Recognizing The Top 5 Signs You Need A Root Canal

Root canal therapy, or a “root canal” for short, is a treatment used to repair, save, and restore infected teeth. With timely intervention, a root canal can eliminate your pain, protect your tooth, and keep it in great shape for years to come. 

But how do you know if you have an infected tooth and need a root canal? In this blog from Precision Dental, we’ll look at a few common signs that it’s time to come and see Dr. Bryan Packard for root canal therapy in Bowling Green.

1. Serious, Prolonged Tooth Pain

This is probably the most common sign of an infected tooth. If you notice serious, throbbing, prolonged pain in your tooth, this usually means the infection has begun attacking the “pulp” inside your tooth. 

This pulp contains nerves and blood vessels. As it becomes infected and starts to die, this will cause a lot of pain and discomfort. While other things can cause toothaches, it’s still a good idea to schedule a consultation to see if you have an infected tooth and need root canal therapy. 

2. Sensitivity To Heat And Cold‍

Along with tooth pain, your tooth may feel really sensitive to hot drinks and foods like coffee, or cold foods and drinks like ice water and ice cream. This alone may only indicate a cavity, but along with pain and the other symptoms on this list, it could also indicate an infected tooth that needs a root canal.

3. Pain When Chewing Or Touching The Tooth

If your tooth feels really painful or tender when you place pressure on it by chewing or touching the tooth, this is a likely indicator of an infection, and you should see a dentist in Bowling Green for an oral exam right away. 

4. Swollen, Discolored Gums Near The Tooth

The high levels of bacteria present in infected teeth will provoke a reaction from your gums. If you notice that your gums look swollen, discolored, and inflamed near one of your teeth, this is a common sign of an infected tooth.

5. Discoloration Of The Tooth 

When a tooth begins to die, it may become discolored, and the inside of the tooth may turn black, grayish, or brown. This is more visible on the front teeth, which are thinner and have less enamel and dentin.

Even if the inside of the tooth doesn’t change color, large patches of dark, brown, black, or gray tooth enamel indicates a serious cavity, which could easily lead to a tooth infection in the future. 

Recognize These Signs? Schedule An Emergency Appointment At Our Office!

A serious tooth infection is a dental emergency. If you don’t get help, your tooth could die, and require extraction. You may even develop a potentially life-threatening condition called “sepsis” if the infection spreads through your body.

So don’t wait. If you think you need a root canal in Bowling Green, contact Precision Dental at 270-715-9214. Dr. Packard offers same-day emergency appointments, and our team is always standing by to help you get the treatment you need.