Does your tooth hurt? Have your dentist recommended root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment often invokes anxiety and fear among patients. The mere mention of the term “root canal” can send shudders down the spine of even the bravest of souls.
Root canal procedures were once known for being painful. So, it is normal to be anxious about your impending therapy.
Nonetheless, it is critical to keep in mind that the purpose of a root canal treatment is not to inflict pain on you but rather to alleviate pain brought on by dental decay and infection.
What is root canal therapy?
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The procedure involves taking out the damaged or infected tissue from the tooth’s root canal, cleaning and shaping it, and then filling and sealing it to prevent any further infection.
With advances in technology and techniques, root canal treatment is now quicker, more comfortable, and more effective than ever before.
Which signs suggest you need a root canal treatment?
- Discomfort or pain
If you experience pain or soreness that does not go away or gets worse when you bite down, an issue probably needs to be evaluated.
This disagreeable sensation alone may be a sign of sinus issues, periodontal disease, dental decay, a lost filling, or tooth sensitivity.
When you experience pain when touching the tooth, this is another form of oral pain typical in people who require root canal therapy.
The inflammation inside the canals may be the source of excruciating pain when biting or contacting a tooth. The ligaments keeping the tooth in position can experience pain as a result of infection killing the pulp inside the tooth.
- Sensitivity to cold or heat
Tooth sensitivity is another indicator that you might require a root canal.
It is an issue if drinking hot beverages like coffee or tea hurts your teeth. It is generally described as a dull soreness that worsens over time and can become an acute, excruciating pain.
Cold meals and beverages can also be very painful for people who have infected teeth. Damaged blood vessels and nerve receptors are to blame if you eat ice and avoid chewing on one side of your mouth to prevent a painful tooth.
Thus, your dentist can suggest that a root canal treatment is necessary to treat your painful tooth.
- Discolouration of the tooth
A tooth that appears grey or black is probably decayed. A decayed tooth serves as a haven for germs. The only guaranteed treatment for infection caused by a deceased pulp cavity is a root canal treatment.
Also, the blood vessels in the pulp cavity of your tooth can occasionally become ruptured by physical harm to your gums. You should call your doctor and characterise the situation as a dental emergency if you can see a tooth darkening after it was injured.
- Chipped or cracked tooth
Broken or chipped teeth often result from stress or from biting down on something that is not giving in. The smallest chip or hairline fissure in your tooth can let dangerous bacteria slowly decay and infiltrate your tooth’s interior, leading to decay and decay.
A full-blown illness and the requirement for root canal surgery are likely preventable if you immediately seek care for a chipped or cracked tooth.
Does it hurt?
During the root canal treatment:
Because dentists use local anaesthesia during root canal procedures, you will not experience any discomfort.
Prior to receiving root canal therapy, the tooth itself is where the pain from root canal procedures originates. The reality is that it goes away when the infection is treated.
Hence, the idea that root procedures hurt is untrue.
After the root canal treatment:
You may start to feel some sensitivity and soreness in the hours following your root canal procedure as the local anaesthetic goes off. This is particularly true if the affected tooth was diseased or painful before your root canal treatment.
Aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium are some examples of over-the-counter medications that can treat this pain, which is usually mild.
You should be able to continue with work, school, and other activities as usual, but we advise consuming soft foods and avoiding chewing with the treated teeth until the pain subsides.
After root canal therapy, pain typically only lasts a few days. Call the dentist if the pain persists after this point.
How much pain is too much?
How can you tell if your pain is excessive as you recover from a root canal? There are several methods to determine this.
You should call your dentist right away if the pain you are experiencing prevents you from carrying on with your regular activities.
After a root canal, problems can occasionally arise.
Sharp pain, fever, edema, an irregular bite, and a general feeling of unwell are possible symptoms. So, it is critical to rule out any infections, dental fractures, or gaps that might interfere with the healing process.
Even though root canal therapy is highly successful, some instances call for retreatment.
In most cases, retreatment is sufficient to reduce pain and suffering, but teeth extraction or dental crowns and bridges are the best solutions in some situations.
In order to help you make the best choice, your dentist can fully outline the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative and recommend the best course of action.
In conclusion
Root canal therapy is a highly successful dental operation that can preserve your natural teeth and relieve pain in your mouth brought on by illness or decay.
The process is currently more comfortable and less invasive than ever, thanks to developments in contemporary dentistry technology and methods.
Do not hesitate to speak with your dentist if you have tooth pain or sensitivity to determine whether root canal treatment is the best course for you.
