Signs You May Need a Root Canal

Could your dental symptoms be trying to tell you that a root canal is needed?

That tackle was pretty violent but you didn’t initially realize that your tooth was cracked. Unfortunately, dental pain has now set in. This pain is making it difficult to eat. What is going on? Our Bedford and Keller, TX, dentist Dr. Phu Le is here to tell you what the problem might be and whether root canal therapy could help.

Here are some of the scenarios in which root canal therapy may be recommended by our Bedford, TX, family dentist:

A Cracked or Damaged Tooth

While sometimes minor cracks and chips can be buffed out or filed down and covered with a filling, there are some traumatic injuries that not only affect the crown of the tooth but also the dental pulp that lies within the tooth. The dental pulp is made up of nerves, tissue and blood vessels. Since the pulp is made up of nerves, when the structure is damaged it results in dental pain. Sometimes pain is the one and only symptom that is warning you that it’s time to come in for a dental evaluation. Heed its warning before complications set in.

Decay

Sometimes decay is caught during your routine cleanings and can easily be treated and a filling used to restore the tooth; however, if you don’t come in for routine exams then decay will continue to spread until it destroys the hard outer layers of the tooth (also known as enamel) and affects the health of the dental pulp.

As you can imagine, the minute the pulp is affected pain and discomfort take over. You may also notice that the damaged tooth has become darker or discolored. The pain you experience can manifest in many different ways. It may be persistent or it may come and go throughout the day. You may also notice that pain gets worse when chewing or applying pressure to the affected tooth.

A Dental Infection

It isn’t always possible to be able to spot an infection brewing until symptoms appear. This is why coming in every six months is the best way to keep your oral health in tip-top shape. Of course, if you aren’t good about following through with your check-ups then the infection will continue to spread. Besides dental pain, you may also notice that the gums surrounding the tooth are red, swollen and tender. An abscess (a pus-like growth) may also form around the tooth.

If you are experiencing any dental problems, or if you just need to schedule your six-month exam, turn to the dental team at Advanced Family Dental in Bedford, TX. We provide comprehensive dental services to meet the needs of you and your family.