There are multiple signs that a tooth may need a root canal. To understand why you may need a root canal, first you need to understand the characteristics of your teeth. Teeth are “tough” on the outside, but inside they have a soft core called a nerve chamber. This inner core is made up of nerve tissue and blood vessels that feed the nerve. If a nerve degenerates completely the tissues die and gangrene develops. The nerve chamber may also become infected in some cases.
A tooth needs a root canal when the nerve of the tooth becomes infected. A tooth may be infected if it is sensitive to hot, cold, or chewing, causes pain or swelling, keeps you awake at night, creates a bad taste in your mouth, or you may have no symptoms at all. When a root canal is done, your symptoms will dissipate because the nerve will have been removed from the tooth.
Here are a few tips to noticing if you need a root canal:
- If you notice toothache pain – A lot of people who need a root canal notice a shooting pain in their teeth first. This is usually exacerbated by the chewing of food.
- Sensitive to hot and cold – If you’re ultra sensitive to both hot and cold liquids or foods, this is another sign that you may need a root canal. Your teeth may feel extremely irritated even after the food item or liquid is not longer on your teeth.
- Swollen Gums – If the gums around your infected tooth are swollen or that they feel tender when touched, this is yet another sign that you may need a root canal. Swollen gums can be painful and can cause all kinds of health problems and it is better if you deal with it now than waiting until later.
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If you have any questions about Root Canals or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Leikin & Baylin Dental Care of Catonsville, Maryland by calling 410-747-1115 or visit CatonsvilleDentalCare.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
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Source: How to Tell If You Need A Root Canal, eHow.com