Who Needs Root Canal Therapy?
When you have decay or infection, the dentist can recommend a dental filling or a root canal. But, how can you tell you are a candidate for root canal therapy in Hamilton, ON? Well, there are telltale signs to pay attention to.
What is a Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal therapy is a procedure that aims to save the tooth from infection and pain by removing the pulp, nerve, and blood vessels.
Root canal therapy is often done for people with tooth decay or other dental diseases. It can also be done as a preventive measure for people at risk of developing these conditions in the future.
How is Root Canal Treatment Done?
Root canal treatment is similar to a dental filling, but it takes one to two hours. Your gums are anesthetized before the procedure, and the dentist will remove any diseased tissue and fill in the root canal with gutta-percha or another material.
How Can You Tell You Need Endodontic Treatment?
Several symptoms can show you have a pulp infection, and they include:
- Persistent pain
Root canal infection affects the nerves and the blood vessels of the teeth, causing persistent pain. As the infection spreads, it can affect the nearby teeth and bone and lead to significant pain that lasts for several weeks. However, it is worth noting that you can get persistent pain from gum disease, decay, and tooth fracture.
- Lingering tooth sensitivity
The bacteria infection will affect the nerve endings in the teeth, leading to sensitivity that lingers for a couple of minutes, even when you stop taking the food or drink. Tooth sensitivity feels like a dull pain that happens after your teeth come in contact with air, cold, or hot beverages.
- Teeth discoloration
Trauma or infection of the nerves can damage the root and blood vessels. This affects the blood flow to the teeth causing the tissues to die, leading to discoloration.
Other factors can cause tooth discoloration, so it is recommended to consult your dentist if you notice a change in your teeth’ appearance.
- Gum swelling
Gum swelling occurs when the acidic waste products of the infected pulp accumulate, causing swelling the outside of the root tip. Furthermore, the root canal infection causes inflammation in the gums, leading to pus accumulation. When the pus oozes from the teeth, it can give an awful taste and cause bad breath.
- Tooth mobility
The bacteria infection can cause the bone support to soften, affecting the tooth mobility. Other factors can cause loose teeth, but root canal infection is one of the primary causes.
- Painful teeth when you eat to touch
The ligaments in the teeth can become hypersensitive from the pulp infection. Moreover, the acidic waste of the dying pulp can irritate the ligaments, causing pain when you bite food.
Is the Root Canal Procedure Painful?
Although a root canal procedure may sound painful, it is not, and there is little to no pain that occurs during the treatment. The gums are anesthetized, and dental sedation relaxes you. You may experience pressure as the dentist drill the teeth to remove the infected pulp, but not pain.
What Can You Expect After the Pulp is Removed?
As the local anesthesia begins to wear out, you will experience pressure on the gums. It is advisable not to eat until the numbness clears out to avoid hurting yourself. In the first 24 hours, you will experience bleeding, soreness, and swelling. It is recommended to take the prescribed medication to ease the discomfort and prevent infection.
How Can You Prevent a Root Canal Infection?
Root canal infection is preventable, and here are a few ways:
- Limit sugary foods because they tend to stick to the teeth and can cause the bacteria to linger, increasing your risk of cavities and infection.
- Take care of your teeth by flossing regularly and practicing good oral hygiene habits such as brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, drinking lots of water, and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Schedule regular dental checkups to ensure that all oral health issues are addressed so that you can avoid root canal infections in the future.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Jackson Square Dental Centre for more information about root canal infection and how you can prevent it.