Do You Have a Toothache? 4 Signs You Might Need a Root Canal

When you first notice signs of a dental problem, you may be unsure whether you need to call your dentist right away or if you simply need to redouble your oral hygiene efforts. If the pulp inside your tooth has become infected, the only way to stop the disease from spreading and protect your smile from further damage is to seek a root canal in Waterbury as soon as possible. Ideally, regular dental checkups will prevent decay from ever getting that far. However, in the event that bacteria have been allowed to enter the tooth, the following 4 symptoms could tell you that something is wrong and that a root canal is necessary to restore your oral health.

1. Persistent Toothache

Your pulp contains all of the tooth’s nerves. When these nerves become infected, they send strong pain signals to the brain. In other words, severe discomfort in your tooth will be usually one of the main indicators that something is wrong. The pain might be present all the time, or it might occur whenever you eat or drink. If you have a severe toothache that doesn’t go away after a couple of days, you need to make an appointment as soon as possible.

2. Chipped or Damaged Tooth

Even though the enamel protecting your teeth is harder than bones, it can still be chipped or cracked if you bite down on something hard or take a blow to the face while playing sports. Not all cracks are accompanied by pain, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still lead to problems; bacteria could use the opening to infiltrate the tooth and attack the pulp. It’s important to have dental damage of any kind evaluated as soon as you can.

3. Swollen Gums

If your gums become red and inflamed, it’s often a sign of infection. An examination can help your dentist determine whether it’s a sign of gum disease or if it’s connected to a tooth that’s in need of a root canal.

4. Dark Discoloration

Poor oral hygiene and frequent exposure to highly pigmented foods and drinks can leave your teeth looking much darker than they did before. However, nerve damage is another possible cause for discoloration. Before you worry about a tooth whitening procedure, you should schedule a visit to confirm that the pulp inside the darkened tooth is still healthy.

Remember that all of the above symptoms can be linked to other oral health issues as well. Your dentist in Waterbury will have to rule out other possible causes before scheduling root canal therapy. No matter what the problem turns out to be, though, having it taken care of sooner rather than later can make all the difference.

About the Author

Dr. Marini cares about earning your trust as a dentist, and he will always take the time to listen to your oral health concerns so that he can give you the individualized attention that you deserve. He relocated his practice, Waterbury Smiles, to its current location in 1994 so that he could provide high quality dental care from a more modern facility. If you’re concerned that you might need a root canal, get in touch with Dr. Marini through his website or by calling (203) 527-4614.