Why Do I Need A Root Canal?

If you’re experiencing pain in a tooth, you probably suspect there’s a problem. Do you wonder if it’s a cavity, or perhaps worry if it’s indicative of something more serious? By looking at your other symptoms and at x-rays, your dentist can determine the extent of your dental issue, including whether or not you need a root canal treatment.

Before your dentist performs an examination, you may have noticed a myriad of symptoms, including:

• Pain in a particular tooth following biting or chewing. Swelling and sensitivity may be present.
• Pain in a tooth that prevents you from normal activity without the aid of an analgesic.
• Pain that lingers in a tooth following very hot or very cold foods and drinks.
• A pimple on your gum that might look like a bubble. If ruptured, this pimple can release odorous and distasteful pus or blood.
• Pain that radiates out from the mouth to other areas of the skull, such as the jaw, eye or ear.
• A grey, discolored tooth. This can indicate a “dead” tooth.
• Obvious decay, cracks or other damage in a tooth.

Once you have visited your root canal dentist in Clermont, you can be further evaluated with more advanced techniques. These diagnostic tools can reveal:

• Decay, damage or infection revealed by x-rays.
• Fistulous tracts, a persistent or recurring gum blemish.
• Discoloration in a tooth that causes it to stand out from the other teeth.
• Sensitivity discovered through percussion testing utilizing a gentle tapping on the teeth in an effort to evaluate pain response.
• Sensitivity revealed through thermal testing as the dentist applies a careful and controlled hot or cold stimulus to gauge tooth sensitivity.

If you think you might have a problematic tooth, don’t wait to talk to your dentist and get your pain relieved. An untreated root canal can lead to a host of problems that are far greater than the root canal itself.

Schedule your appointment at our Clermont dental office.

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