Signs That You Might Need Root Canal Therapy

Is a root canal in your future? Know the warning signs so you can see your dentist. 

When patients come into our Colorado Springs office with a toothache, the goal of dentist Dr. Sheldon Golomb is to make sure that the tooth receives the best treatment possible, often resulting in a root canal therapy. A very common dental procedure, more than 41,000 root canals are performed each day and more than 15 million root canals are performed every year. Here are some signs that this treatment is right for you:

• An intense toothache
• Pain that’s intensified when chewing or putting pressure on the tooth
• Lingering tooth sensitivity, particularly to extreme temperatures such as hot and cold
• Darkening or discoloration of a tooth
• An abscess (a pimple-like growth on the gums that is also a sign of infection)
• Swollen, red gums surrounding the tooth

Are you experiencing any of these symptoms? If so, it’s time to see our dental team right away for treatment. When the dental pulp of the tooth becomes infected, the only option is to perform a root canal to remove the pulp and restore the tooth. If you ignore these symptoms instead, the infection will continue to affect the jawbone and neighboring teeth. Over time, this can lead to both tooth and bone loss.

This is why it’s important to play it safe when it comes to knowing whether or not to seek dental care. If you aren’t sure, just give us a call. Our dental staff will be able to tell you whether you should come in for treatment or we can schedule an appointment within the next couple of days if it’s a non-emergency.

You May Not Experience Symptoms 

While the symptoms above are common symptoms of needing a root canal, it’s also necessary to recognize that even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a healthy tooth. Sometimes no symptoms are present, so the only way to detect a dental infection is during a routine dental checkup. This is just one reason it is necessary to visit your dentist every six months for cleanings and exams—we can spot the warning signs of infected/damaged dental pulp that you may not even notice.

Interested? Give Us a Call

Remember: a root canal is not an elective procedure. If our Colorado Springs family dentist has told you that you need a root canal, it’s important that you schedule your procedure as soon as possible to prevent further complications. Call Dental Arts Center in Colorado Springs today at (719) 528-6441 and we’ll get you in for a checkup as soon as possible.