Do I Need an Emergency Root Canal?
Always call our office at the first twinge of dental pain. The longer you ignore a toothache, the more you increase your risk of needing emergency care. If you have a cavity that has penetrated the soft inner layer of your tooth (dental pulp), we may recommend an emergency root canal.
Here are the top signs you may need root canal therapy.
Prolonged Tooth Sensitivity to Heat and Cold
It’s not uncommon to experience the occasional tooth sensitivity when you eat ice cream or sip a cup of coffee. But if the tooth sensitivity persists, it’s time to have a conversation with your dentist. This is especially the case if you’re experiencing prolonged tooth sensitivity to heat and cold.
There are a number of reasons for tooth sensitivity, which range from at-home teeth whitening to cavities. But prolonged sensitivity could be a sign of a larger problem, such as an abscessed tooth.
Always call our office if you suspect that something is wrong with your oral health, especially if you’re experiencing other symptoms in addition to tooth sensitivity.
Pain When You Eat or Touch the Tooth
It’s not normal for your teeth to hurt when you touch them or eat. But your tooth may feel more sensitive if there’s a lot of decay or nerve damage. If the pulp inside your tooth is dying, the ligament around the root tip may be extra sensitive. This would cause a lot of pain when you bite down and chew.
If the , our dentists may recommend an emergency root canal to save the tooth.
Darkening or Discoloration of the Tooth
Call our office immediately if you notice that your tooth is changing color. Trauma to the tooth can damage the roots and give your tooth a grayish-black color. This discoloration can also happen when the dental pulp inside your tooth is breaking down and dying.
Severe Toothache
A toothache will not go away on its own. That’s why it’s important that you call our office as soon as possible if you’re experiencing any pain or discomfort.
A persistent toothache could indicate that you need an emergency root canal. This is regardless of whether the pain is constant or infrequent. As long as the pain keeps returning, it indicates a much bigger problem that needs to be addressed.
Related: What Can I Do for Severe Tooth Pain? →
Swollen Gums
Swelling is often the body’s natural defense against infection. As such, you may have swollen gums if you’re dealing with an . In addition to swollen gums, you may also notice a pimple on the gums. If pus oozes from this pimple, you may experience a bad taste in your mouth or have bad breath.
Loose Tooth
When the tooth’s nerve dies, it creates acidic waste products that soften the bone around the root. This loosens the tooth so it’s more likely to fall out. If you notice any movement in your teeth, call our office immediately to schedule an appointment. Our dentists will do everything in their power to help save the tooth so you can avoid extraction.
Request an Appointment With Us
Our dentists in Shelby Township, MI, are accepting new patients and would be more than happy to welcome you to our practice. To schedule an appointment and learn more about root canal treatment, please call the dental office of Frank Ruffino DDS at (586) 799-4240.
