Do I Need A Root Canal?

By Author: Complete Dental
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Few things strike fear in the heart of adults like the phrase "root canal." It is going to be incredibly painful, right? Not necessarily. A root canal is the name of the dental procedure that cleans out the decay in your tooth’s pulp and root. You see, your teeth have an enamel layer on the outside, a second layer of dentin, and a soft inside core that extends into the root in your jawbone. That's where the term "root canal" comes from. The core contains the dental pulp, which consists of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
When decay gets into this soft core, the pulp can become inflamed, infected, or even dead. A root canal is needed to clean out the decay. In truth, this decay is what is painful, not the procedure itself.

So, how do you know if you need a root canal? These are the telltale signs:

1. Persistent pain
Persistent tooth pain is one of the signs that you may need a root canal from someone who handles family dentistry in Houston. The pain in your tooth might bother you all the time, or it might go away sometimes but eventually return.

2. Sensitivity to heat and cold
Does your tooth hurt when you drink a cup of coffee? Perhaps, your tooth feels sensitive when you eat ice cream or drink an icy-cold glass of water. Ouch! The sensitivity could feel like a dull ache or a sharp pain. You may need a root canal if this pain lingers for an extended period of time, even when you stop eating the offending food.

3. Tooth discoloration
An infection in the pulp of your tooth can cause your tooth to become discolored. Trauma to the tooth or the breakdown of the internal tissue can damage the roots and give the tooth a grayish-black appearance.

4. Swollen gums
You never want to see (or feel!) swollen gums. This can be a sign of an issue that requires a root canal. The swelling may come and go and it may or may not be tender when you touch it, but swelling is always something to have looked at.

5. A chipped or cracked tooth
If you’ve chipped or cracked your tooth in an accident, like in a contact sport, bacteria can set in. This may lead to inflammation and infection.

A root canal procedure is like a tiny little vacuum sucker, cleaning out decay and preserving the infected tooth. If you suspect you need a root canal, you cannot let this go. The pain will only get worse. You may find yourself with a severe infection and lose the tooth altogether. Instead of taking these serious risks, make a call to whoever you go to for dentistry for your family in Houston, TX. That's right- thankfully, you do not need a specialist for this kind of procedure. You only need to visit a dentist who handles family dentistry in Houston. After your root canal and a bit of recovery time, you'll be back to feeling great!