Root Canal 101: What Are the Symptoms You Should Watch Out For?
At Smile for Health, our mission is to help our patients get a perfect smile and keep their natural teeth forever. That’s why we provide a comprehensive range of professional dental services for patients in Carlsbad and surrounding areas.
For our patients with severely decayed teeth, our dentist offers endodontic therapy, also known as root canal treatment. This treatment is preferred instead of extraction since there is nothing that can function like your natural teeth.
Most people shivers when they hear of this treatment abut that’s because they don’t have all the facts. With today’s state-of-the-art technology, dental procedures are successful and as painless as possible.
In this article, we have covered more about this treatment to give you facts that can help feel better about an upcoming visit at Smiles for Health.
What is Root Canal Treatment?
Your tooth consists of two major parts, the crown, and roots. The crown is the part you see when you look on your mirror, while the roots are what is below it. It is the root that attaches your tooth to the jawbone.
Inside the root and crown, there is something called a pulp. This pulp provides moisture and nourishes to your tooth and the surrounding material. The pulp has nerves that sense temperature as well as pain. If you have an infection that extends to the pulp, an endodontist is required to perform a root canal therapy. So, root canal treatment is the treatment of diseases that extends to the pulp.
Root Canal Symptoms
Persistent tooth pain may be a result of various reasons, but we cannot rule out an infection in the pulp. Visit a dentist near you, and he will help confirm if you require a root canal therapy or not.
Increased tooth sensitivity is a sign. If your teeth suddenly start to be sensitive to hot and cold things, that might be a root canal symptom. If you continue feeling pain due to this sensitivity, it might be an indication that your nerves are damaged.
Discolored teeth also need to be looked into. Trauma to your tooth or teeth can lead to a grayish-black color on it/them. If you notice the change in color on your teeth, visit a dentist for a checkup.
Swollen gums are a problem that requires root canal treatment can lead to swelling near the aching tooth. This swelling may feel tender, comes and disappears from time to time. You may also develop a pimple or boil on the gums that lead to unpleasant smell and taste in your mouth.
Loosening of teeth can be caused by different problems, and it can be a sign that you need root canal therapy.
Chipped or a broken tooth needs proper care. If you break your tooth while chewing hard stuff, it can lead to bacteria formation. This infection can lead to pain, which can only be treated through a root canal. You can count on us even if you are looking for front tooth root canal treatment
Is it Painful?
A lot of people fear this treatment because they believe it is the most painful dental procedure. That’s not the case, though. Sedation dentistry has ensured that every dental procedure is painless, and that includes root canal therapy. Dental procedures like cracked tooth treatment are painless as well.
What are the Steps Involved in the Treatment?
This treatment is usually done in three significant steps. You will need to visit an endodontist specialist in Carlsbad, CA, at least two times. The steps involved include:
Cleaning of the Root Canal
The dentist removes everything from your root canal, including the infection. He does this through a small hole he makes on the surface of your tooth.
Filling Your Root Canal
The dentist cleans the small hole thoroughly using small files as well as irrigation solutions. He then fills it with a rubber-like material and seals it with adhesive cement.
Adding Filling or Crown
Your tooth becomes very vulnerable to breakage after the treatment. You should not use it at all during this time. Wait until the dentist adds a crown or fillings, and you can use it ordinarily. This step mostly takes only one appointment, but it can take more if you have large infections, curved, or multi-canals.
How to Prevent Root Canal
You can prevent the need for root canal therapy by maintaining proper oral hygiene. The following tips can help you out with that:
- Brush your teeth 2+ times a day.
- Floss your teeth daily with dental floss.
- Try to avoid sugary and acidic foods
- Visit your dentist 2+ times a year for a checkup as well as professional cleanings.
- Use toothpaste that has fluoride in it or at least uses fluoridated water.
Smiles for Health
If you are looking for an experienced endodontist in Carlsbad, we are here for you. Book an appointment today and be assured of comfortable and professional services