There are a number of reasons why you might need a root canal treatment, even though your teeth are generally healthy and well cared-for. Some of these are preventable, while others are less so. Here are 5 signs you would benefit from an endodontic procedure carried out by our dentist in Surrey BC.

Reason #1: Tooth Damage

When a tooth is chipped or cracked, it often results in exposure of the nerves beneath the surface. Even if the crack or damage is invisible to the eye, it’s possible for bacteria to find its way into the tooth pulp and cause inflammation. If this remains untreated, infection can develop that could enter your bloodstream and spread, affecting your overall health as well as causing root canal pain. It’s to get tooth damage addressed before you reach this stage.

Reason #2: Sensitivity to Temperature

If any of your teeth ache when you eat or drink hot coffee or cold ice-cream, this could be an indication of infection in your tooth pulp. Sensitivity usually begins as a dull ache, which can become a sharp and intense pain as the infection progresses. If you notice you’re starting to eat on one side of your mouth in particular, it could be that you’re avoiding a painful tooth that requires root canal treatment. Some patients also experience sensitivity to pressure, which is typically a result of a damaged root.

Reason #3: Swollen and Painful Gums

Inflammation and swelling of the gums are indications of problems below the surface. These could include the presence of an abscess, caused by infected tooth pulp or a foreign object becoming lodged in the gum tissue. In some cases, this can be resolved by draining the abscess and prescribing antibiotics for you to control the infection, but if the cause is an infected root then emergency root canal surgery may be recommended by our dentist in Surrey BC.

Reason #4: Deep Decay

This occurs when a cavity or other dental problem is ignored for too long, and the pulp tissue either becomes infected or dies. After this type of deep decay sets in, stepping up your oral hygiene regimen is unlikely to produce any results. In instances like this it’s often difficult to save the tooth, even with a root canal procedure, but our dentist in Surrey BC will be able to determine whether the tooth needs extraction or if it can be treated and sealed with a crown.

Reason #5: Tooth Discolouration

When a tooth becomes darkly discoloured, this is often caused by poor dental hygiene combined with exposure to food and drink that stains the tooth enamel. Nerve damage beneath the tooth can also result in discolouration, however, and if a dental examination shows this to be the cause then a root canal treatment may be recommended.

Daily oral hygiene practices and regular dental appointments are important to avoid the spread of infection and disease that occurs when teeth are neglected. A root canal treatment can help to save a damaged tooth by cleaning out the compromised pulp tissue, sealing it and covering the remainder of the tooth with a crown. If you wait too long to get endodontic treatment, however, what might have been a small fix can become much more serious and costly.

As one of the leading dentists in Surrey BC, we’re keen to help you receive the dental care you need. Please contact us to schedule your appointment.

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