard stories about the difficulty of sitting for a root canal. Indeed, they aren’t pleasant. But when handled by skilled practitioners such as those on our Supreme Dentistry staff, the impact is far less intense than people realize.
During a root canal, the dentist works on the inner parts of the tooth. Their job is to clear the infected pulp from decay or injury. The dentist also removes the nerve. After clearing out the tooth’s root canal, the dentist then seals it with dental cement. Once that’s complete, the dentist then builds and puts a crown over the affected tooth. After a few days of recovery, your tooth is almost as good as new.
What Happens if You Don’t Get a Root Canal Treated
Neglecting a root canal treatment can lead to serious consequences for both your oral and general health. Here are a few potential risks:
Abscess Formation
If an infected tooth is left untreated, it can lead to an abscess, a pocket of pus that forms around the end of the tooth root. Abscesses can cause immense pain and may require surgical intervention if they burst and spread the infection.
Spread of Infection
The bacteria causing the infection in your tooth can spread to other areas of your mouth or even to other parts of your body, posing significant health risks.
Tooth Loss
Over time, a severely infected tooth can decay to the point that it must be extracted. Tooth loss can have a significant impact on your ability to eat and speak and can also affect your facial structure and appearance.
Damage to Surrounding Teeth and Jawbone
In advanced cases, the infection can also spread to the adjacent teeth and the jawbone, leading to further complications.
Therefore, getting a root canal treatment is essential as soon as you notice the symptoms to prevent these severe consequences. At Supreme Dentistry, our experienced team of dental professionals will evaluate your condition and provide the best root canal treatment option for you.
Call Supreme Dentistry if You Are Experiencing Any Root Canal Symptoms
A root canal isn’t fun for anybody. But they happen at some point in many lives, and when they do, please turn to Supreme Dentistry. You can rely on us for all forms of dental care. Our dental practice provides general and cosmetic dentistry, including preventive dental care and root canal services. We approach each case with sensitivity and understanding as if we were treating our own families.
Our goal is to help keep your dental health in top shape over the long term while brightening your smiles. We also provide family dentistry, emergency dental services, and teeth whitening services. Trust us to treat your teeth with the greatest amount of care. Contact us today at 844.966.2333 to schedule an appointment.
