6 Signs That You Need a Root Canal in Kernersville

You’re sitting in the dentist’s chair when you get some unexpected news. Your dentist tells you that you need a root canal. This procedure entails the dentist removing the infected or damaged pulp, or nerves and blood vessels, from your tooth and then sealing the inner chamber.

If you don’t know what you’re looking for, it can be easy for the untrained eye to overlook the signs that you need a root canal in Kernersville. That’s why your semiannual checkup appointments are so important—they are opportunities for your dentist to catch problems before they become more serious and require more invasive treatment. If you experience any of the six symptoms described below, you should see your dentist and have the issue resolved right away!

Severe Toothache

Many times, when bacteria has gained access to the pulp either through decay or damage, the nerves send out a painful signal. It is fairly common to feel severe tooth pain before a root canal, but the procedure will relieve that pain and protect your tooth from further infection.

Chipped, Cracked, or Broken Tooth

A blow to the mouth or a facial injury can leave you with a damaged tooth. If you or a loved one experience a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, seek help from a dentist as soon as you can. The pulp of the tooth could become exposed to bacteria and need to be removed as a result.

Swollen Gums

When gums swell, it usually indicates an infection beneath the surface. In some cases, you can see a bump in the gums generally located where the tips of your tooth’s roots are. Your dentist will be able to use X-rays to determine where the infection lies and perform the treatment necessary to get rid of it, which in this case is a root canal.

Dark Tooth Discoloration

When the root of a tooth becomes infected, the tooth itself can change to a dark color, as if the entire tooth is dying. Indeed, without a root canal, that would be the case. Through a root canal, your dentist in Kernersville can save your natural tooth from needing to be extracted.

Prolonged Sensitivity

Some minor tooth sensitivity is nothing to be particularly worried about, but if the sensitivity persists or interferes with your daily functions, don’t ignore it! This could be a sign that the pulp is infected.  

Decay

Sometimes, the only indication that you need a root canal comes from the X-rays showing that decay has reached the pulp. Without intervention, decay could completely overtake the tooth or spread to other teeth.

If you or your dentist notice one of these symptoms, it’s important to get treatment for it as soon as possible. Not only could you suffer unnecessary pain, but the problem will only get worse as time goes by. A root canal is a tooth-saving procedure that allows you to keep your natural tooth healthy structure intact. Once the pulp has been removed, the inner chamber sealed, and your tooth restored with a filling or dental crown, you’ll be back to full health and function.

About the Author

Working alongside his mother, Dr. Veronica Walker, Dr. Zack Walker graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry with honors in 2017. Afterward, he completed the Advanced Education in General Dentistry program through the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine. To schedule an appointment with him, you can call (336) 993-3727 or click here.