A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures — but many patients don't know when they actually need one. Here are five signs that suggest it might be time to see your dentist.
1. Persistent tooth pain that doesn't go away with painkillers. This is often the earliest sign of pulp infection. The pain may be constant or come in waves, and it often worsens when lying down.
2. Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers. Brief sensitivity when eating ice cream or drinking hot tea is normal. But if the sensation lingers for minutes after the stimulus is gone, the nerve inside your tooth may be inflamed.
3. Swollen or tender gums near a specific tooth. Swelling around a tooth can indicate infection at the root tip. The gum may appear redder than usual and feel tender to touch.
4. A darkened or discolored tooth. When the pulp inside a tooth dies, the tooth can turn grey or dark yellow. This discoloration is caused by the breakdown of internal tissue.
5. A small bump (abscess) on the gum near the affected tooth. This pimple-like bump — called a fistula — is actually a drainage channel for pus from an infection at the tooth root. It may come and go, but it's a clear sign of infection.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, don't wait — early treatment is simpler, less painful, and preserves more of your natural tooth. Book a consultation with Premier Dental Care and we'll assess whether a root canal is actually needed, or if another treatment would be more appropriate.