Make an appointment and ask Dr. Chavez! Okay, okay… we get it. Internet sourced self-diagnosing is practically irresistible. And while you can never get a truly accurate root canal diagnosis over the internet without seeing your dentist, it can help soothe your brain to get some information now while you wait for your upcoming appointment.
One of the biggest indicators that you may need a root canal is serious tooth pain that occurs when eating, putting pressure on the tooth, or after exposure to heat or cold. This pain is often described as extreme, and tends to linger even after the triggering action or element has been removed.
It’s important to state, though, that you may have no pain and still need a root canal. If you have serious tooth decay or fracturing, Dr. Chavez may actually recommend that you get a root canal preventatively so that you don’t have to deal with the aforementioned extreme pain.
The myth is that the root canal procedure is what’s so painful, when in fact it’s the infection itself that is the source of discomfort. When you come in for your root canal, Dr. Chavez will administer numbing medication to ensure that you feel no pain during the procedure.
Root canals eliminate the pain of infection, help to avoid pending infection and the associated pain, and preserve your natural tooth in your mouth as long as possible.
Other Symptoms
Darkening of the tooth can be another sign that you may need a root canal. Many things can stain or alter the color of our teeth, but if your tooth begins to look blue, black, gray, or brown, it’s likely caused by decay and needs to be addressed by a dentist. Even if you don’t have pain now, searing tooth pain is likely in your future if this issue is left unaddressed.
Another sign to look out for is tender, swollen gum tissue around the tooth, sometimes even a pimple-like formation on the gums. These symptoms can happen when the root of the tooth is infected, and indicate a need for prompt attention from your dentist.
Remember, root canals really aren’t scary or painful. It’s the underlying conditions that result in the need for a root canal that hurt! Let’s get you in as soon as possible to assess the situation and get you pain free now, or prevent extreme mouth pain in the future any way that we can.
