When Do I Need a Root Canal Treatment?

October 13, 2021
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Root canals are a very common treatment, with more than 15 million procedures performed in the U.S. every year. Many people think it's agonizing, but most patients who have had a root canal described it as not much more than a normal filling. Do you think you might need a root canal in Issaquah? Here’s what you should look out for.

Man in pain who needs Root canal Issaquah

What are the Signs I Need a Root Canal?  

A root canal treatment is a dental procedure used to remove infected tissue from inside your tooth. Your tooth can become infected by bacteria, usually from a cavity, which causes pain and swelling. It can spread to the area around the tooth and damage the tissues around it.  

Further, this infection can spread to the nerves of the tooth and cause pain and sensitivity. Therefore, a root canal treatment is a safe and effective way to treat the infection and stop the growth of the bacterial infection.  

Although one may not be able to tell right away that they need a root canal, there are usually obvious signs that require the need to undergo the said treatment.  

Tooth Sensitivity

When you have an infection in your dental pulp, you'll notice that drinking and eating hot or cold items doesn't feel worthwhile anymore. In most cases, you'll feel a sharp pain that lingers even minutes after eating or drinking. While tooth sensitivity may not always translate to dental infection, it should prompt you to visit your dentist for a check-up.  

Persistent Tooth Pain

What's worse about a toothache is that it can return from time to time no matter the circumstances. The pain can be so bad that it can hit you like a wave and reach your face and head. If this happens every so often, it's a good idea to mention this to your dentist.  

Tooth pain can mean many things, and a dental professional is the most credible person to know which procedure you need to get.  

Discolored Tooth

Tooth discoloration, like a grayish-black appearance, is a glaring sign of needing a root canal treatment. This can be due to trauma in the tooth or damage to the internal tissue. This infection can further darken the gums around the teeth, which is a telltale sign you need to see your dentist.

Swollen Gums

Aside from discoloration, you'll also notice that the gums around the infected tooth are swelling. However, this is different from the inflamed gums we have after brushing too hard. Swollen gums that indicate you need to undergo root canal therapy are those that may come and go and may or may not be painful to the touch.  

An abscess, which contains pus from the infection, may also form from the swelling. When the pus oozes out, it will give you an unpleasant taste in the mouth and cause your breath to smell bad.    

Chipped or Cracked Tooth

A chipped or cracked tooth can be caused by accident, especially from contact sports. On the other hand, this may be due to an infection that has gravely affected the tooth, causing it to decompose. In this case, a root canal is needed to treat the infection and save the remainder of the tooth.  

Closeup of woman with a toothache who needs Root canal Issaquah

 

Get a Root Canal in Issaquah

A root canal is an essential treatment to save your tooth from complete decay. We know the importance of having a complete set of natural teeth, and we go the extra mile to save each one from dying.  

We at APEX Dental Care have been in the industry for almost 20 years now, and we make sure that we give our best in every dental procedure. Don't hesitate to call us to get yours done.

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