Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Dental Pain
A root canal therapy procedure is major in dentistry, so pain after the procedure is normal. A root canal involves your dentist cleaning inside the tooth’s canals that can irritate surrounding gums and nerves.
However, this pain shouldn’t last forever. Root canal therapy is applied to help you avoid pain related to a fractured or decaying tooth. It’s normal to experience moderate pain for a few days after a root canal. However, if the pain exceeds, it may warrant additional cleaning of your canals or other procedures from the dentist.
Your dentist performs a root canal when the pulp, which is composed of blood vessels and nerves in your tooth, becomes damaged or infected. The pulp is eliminated during the root canal procedure, and the inside tooth is cleaned and sealed.
Most people fear root canals because they seem painful. However, the people who have received the treatment say that it is no more painful than having a filling placed. Therefore, the discomfort you’ll experience leading to you seeking dental care is painful, not the procedure itself.
Why does Pulp Need to Be Removed?
When your pulp is infected or damaged, it breaks down, and the bacteria begins to multiply within the pulp chamber. The bacteria cause an abscessed tooth or an infection. An abscess is a pocket filled with pus that forms at the end of a tooth’s root. In addition, an abscess can cause:
- Bone loss around the root’s tip
- Swelling that may spread to your neck, face, and head
- Having drainage problems that extend outward from the root. For example, a hole may occur through the side of your tooth with drainage through the cheek into the skin or the gums.
Signs that One Needs a Root Canal Procedure
There are symptoms that if you notice them, you should visit your dentist in Redding, CA, as soon as possible. They include:
Persistent Pain
If you are having persistent tooth pain, this is a sign that you may need a root canal. The pain might disturb you or go away from time to time but always return. One may feel the pain deep in the bone of the tooth. Or may feel referred pain in your jaw, face, or other teeth.
However, tooth pain may have other causes besides root canal that include:
- A cavity
- Gum disease
- You may have a damaged filling
- Referred pain from a sinus infection
- An impacted tooth that may be infected
Sensitivity to Cold and Heat
Your sensitivity may feel like a dull ache or sharp pain. However, you may need a root canal if the pain extends even when you stop drinking or eating.
Swollen Gums
Swollen gums near a painful tooth can signify an issue that requires a root canal procedure. The swelling might come and go. It may not be painful when you touch it, and it may feel tender when you touch it.
Tooth Discoloration
Your tooth may become discolored due to an infection in the pulp of your tooth. In addition, trauma to the tooth can damage roots and give your tooth a grayish-black appearance.
A Chipped or Chipped Tooth
If you have a chipped, broken, cracked tooth due to an accident or in a contact sport or chewing something hard, bacteria can set in and lead to infection and inflammation.
Risks Associated with Root Canal
If some of these risks occur, ensure you visit our dentist Riverbend Family Dental. They include:
Sinus Congestion
Root canals can cause a problem with your sinuses. The liquid in your jaw may leak through your nose membranes, and since your root canal and sinus cavity are neighbors, it can happen. If you want to check if the root canal procedure causes your sinus problems, you’ll continuously have a salty flavor in your mouth.
Reinfection
This happens if any stage of the root canal therapy is completed incorrectly. Your dentist cleans and disinfects the empty root canals before using fillers.
Tooth Cracking
A tooth treated with a root canal therapy can never be as strong as before the bacterial infection and treatment. It becomes brittle as it dies during the procedure, with all the living parts being taken out.
How Much Does Root Canal Therapy Cost?
The cost of root canal therapy in Redding, CA, varies depending on how severe your problem is and which tooth is affected. Many dental insurance policies cover endodontic treatment.