7 Signs You May Need Root Canal Treatment

Toothache can be difficult to ignore, but it can also be difficult to know what is causing it. While some dental discomfort may be temporary, persistent pain or sensitivity can sometimes indicate a problem inside the tooth that requires root canal treatment.

Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is used to treat infection or inflammation affecting the soft tissue inside a tooth. Identifying the problem early may give your dentist a better opportunity to treat the tooth and help preserve it.

Here are seven signs that it may be time to seek professional advice.

1. Persistent Toothache

A toothache that doesn't settle or repeatedly returns shouldn't be ignored. Pain may be particularly noticeable when biting or chewing. Persistent discomfort can have several causes, so a dental examination is important to establish what is happening.

2. Sensitivity to Hot or Cold

Most people experience occasional tooth sensitivity, but sensitivity that is particularly strong or lingers after eating or drinking something hot or cold can indicate a problem.

If one tooth suddenly feels considerably more sensitive than the others, arranging an assessment can help identify the cause.

3. Pain When Biting or Chewing

Does a particular tooth hurt when you bite down?

Pain when chewing can sometimes be associated with inflammation or infection inside or around a tooth. It may also be caused by a crack or another dental problem, making an accurate diagnosis particularly important.

4. Swollen or Tender Gums

Swelling or tenderness around an individual tooth can be another warning sign. In some cases, infection within a tooth can affect the surrounding tissues and lead to localised swelling.

Swelling shouldn't be ignored, particularly when accompanied by toothache.

5. A Chipped or Cracked Tooth

Cracks and chips don't just affect the appearance of a tooth. Damage can potentially allow bacteria to reach the sensitive tissue inside it.

Even if a damaged tooth isn't immediately painful, it's worth having it examined to determine whether further treatment is necessary.

6. A Tooth Becoming Darker

Changes in the colour of an individual tooth can sometimes occur following trauma or damage to the pulp inside it.

There are several possible causes of tooth discolouration, so a dentist will need to assess the tooth rather than relying on appearance alone.

7. Swelling Around the Jaw or Face

Dental infections can sometimes cause more noticeable swelling around the affected area. If you develop facial or jaw swelling, particularly alongside dental pain, you should seek professional dental advice promptly.

When to Seek Advice

None of these symptoms necessarily means that you will need root canal treatment. Tooth pain, sensitivity and swelling can have a number of causes, and the important thing is to understand what is happening within the tooth before deciding on the most appropriate treatment.

If symptoms persist, change or become more pronounced, an assessment can establish whether the pulp of the tooth has been affected and whether endodontic treatment is appropriate. Where root canal treatment is needed, the aim is to treat the source of the problem while giving the natural tooth the best possible chance of being retained.

I provide root canal treatment and retreatment for more complex cases, as well as endodontic surgery where appropriate, at Bridge Street Dental Surgery in Tadcaster, using a Dental Operating Microscope and specialist endodontic equipment. I have a particular interest in endodontics and more than 10 years’ experience treating complex root canal cases.

If you are concerned about a tooth, have been advised that you may need root canal treatment, or would like a further opinion on a more complex case, please get in touch to arrange an assessment.