Dental health is just as important as your overall physical health. So, if you consider that doctors sometimes trace the origins of ailments to poor dental health, you will realise that proper oral care is not just ideal; it is imperative for a root canal .
When they become apparent, dental problems can be painful, even debilitating. And yet, by the time you get to this stage, the issue is often so advanced that your dentist must perform some significant corrections. Thus, it would be best to make regular visits to the dentist to facilitate early detection. Enabling this affords you considerable time, monetary and comfort savings.
You must also avoid leaving early detection to your dentist alone. If you can learn how to identify issues that may require a professional’s attention, you will only benefit from any subsequent actions. Therefore, to help you get started, this article discusses root canals. Specifically, it expounds on three signs pointing to the need for one.
What Is A Root Canal?
In general dentistry, root canal therapy is a course of treatment dentists use to repair decayed, damaged or infected teeth. The necessity of a root canal becomes evident when the damage to your tooth extends to your dental pulp- an area of soft tissue in the centre of your tooth that consists of nerves and blood vessels. When the dental pulp becomes infected, it supports bacterial multiplication and the formation of abscesses. Furthermore, such infections can spread to the face and neck, resulting in severe complications.
When a dentist performs root canal therapy, they remove the dental pulp before cleaning and sealing the infected tooth. Removing the dental pulp prevents the multiplication of bacteria and further decay.
What Are the Signs of a Root Canal?
Some of the early signs that you may need a root canal include:
- A cracked or damaged tooth.
- The presence of a deep hole on your tooth
- A foul smell of decay in your breath
However, the above signs are easy to resolve if they don’t go beyond the enamel and into the pulp. If they do, your dentist will have to perform a root canal.
There are three indicators that your dental pulp is infected, and the signs of a root canal require a dentist’s attention. These symptoms are:
Persistent toothaches
The dental pulp houses your dental nerves. Thus, when tooth damage exposes these sensitive nerves, you will experience significant discomfort. Additionally, an infection may also form. These attributes are what lead to severe dental pain.
In most cases, patients who report experiencing aches and pains whose severity ranges from dull to sharp often do so when ingesting hot or cold foods. Some also your dentist.
Swollen Gums
Swelling in the gums points to the presence of a tooth infection. Moreover, please note that such swelling only occurs when the infection spreads from the tooth to the gums. So, if you ignore this symptom and leave the infection untreated, it may spread to your cheeks before moving to your face and neck.
Discolouration of The Teeth
Your teeth are living components. Therefore, they rely on essential nutrients that the blood vessels deliver to remain healthy. They get these nutrients through the roots. However, if there is an infection in the dental pulp, your teeth get cut off from their nutrient source; thus, they become discoloured. Therefore, if you notice that your teeth are turning greyish-black, it is an indication that you must see a dentist.
Getting a root canal can help alleviate the symptoms and underlying causes of dental ailments. However, you must be vigilant in observing your dental health so that you can benefit from a dentist’s early intervention as soon as the symptoms become evident.
