Do You Need a Root Canal? Signs & Symptoms To Watch For

Wondering how bad your tooth will feel if you need a root canal? Everyone is different. In some cases, tooth infections can cause a serious toothache. But in others, you may not notice that much pain and discomfort. That’s why it’s important to look beyond tooth pain alone. 

In this guide from Lakeshore Dental Specialists, we’ll discuss tooth infections and root canals in depth, answer some common questions, and discuss some of the most common signs and symptoms that may indicate that you need to get a root canal in Eastpointe, MI.

Root Canals Are Only Necessary For Infected Teeth

Wondering when a root canal is needed? First, it’s important to understand the basics of this treatment and how it works. Root canal therapy (root canal, for short) is a treatment that’s used to restore an infected tooth.

Tooth infections happen when the outer layers of your tooth are damaged by things like tooth decay, dental trauma, or extreme wear. When this happens, the vulnerable “pulp” inside the tooth is exposed to bacteria and becomes infected.

The pulp contains the nerves and blood vessels that keep your tooth alive. So when it becomes infected, your tooth will slowly begin to die. This causes pain and a lot of other symptoms, and will eventually result in tooth loss if it’s left untreated.

Root Canals Eliminate The Infection And Preserve Your Tooth

If you have an infected tooth, a root canal is usually the best way to eliminate the infection, restore your tooth, and protect your oral health. In this procedure, a dentist will open up the tooth, clean out the infected pulp, and then fill it with an inert material and cover it with a temporary filling or crown.

Then, once the tooth has healed a little bit, you can get a permanent crown to cover the tooth and protect it from future damage. With a root canal, you can get relief from the pain and discomfort of your tooth infection and keep your tooth intact for years or even decades to come!

Recognizing The Signs That You Need A Root Canal

Toothache that won’t go away or gets worse

This is the most common symptom of an infected tooth. Since the nerve-filled pulp inside your tooth is infected and is dying, you will usually feel a lot of pain and discomfort. If you have a nasty toothache that won’t go away or worsens after a few days, you may have a tooth infection and require root canal therapy.

Sensitivity to heat, cold, and when chewing

Since tooth infections happen when the outer layers of your tooth are damaged, increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks is a common symptom. You may also notice pain and tenderness in your tooth when you chew, especially when eating crunchy or hard foods.

Gum tenderness and inflammation near the infected tooth

As bacteria build up inside your tooth, they may also spread to the nearby gums. If your gums look tender, inflamed, or even discolored near one of your teeth, this could be a sign of a tooth infection.

Brown, black, or dark tooth discoloration

If you have an extensive tooth infection, you may notice that your tooth has started to look discolored. The tooth may look gray, brown, dark, or even black. This is not normal, and you should get help from a dentist ASAP if you notice that your tooth is severely discolored.

Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth

If you have a tooth infection, you may notice that you have bad breath (halitosis). This is due to the buildup of bacteria within your infected tooth. In severe cases, pus may even start to form within the tooth or underneath it, leading to a nasty taste in your mouth.

Swelling of the gums or jaw

You need to see a dentist immediately if you start to notice serious swelling in the gums or jaw near the affected tooth, especially if this is accompanied by a fever. This usually indicates that the infection is spreading, and you need to get help ASAP to eliminate it and prevent further complications.

What If I Don’t Get A Root Canal For An Infected Tooth?

If you choose not to get a root canal for your infected tooth, the infection will only get worse, and the tooth will eventually die and require extraction. As it dies, you’ll likely experience more tooth pain and other symptoms, like pus forming in the infection site. The infection may even spread or cause a life-threatening reaction called “sepsis.”

For all of these reasons, it’s not a good idea to ignore a toothache. If your tooth really hurts and you think that you have a tooth infection and may need a root canal, you should give Lakeshore Dental Specialists a call right away to book a consultation with one of our specialists.

Is It Worth Getting A Root Canal?

Absolutely. There are no drawbacks to getting a root canal, and the treatment is worth every penny. First and foremost, getting a root canal will get you out of pain. Toothaches can be excruciating and make it nearly impossible to focus on work, school, your family, and other things that are important to you.

With a root canal, you can get out of pain and get back to your normal routine. Not only that, but you’ll be able to keep your natural tooth for years, which is always a good thing. Root canals are also the most cost-effective way to deal with an infected tooth, and are much less expensive than having your tooth pulled and replaced with a partial denture, bridge, or dental implant.

Are There Any Alternatives To A Root Canal?

In some cases, a root canal alone may not be enough to eliminate the infection from your tooth. At Lakeshore Dental Specialists, we offer a wide variety of endodontic services including periapical surgery, also known as an apicoectomy.

This procedure is needed when the infection has reached all the way down to the end of your tooth root. In an apicoectomy, one of our dentists will make an incision into the gums, remove the tip of the tooth root, and then place a special type of filling into the area to prevent it from becoming reinfected.

Along with a root canal, periapical surgery can help restore your tooth, even if you have a severe infection. For more information and to see if you need an apicoectomy, you can schedule a consultation with Lakeshore Dental Specialists.

Should I Get A Root Canal Or Have My Tooth Pulled?

At Lakeshore Dental Specialists, our team of dentists practices conservative dentistry. Our focus is on preserving your natural teeth whenever it’s possible to do so. This means that we will only recommend pulling your tooth if it’s significantly damaged and cannot be treated with root canal therapy. 

As long as the tooth can be saved with a root canal, this is a much better option than a tooth extraction. The root canal process is much less invasive and much simpler than pulling a tooth and replacing it. Not only that, but root canal is the least expensive treatment option for an infected tooth, and is typically at least partially covered by dental insurance.

Still, extracting your tooth may sometimes be the best choice for a severely damaged tooth. At our office, we offer gentle extractions with a variety of sedation options to keep you comfortable if you do need to have one of your teeth pulled.

Need A Root Canal Consultation? Contact Our Office Today!

Still wondering when to get a root canal in Eastpointe, MI? If you think that you have an infected tooth, it’s better to be safe than sorry! At Lakeshore Dental Specialists, we offer expert endodontic treatment in a welcoming, relaxing, and comfortable environment.

With our team on your side, you can get a diagnosis, find out if you need a root canal, and take the first steps toward eliminating your tooth infection and getting your oral health back on track. So don’t wait, and don’t put your tooth at risk! Give us a call at (586) 800-3153 or book a consultation online to find out if you need a root canal or other endodontic treatment at Lakeshore Dental Specialists.