When it comes to endodontic therapy (root canals), there are many signs to indicate that you may need work done. With all dental work there are symptoms you may notice on your own and those that only a dentist can spot. The same is true with root canals, even though the most obvious signs you’ll be able to catch on your own. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for.
Tooth pain is the biggest indicator of needing a root canal. Persistent or recurring pain in a tooth on daily or monthly frequencies could be an indicator of a need for endodontic therapy. This can be anything from dull ache to unbearable pain. Whatever you have now, get it checked out by a dentist as soon as possible. If you need a root canal, the pain will only get worse the longer you put off your appointment. Another big sign is tenderness of the gums or anything more severe than that. Infected gums may ache, or they may swell noticeably even on the outside of your face.
Your dentist performs regular X-rays on your mouth, and these are the best way to detect low-grade infections. Dark spots (called a ‘radiolucency’) are indications of infected teeth. Similarly, more progressed infections will be visible to the naked eye as a tooth slightly darker than the teeth surrounding it.
While working, your dentist may sometimes notice that a tooth’s nerve has become exposed. This would eventually lead to internal infection, so they may opt to do a root canal at that time to save you the trouble of waiting until a dangerous and painful point down the line.
No website can help you with self-diagnosis. If you think you may exhibit some of the symptoms listed here, call The Dental Center at Easton (located in Columbus Ohio) to have a professional help diagnose what’s going on in your mouth.