Dental health is vital

Root Canal Therapy – Red Flags To Pay Attention To

by Felecia Butler

You may have heard the phrase 'root canal therapy' but, like most people, are unsure about what it truly entails. While this procedure is relatively standard, it is unlikely that you will require more than one treatment in the course of your lifetime, as long as you are taking good care of your teeth. However, root infections can be quite detrimental to your oral health and, when not attended to promptly, could even lead to the need for a tooth extraction. Hence, it is critical to know the symptoms and see medical attention right away. So what are some of the red flags to pay attention to that are indicative of the need for root canal therapy?

Darkening of your tooth

One of the telltale symptoms that your tooth requires a root canal is when it starts to darken. This discolouration occurs because of infection inside the tooth. As the roots progressively die off, the bottom of your tooth will begin to turn colour, as it is dead and decaying. The discolouration only gets worse with time as the dead matter keeps pervading other parts of the tooth. If you notice an unexplained colour change in one of your teeth, it is best to seek a professional opinion from your local dentist.

Debilitating pain

While it can be easy to mistake the pain from your infected tooth for a regular toothache, it is essential to know how to differentiate between the two. Firstly, while a regular toothache is characterised by a dull ache that is continuously present, an infected root will shoot pain spasms in your mouth whenever any pressure is applied to the affected area. Secondly, standard toothaches tend to have generalised pain, but when you need a root canal, you will notice the pain is pulsing from the root outward. Regardless, any discomfort in your teeth should be addressed by a dentist, so you can be on the safe side and prevent the aggravation of existing infections.

Progressive swelling

If you do not seek medical aid in good time, the infection will steadily spread to your gum and soft tissue. When this occurs, you will notice that your gum line starts to swell progressively. Furthermore, any direct contact with the soft tissues in your mouth will be incredibly painful. At this stage, your root infection will be at an advanced state and may require additional intervention to the root canal therapy. 

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