Don’t Ignore a Toothache.
Toothaches are some of the worst pain anyone can ever experience. We understand and want to help get you out of pain. Teeth in trouble don’t get better on their own without experiencing pain for prolonged periods of time.
Toothaches can occur because a tooth has or had a large cavity, a crack, fracture or it had trauma. All of these conditions allow bacteria and stimulants such as fluids or food to abnormally enter the space where the nerve is or near it in the tubules that have nerve endings and communicate with the nerve of the tooth. The bacteria or stimulants can irreversibly irritate a tooth causing the nerve to be severely sensitive or die. The tooth then needs to have the nerve removed with a root canal, have the canal cleaned out of debris causing the infection or be removed itself to get rid of the sensitivity or infection.
Signs that a root canal is needed
- severe toothache
- pain when chewing
- pain with pressure on a specific tooth
- increased extreme sensitivity to hot and cold
- dark discolouration of a tooth
- swelling
- tenderness in surrounding gum tissue
Not every patient experiences all of these symptoms and some patients experience no symptoms at all. However if you experience any of these symptoms or suspect you might have an infected tooth contact Southbrook Dental Group right away.
The root canal process
Root canal treatment typically requires 1-2 visits. Your dentist or endodontist (a dentist who specializes with problems in the nerves of the teeth) removes the nerve out of your tooth, cleans out the canal and then seals it. The tooth then has a white filling to seal it. Teeth that have had extensive damage should have a crown placed on them to protect them from fracturing. Please see the crown information page.
Once the root canal has been completed you should continue to care for your teeth with regular brushing, flossing and checkups. With proper care, your restored teeth can last a lifetime.