My Tooth Hurts: Do I Need a Root Canal?
A toothache is usually a sign of serious issues with your teeth. Oral pain can be caused by a number of factors including dental decay, inflammation of the pulp, or a cracked tooth. Although there are many ways to treat toothaches, one of the more effective solutions is a root canal.
Also known as endodontics, root canal therapy is the process of removing damaged pulp from the affected tooth. Your tooth consists of several layers. These layers include a hard outer coating called enamel, which is about 1 mm thick. There’s also an inner layer known as dentin, and a soft tissue centre called pulp.
Dental pulp contains the nerve and blood supply, which keeps the tooth healthy. Root canal therapy involves removing the pulp -- essentially killing all feeling in the tooth. This treatment is necessary if the pulp has become infected. The main reasons for infection include dental decay or a cracked tooth that allows bacteria to seep in. If issues aren’t identified early, it may be too late for a root canal. This will ultimately leave a patient with no choice but to have the tooth removed.
A professional dental exam is the only way to know for sure whether you require root canal therapy. In the meantime, however, there are some warning signs that can indicate endodontics is necessary.
1. Severe & persistent pain
A toothache does not always mean you need a root canal. This pain must be considered together with other symptoms. But if the discomfort is severe and persistent, it’s best to book an appointment with your dentist right away. From a dull ache to an intense, stabbing sensation -- there are many different types of pain. Here are some scenarios that can help identify whether endodontics is required:
- Pain so severe you can’t sleep at night
- Toothache can’t be cured with painkillers
- Patient can easily pinpoint which tooth hurts
It’s important to note that it’s normal to experience slight pain after a cleaning. That’s because your dental hygienist is using tools to remove plaque and tartar buildup. What’s not normal though is persistent pain days after the cleaning is over. Even if the pain is tolerable, don’t avoid seeing your dentist. It’s crucial to determine its exact cause, whether a root canal is needed or not.
2. Sudden discolouration
Coffee, wine or tobacco will change the colour of your teeth over time. But if you notice sudden discolouration, particularly in one tooth, you may require endodontics. When a tooth changes colour, this can indicate an infection is spreading. If you allow the bacteria to continue spreading into the gums and jawbone, this can cause severe disease. Never ignore discolouration as its often a sign the tooth’s dental pulp is infected.
3. Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold
Intense sensitivity to hot or cold foods could be a sign the tooth’s enamel has worn away. This wear is often caused by grinding the teeth at night -- a condition known as bruxism. This constant grinding may have reduced the enamel so much that the nerves are now exposed. When these nerves are exposed to hot or cold, you’ll feel pain and sensitivity. One of the only ways to treat this symptom is through root canal therapy.
4. You have an abscess
Usually caused by a bacterial infection, an abscess is a collection of pus. It often looks like a pimple and can be extremely painful. If you notice an abscess at the root of your tooth, book an appointment with your dentist right away. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with saltwater three times a day.
Although your dentist may recommend a root canal, he or she may want to see if the abscess subsides with non-surgical treatment. Your dentist will try to carefully drain the bacteria from the pocket, and then prescribe antibiotics to kill any remaining infection. If these solutions don’t work, you may require endodontic surgery.
5. Swollen and tender gums
The affected tooth is not the only place that will experience symptoms. Nearby gums will often be swollen and tender too. You may feel pain when brushing, chewing or simply pressing on the area. Gum issues may be a sign that the infection has spread, and that a root canal is necessary.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
Many people get anxious or worried when learning they need a root canal. But in dentistry, this procedure is quite standard. Here’s how your dentist will perform root canal therapy:
- Make a small hole: Your dentist will give you local anesthesia to numb the area, and will then make a tiny hole in the affected tooth. This hole will allow access to the infection and nerve supply that are causing so much pain.
- Clean out the pulp: Next step is to clean out the pulp chamber, which is the space inside the tooth that contains canals. These canals are essentially tubes where all the nerves, pulp and blood vessels lie. During a root canal, all of the contents are removed. This makes it impossible for the tooth to feel any pain going forward.
- Seal the tooth: Once the canals are empty, your dentist must seal them up. The canals are filled with a special substance, and typically the tooth will get a dental crown. This restoration work will help protect your tooth from fractures.
Pickfair Family Dental provides endodontic surgery in a safe and comfortable environment. When performed properly, root canal therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat persistent toothaches. Following the procedure, your tooth may be sensitive for about a week. Although severe pain is not common, book an appointment with your dentist if discomfort persists.
For more information about root canal therapy, call Pickfair Family Dental at 905-831-7555 or contact us here.