Signs You Might Need a Root Canal: Don't Ignore Tooth Pain
August 16, 2024"Ouch! It hurts having any hot food or cold liquids"
"The toothache isn't feeling better with any medicine"
"The ache in the jaw is now giving a headache too"
These complaints, when they persist and do not settle with medication, could possibly be indicators that you have a dental infection and might need a root canal treatment.
Instead of bearing the pain and allowing it to worsen, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment with the dentist and have it checked.
Though root canal treatments seem to be a drastic diagnosis, it is actually the best way to save an infected tooth, rather than having it extracted later on.
RCTs are fairly common nowadays, and in India itself more than 15 million people get treated for their root canals each year. They are most commonly detected in people from the age group between 22 to 44 years old.
Signs of root canal trouble:
-Pain while biting or chewing food
- Sensitivity to hot and cold food / liquids
- Abscess or boil on the gums
- Tenderness or swelling of gums
Why is a root canal treatment necessary?
When there is an infection, a root canal procedure allows the dentist / orthodontist to remove the damaged pulp from inside the tooth, by removing the inner portion which has decayed, including the bacterial formation, and the affected nerves and blood vessels.
Once the treatment is complete, the entire area is cleaned and disinfected, filled with suitable material and, if required, covered with a dental crown, in order to strengthen the affected tooth as well as the adjacent teeth.
A root canal treatment saves the tooth from getting damaged beyond repair.
How long does it take?
Any RCT takes 2 to 3 sessions, and each may last anywhere between half an hour to an hour.
How painful is the procedure?
The treatment is done under the influence of anaesthesia, so the area is numbed beforehand. This ensures that you do not feel any pain during the procedure.
For pain that occurs after the effect wears off, your dentist will prescribe suitable painkillers and ice-packs to help the healing.
What is the benefit of a root canal treatment?
With timely intervention the tooth is saved from further infection, pain and subsequent extraction. This also protects the adjacent teeth from getting infected and complications.
Those who undergo extraction, for any reason, have to deal with:
- Gaps between teeth
- Teeth losing alignment
- Difficulty while chewing / biting
- Slight slur or lisp while speaking
- Changes in jaw structure
- Weakened jaw
Instead of having to deal with symptoms later, it is always best to have regular dental checks and avert oral health challenges in their nascent stage. A small step in time can save you from bigger challenges and costs later on.
To know more about root canal treatments, speak to the experts at Apollo Dental. Call: 1800-102-0288