Signs You May Need a Root Canal

Signs You May Need a Root Canal

Does your tooth or gum look or feel a little different lately? Subtle, and not-so-subtle, changes often occur in teeth in need of root canals. root canalOur Waukesha, WI, dentist, Dr. Robert Wyler, discusses a few things you may notice if you could benefit from root canal therapy.

You have a nagging pain in your tooth

Because tooth pain can occur due to a variety of reasons, it's important to make an appointment in our Waukesha office as soon as you notice it. Pain can be caused by a cavity, a crack or fracture in a tooth, grinding, gum disease, or an inflammation or infection in the pulp at the center of a tooth.

If an inflammation or infection is the cause, you'll need a root canal. During the therapy, your pulp is removed, the root canals are cleaned and shaped, and rods are added to stabilize the tooth. After the tooth drains, you'll receive a rubber-based filling and later a crown to protect the tooth.

You're sick and your tooth won't stop hurting

It may be a coincidence that you don't feel well when your tooth hurts, or you may have developed a bacterial infection called an abscess. Abscesses may cause severe pain, facial swelling, fever, swollen lymph glands, pus around your tooth, or a pimple-like bump on your gum. The infections are dental emergencies and require treatment with antibiotics, in addition to root canal therapy.

Your toothache miraculously got better

A toothache that suddenly goes away isn't a good sign. Pain may stop if the nerve in the tooth dies, but that doesn't mean that your infection has disappeared. In fact, if you don't receive treatment, you can become very sick. The bacteria from the infection can even travel to your heart or brain.

Your tooth has darkened

A change in the appearance of a tooth can be an external sign of an internal problem. It's always a good idea to schedule an appointment if you notice that a tooth has darkened.

You recently experienced trauma to your tooth

A root canal may be needed if your tooth was injured, particularly if it became loose or was knocked out, then re-implanted. Injuries to teeth are also dental emergencies and should be treated as soon as possible.

Do you think your teeth may need a root canal? Call our Waukesha, WI, dentist, Dr. Wyler, at (262) 784-5757 to schedule an appointment.