If you are experiencing pain in your tooth, don’t just wait for it to go away. You may have a cracked or broken tooth that will only get worse without proper treatment. If you have severe tooth pain that won’t go away, a root canal may help. A root canal removes diseased tissues and bacteria in the tooth pulp which can greatly reduce any pain you are experiencing. 

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is also called an endodontic treatment. It involves the removal of your tooth’s nerve and bacteria from the pulp of your tooth. This part of your tooth is packed with nerve and blood vessels which can produce a lot of pain when infected. 

Signs That You Need Root Canal

Experiencing tooth pain isn’t the only sign that you may need a root canal. There are a few other signs that may indicate your need for a root canal including: 

• Sensitivity to cold and hot food or beverages- Overly cold or hot items may cause irritation to your tooth. If you feel pain when consuming these types of foods and beverages, you may want to speak to your dentist. 
• Swelling and redness at the gums- If you look in the mirror and notice that your gums seem swollen, red, or otherwise irritated, this may indicate an issue with your tooth’s pulp. However, it could also be a symptom of a toothache. Have your dental professional assess it as soon as possible. 

No matter what the sign or symptom, if you notice something off about your teeth or gums, it is best to schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist. 

What to Do If You Have These Symptoms

If you are feeling any of these symptoms, you should know you need to contact your general dentistry. There are a few steps that you can take to deal with your tooth pain in the meantime:

• Instead of irritating your mouth with food or drinks that are too hot or too cold, let them sit for a few minutes and reach a more moderate temperature. 
• Brush your teeth gently as to not further irritate the affected area. 
• Use pain relievers to ease any pain.

These practices should alleviate some of the pain you’re experiencing until you are able to see your dentist. However, these practices should not be used as cures for your pain.

What are the steps of a root canal?

Root canals are fairly straightforward procedures and are typically done in 3 steps. They can be performed right at your dental office so there is no need to venture out to find a facility that performs them. The root canal steps include: 

Step 1 – The Removal of the Nerve

You will likely be sedated under either local anesthesia per your request during your procedure. So while you will be awake and aware, you won’t be able to feel any pain in your mouth. Your dentist will then remove the pump from the top of your tooth.

Step 2 – Cleaning the area and providing antibiotics

After the pulp is removed, your dentist will clean the area and make sure that all infected tissue is removed. After the area is cleaned, your dentist may apply antibiotics to the area to prevent the infection from coming back. 

Step 3 – Filling the tooth

A small filling will be placed on top of the tooth in order to protect the infected area from saliva. The material is soft and temporary until a crown can be made and placed on top. 

Depending on the severity of your case, the treatment can last a few sessions or many sessions. During your treatment period, medication will be provided to you so that you can remain comfortable between appointments. 

Contact Us

If you have been feeling tooth pain or would like to schedule a root canal, contact the experts at RenovaSmiles. We have years of helping patients achieve their dental goals and would be happy to assist you with yours!