Root Canal Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Painful infected teeth can affect your ability to speak, chew, smile and even sleep. Contact Yorkshire Dental Suite today for a quick tooth repair that restores your quality of life.

A tooth infection may become a serious risk to your health when left untreated. If you are experiencing symptoms that suggest an infection is present, you need to contact your dentist as soon as possible for a root canal.

Common root canal symptoms

Knowing when you need a root canal can be difficult to determine. The experts at Yorkshire Dental Suite recommend looking out for the following, as these are common indicators that your tooth is infected or inflamed.

Pain when consuming hot or cold food and drink
Persistent toothache
Difficulties when swallowing
A tooth abscess
Pimples or boils on the gums
Swelling in the cheeks, jaw or neck
A bad taste in the mouth
Swollen, tender gums
Loose tooth
Darkened tooth colour
Fever

So when should you see a dentist? If you are experiencing any of the above, book an appointment. The earlier the infection is caught, the more likely the root canal will be a success – and the tooth can be saved.

If you have a fever, abscess or swelling across the face, jaw or throat, contact your dentist immediately. If outside working hours, please reach out to 111 for assistance. Always contact 999 if you are having difficulties breathing or swallowing or experienced severe dental trauma.

How is a root canal done and is it painful?

Many patients will avoid the dentist for as long as possible as they fear the root canal treatment itself. We hope to minimise the fear surrounding this procedure. To do this, we have broken down exactly what you can expect on the day of your root canal.

The mouth is numbed.
A piece of flexible, thin rubber is placed inside the mouth, covering everything but the infected tooth.
A small hole is made in the tooth.
Using tiny instruments, your dentist cleans everything out of this hole, including the nerves, blood vessels and tissues.
The inside of the tooth is disinfected with a liquid.
Then, the clean tooth is sealed with a temporary filling.
Your final appointment includes returning to the clinic to have the tooth either permanently filled or topped with a crown.

The initial treatment usually takes between 60 and 90 minutes. Trickier cases may need multiple appointments. However, with your choice of sedation or local anaesthetic, the process is completely painless.

What happens if a root canal goes untreated?

Infection should not be ignored. Allowing your tooth to get worse can cause serious problems with your oral health and general wellbeing. In severe cases, this may develop into life-threatening complications as a result of the infection spreading.

Something else to note is that leaving your tooth alone often leads to you needing more invasive (and expensive) dental procedures in the future. This is why you should never ignore the warning signs.

How to reduce the risk of root canal problems

No one wants an infected tooth. Luckily, alongside knowing the common symptoms of infection, there are a few ways in which you can help minimise your chances of ever needing a root canal.

Maintain a great oral hygiene routine: Consistent brushing and flossing helps to remove the plaque and bacteria that contributes to tooth decay.
Do not avoid the dentist: We are specially trained to spot ongoing issues with your oral health that patients cannot see, and even identify future problems.
Be considerate of your diet: Sugary and acidic foods and drinks both contribute to tooth decay. Acidic substances also directly weaken and erode enamel.
Protect your teeth with a mouthguard: Dental trauma and habits such as teeth grinding leave your teeth more susceptible to infection.

Root canal alternatives

A root canal is not the only treatment option for an infected tooth. Your dentist may decide it is not necessary after examining your tooth, and instead suggest any of the alternative procedures:

Treatment	How does it work?	When is it recommended as an alternative?
Pulpotomy	This is usually performed on baby teeth. It involves removing the pulp in the crown of the tooth to help prevent future decay and/or infection.	The tooth is alive and extraction is preventable.
Direct pulp capping	The decay is removed from the tooth. A medicated material is applied to protect the tooth from bacteria until the dentin repairs itself.	The decay has not yet reached the tooth’s pulp.
Fillings	First, your dentist removes the decay from the tooth, before it is sealed up with your chosen filling material (typically composite resin or silver amalgam).	The decay is not severe enough for a root canal.
Tooth extraction	The socket is widened (where the roots of your teeth sit) and the tooth is loosened. Then, your dentist pulls it out in one or multiple pieces.	A last resort – the tooth cannot be saved.

Conclusion:

Do not ignore pain and contact your dentist if you think you are in need of a root canal. We understand that the procedure is intimidating to many – however, our friendly team, sedation options and spa-like clinics are designed to keep you comfortable from the moment you enter to the moment you leave. Book an appointment now.