Are you ignoring a nagging toothache, hoping it will just go away? Don’t let fear get in the way of your oral health. Root canals get a bad rap, but they’re a highly effective way to save your tooth and alleviate pain.
At LA Dental Town in East Los Angeles, California, we understand that procedures like root canals are a source of anxiety for many patients. Our team prioritizes your comfort, guiding you through the experience with care and expertise.
If the idea seems daunting, we’re here to ease your mind. Here, we list five signs that you may need a root canal and explain how modern dental technology makes addressing the problem easier than you think.
Inside each of your teeth, beneath the hard enamel and the dentin layer, lies a core of soft tissue called pulp. Tooth pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that help keep teeth healthy and strong.
However, when bacteria invade — often through a cavity, a crack in the tooth, severe tooth decay, or gum disease — it can trigger an aggressive inflammatory response, leading to pressure and swelling within the tooth. Without treatment, an infection of your tooth pulp (pulpitis) can cause complications like abscesses or bone damage.
A root canal addresses this issue by removing the infected pulp and then cleaning, filling, and sealing the tooth to prevent further infection. The following signs may indicate that you need a root canal:
If your toothache won’t go away, or if it keeps coming back, it could be due to a condition that requires a root canal. You might feel pain deep within the tooth itself, or the pain may radiate to your jaw, face, or neighboring teeth. Your pain may worsen when you bite down, chew, or touch the area.
Does your tooth hurt when you eat ice cream or sip your coffee? Sensitivity to heat and cold could be a sign of infection or damage within the tooth, especially if that pain lingers after you’ve finished eating or drinking.
You may notice swelling or tenderness in your gums near the affected tooth. This inflammation could be constant or it might come and go, and your gums may or may not be painful to the touch.
In some cases, you may develop a gum boil — a small pimple-like bump filled with pus, also called an abscess — which is a clear indication of an infection.
Darkening or other discoloration of the tooth is a visual clue that the pulp is damaged or infected. This color change is your tooth’s way of telling you that something’s happening inside.
Does the affected tooth feel a little bit loose? While it might seem unrelated, an advanced infection within the tooth can weaken its supporting structures, causing it to feel less stable.
If the idea of a root canal makes you uneasy, rest assured that it’s not a painful ordeal. Modern dental technology has transformed the experience, and these days, undergoing a root canal isn’t that different from getting a regular filling.
During the procedure, we numb the area with a local anesthetic so you don’t feel any pain as we work on the tooth. And if that doesn’t quell your anxiety, LA Dental Town offers sedation options, including nitrous oxide (laughing gas), to help you relax completely.
Our team is dedicated to making the process as painless and efficient as possible, focusing on preserving your tooth and restoring your oral health with minimal stress.
You may experience some mild soreness for a few days after a root canal as you’re healing, but it’s typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. Some patients even feel well enough to return to daily activities immediately after their procedure.
If you’re dealing with dental pain, don’t wait until it gets worse. Schedule an appointment at LA Dental Town for comprehensive, patient-focused care.
