Root canal treatment is used to repair teeth that are severely damaged and save them without having to extract them. The diseased portion of the teeth is removed during the procedure. To eliminate the infection, the hollow core of the tooth is cleaned and then filled with substances before being sealed. This will preserve your teeth, so there’s no need to remove them.

The treated teeth can then restore their function and support neighbouring teeth.

After a diagnosis of tooth decay and a thorough examination of the decayed teeth, endodontic treatment is scheduled as needed. The oral health of the individual is assessed, as well as any other habits such as smoking or chewing tobacco that need to be looked at – these can help the dentist get a better understanding of the patient’s dental health.

During the dental visit, a plan will be made in order to provide the best care for the patient.

When do you need root canal treatment?

There are several signs that you need root canal treatment.

Some of them include:

• pain during cold or hot food intake
• pain when chewing food
• pain in the cheeks or jaw bones
• increased sensitivity to sweets or sour foods
• bleeding after brushing teeth
• swelling of the gums next to an infected tooth

If you experience any of these symptoms, check with your dentist. They will let you know if you need root canal treatment.

If it is not treated soon enough, it may lead to a tooth abscess. An infection left untreated spreads through the bone and makes its way up into the sinuses, throat or even brain. This can cause serious problems with your health if not treated immediately by a dental professional. The earlier root canal treatment starts, the better.

Severe toothache

Every dental problem translates to tooth pain. However, in the event of a root canal, the discomfort will be continuous and keep on increasing. Decay advances into the inner part of the tooth, affecting nerve receptors that are housed in the core of the teeth. As bacterial activity rises, it gradually intensifies discomfort. The centre of your teeth is weakened, and when you eat food, pressure on your teeth causes more discomfort.

Some individuals have reported this discomfort to be severe at times and then to entirely go away, only to resurface again. This recurring pain indicates that something is wrong with the teeth. Many people will brush off toothache as a result of a variety of factors, but when it occurs repeatedly and becomes more intense, it is strongly advised to visit an expert.

Tooth sensitivity

Teeth sensitivity can be defined as a condition in which hot or cold food is consumed and the teeth react violently. A tingling sensation occurs, followed by discomfort and pain. This suggests that the nerve endings in the core of the teeth have been damaged.

When dental enamel is worn away, the inner portion of the tooth becomes more apparent than when it is protected by a thick enamel covering. It also implies pulpitis, or pulp injury, which necessitates treatment.

Without treatment, teeth sensitivity continues after one has stopped eating food. The discomfort and agony might grow with each day. Many have reported that their tooth sensitivity has stayed on for weeks or even months when they failed to receive treatment. It is also true that when symptoms are overlooked, the disease grows without receiving any therapy.

Gums affected

When a tooth is infected, the gums and surrounding tissues are also harmed. The decay will spread to the adjacent gums and other soft tissues, increasing the damage in the dental region by twofold. The gums will be inflamed, crimson, and painful. They’ll be sensitive to touch when this happens, with some experiencing bleeding from their gums. When you move your jaw slightly, they’ll swell up as well, causing them to puff out somewhat on both sides of your face and neck.

When food is consumed, pain and sensitivity in the gums akin to when hot or cold food touches the gum lining may be felt. The gums discolour due to decay of the gum tissues. Decay of the teeth causes the gums to lose their ability to support teeth. If left untreated, the tooth may even will fall out from the gums.

Discolouration of the teeth

The teeth change colour when the nerve endings are damaged by decay. The diseased tooth becomes darker in hue, becoming a shade of greyish black, which is then transmitted out and appears as a dark-coloured tooth. This depicts spread of decay in the inner portions of the teeth, as well as nerve damage. Blood flow to the inner regions of the teeth is halted, affecting blood circulation to the core, and nerve endings cease to function once blood supply has been cut off. As a result, greyish black nerves change colour and become black due to lack of blood supply.

This is an indication that the roots of the teeth have been damaged and that dental treatment must be sought immediately. The tooth that has discoloured will hurt to the touch and will respond vigorously to hot or cold food. When two or three symptoms appear simultaneously, it indicates the damage has spread.

Save your tooth with root canal treatment

When there is a mix of warning signals and an increase in tooth and gum pain, the best step you can take is to schedule an appointment with a dentist. Dentists will be able to evaluate the degree of damage and when treatment should begin. When root canal therapy is finished, there is no discomfort since it is carried out under anaesthesia. Root canal therapy may be used to save sick teeth.

Root canal therapy can save teeth once thought to be lost if it is done on time. Since the practice has evolved, it has become simple and inexpensive to do, but knowing when treatment should begin is essential. The earlier you begin your treatment, the more comfortable the procedure will be for you and the greater your chances of avoiding complications.