Signs that you might need to have a root canal include sensitivity in the tooth and in nearby teeth, pain when biting down, jaw pain and headaches. If you feel any of these symptoms, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your dentist right away to determine the severity of the problem and whether or not you need a root canal. To find out if you should get a how long does a root canal take to heal, it’s important to consider your options so that you can make an informed decision about your next step. Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding if you should get a root canal.
Pain
The first sign that you may need a root canal is pain. If you’re in pain and experience a burning or throbbing sensation, it may be caused by tooth decay underneath your gums or cracks in your teeth. However, if you have been having regular dental checkups and brushing twice daily, pain alone does not necessarily mean you need a root canal. Instead, contact your dentist and schedule an appointment for them to look at your teeth. They will be able to tell if any type of restoration work is needed right away.
Swelling
One of the most common signs that you need a root canal is swelling around your jaw, mouth or neck. This is caused by inflammation in your jawbone, which increases pressure on your nerves. If you’re experiencing any sort of pain in these areas, see a dentist as soon as possible; even if it isn’t a sign of tooth decay. The sooner you get treatment for an infected tooth, especially one with an exposed nerve, the better chance you have of keeping your teeth and avoiding further pain.
Bleeding Gums
Though it’s not always obvious, bleeding gums can be a telltale sign of a root canal issue. If you notice fresh blood on your toothbrush or in your mouth after brushing, that could be an indication that bacteria have entered and started to form plaque at a deeper level. Root canals are often necessary when that happens because only removing infected tissue from beneath a tooth will relieve pain and prevent further decay. But there are also times when patients with seemingly healthy teeth experience acute discomfort: these are usually easy-to-spot symptoms of possible roots issues too. These include sensitivity, swollen gums, discoloration and more—all big red flags for infection.
Numbness
One of your first symptoms is going to be numbness in your teeth. And it’s going to get worse. According to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, there is a strong link between tooth pain and neurological symptoms such as temporary facial paralysis or swelling around your brain or spinal cord. Any type of extreme or prolonged tooth pain is reason enough to get in touch with a dentist—but if you experience tingling and/or numbness around your face, or extreme sensitivity in any part of your body, it could indicate serious nerve damage due to an infected tooth root. It’s important that you see a dentist as soon as possible if you feel these symptoms developing; they could be signs that you need a root canal (and fast).
Tenderness in Jaw
Although root canals and other dental procedures have become more painless over time, it’s still normal to experience some sensitivity afterward. But if you’re experiencing sharp or sudden pain, especially in your jaw or a tooth that has already undergone a root canal, see your dentist again as soon as possible. The procedure might have failed or an infection could be present. In either case, it’s important to act quickly to prevent further damage and improve your chances of recovery.
Sensitivity to Cold or Heat
One of the biggest symptoms of a toothache is sensitivity to heat or cold. This can cause you to constantly be reaching for hot or cold beverages and making it even more difficult to sleep at night. Aside from being uncomfortable, though, it can actually mean that there’s an infection brewing deep in your mouth. The infection itself isn’t painful—yet—but if you don’t get it taken care of soon, it could become a real problem down the road. And we all know what how long does a root canal take to heal are like! If you think something might be wrong, head to your dentist as soon as possible.
The Tooth Becomes Sticky, Gooey, or Spongy to the Touch
This is by far one of most obvious signs of a tooth needing root canal treatment. If you notice that your tooth has become sticky or gooey, and are sensitive to hot and cold, have trouble chewing your food, or experience pain when drinking something like coffee or wine, you might have a damaged nerve—and need a how long does a root canal take to heal. While it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible after any of these symptoms appear, if left untreated for too long you could risk losing your tooth (or teeth). That’s why it’s always best to get in touch with a dentist right away—even if it isn’t an emergency.
Black Stuff Coming Out From the Tooth
When it comes to root canals, there’s a lot of mystery surrounding them. We might not know what exactly is happening in our mouths when we get one, but signs that something isn’t right are typically pretty clear. However, once you know what you should expect when getting a root canal (and how to tell if your treatment isn’t going well), it won’t be such a scary thing!
