The American Association of Endodontists indicates that many people have root canals every year. Root canal therapy is an important procedure. Finding out the important aspects of this procedure can help prepare you for your next appointment. Here are the details to consider when and why you need a root canal. 
 

Gum Inflammation
 

If you have inflamed gum tissue around your infected tooth, you may need a root canal. This type of swelling may or may not be painful. It is from the acidic wastes of the dead pulp. A pimple on the gum or an abscess may also be a sign that you need root canal therapy. The gum pimple is a way for the pus to ooze out of the tooth. The draining pus can result in bad breath or a bitter taste in your mouth. 
 

Steady Pain

The unending tooth pain that you feel may be another sign that you need a root canal. The pain may disappear for a time, but it always comes back. You may feel the pain deep inside the tooth and the area of the jawbone. 

Tooth Discoloration

A pulp infection can lead to tooth discoloration. A grayish-black color often results from pulp tissue deterioration or dental trauma. The pulp can die if the blood supply is not enough. This will tell the dentist that your tooth needs root canal therapy.  
 

Temperature Sensitivity

The affected tooth may start to hurt whenever you eat something hot or cold. There could be a sharp pain or a dull ache. You may need root canal therapy if the pain lingers even after drinking or eating. The pain may indicate damage or infection to the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth.

Pain Upon Contact
 

You may feel pain whenever the affected tooth comes into contact with food or drinks. The tooth may also hurt whenever you touch it. This may be a sign of nerve damage or severe tooth decay. The ligament is hypersensitive because the pulp is already dying. The dying pulp’s waste products start to irritate this ligament. That is why you may experience pain whenever you bite something.

Tooth Movement
 

A tooth tends to loosen when it has an infection. Nerve death often produces acids. The substances soften the bone around the dying tooth’s root. That is why the tooth becomes loose or mobile. 
 

Cracking or Chipping
 

This type of dental damage may be the result of chewing on a hard item, a sports injury, or an accident. The opening can introduce bacteria into the tooth, leading to infection and swelling. Sometimes, dental trauma does not result in a crack or chip. Even so, the trauma may still damage the nerves and blood vessels. There could be nerve inflammation, pain, and sensitivity. This is a clear sign that the tooth needs root canal therapy. 
 

Your dentist will determine when and why root canals are necessary. At Eagle Gate Dental, we make sure our patients understand their procedures and treatments before they begin. Please visit our clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah, for an in-person consultation. Call us at 801-781-5300 to set an appointment or ask about our root canal treatment packages.