A root canal is a common dental procedure used to save a tooth from extraction. It involves numbing the affected area, removing the infected tooth pulp, cleaning the resulting canal, and filling the canal with a sealant to prevent further decay. The tooth looks and functions like normal, but no longer features blood vessels and nerves. If you think you need a root canal but are not quite sure, review the following signs telling you to visit the dentist.

3 Signs Calling for a Root Canal

1. Severe Tooth Discoloration

As decay worsens, the affected tooth’s inner material breaks down. The tooth becomes grayish-black as a result, because there is not enough blood circulating through the pulp. 

If you notice gray-black discoloration on one of your teeth and you are certain it is not because of eating certain foods or drinking various beverages, make an appointment with your dentist immediately. The dental professional will let you know whether you need a filling or a root canal to save the tooth. 

2. Ongoing Tooth Pain

Severe tooth pain is typically a sign of infection. It is normal for the pain to intensify as the decay spreads, which you can feel in your jawbone if the infection is serious. Other reasons for tooth pain include impacted wisdom teeth, a foreign object stuck between the teeth, a sinus infection, gum disease, and a damaged filling. 

Unless the problem is sinus-related or due to a foreign object you can remove with floss, you’ll need to see your dentist. You might also experience pain when chewing food, especially crunchy or hard fare that requires more jaw pressure. Hot and cold food/drink sensitivity is also common when tooth blood vessels and nerves are infected. 

3. Swollen Gums With an Abscess

It is not out of the ordinary for an infected tooth to form an abscess, or pocket or pus, on the gums in the body’s effort to contain the infection. The gums swell in reaction to the infection and are usually tender to the touch. 

If the abscess drains, it creates a foul taste in the mouth. Should the abscess enlarge instead of draining, your jaw can swell. Since an abscess is a sign of a severe infection, visit your dentist immediately to treat it and schedule a root canal.

If you think you need a root canal, do not hesitate to call Gladstein Dental Center in New Britain, CT. Since 1983, this dental practice has provided area residents with a wide range of services, including Zoom whitening, Cerec same-day crowns, extractions, and more. Call this American Dental Association member today at (860) 223-1162 to make an appointment or learn more about services online.