Many people believe that routine brushing and flossing are enough to maintain one’s dental health, but that isn’t quite the case. Even if you take great care in brushing your teeth multiple times a day, unfortunate things can happen, such as gum disease, cavities, or chipped teeth. Then, you may have to come in and see a dentist.
General dentists offer a wide range of dental services to help patients care for and maintain their teeth. Some are for regular maintenance like dental cleaning, while others are more specialized, like root canal therapy.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy involves the process of removing the nerve and pulp tissue from inside a tooth. Patients undergo root canal therapy if they experience tooth decay, fracture, or other severe dental injuries.
The procedure involves dentists using an anesthetic and usually a rubber dam to isolate the tooth from oral bacteria. They inject the anesthetic into the gums around the tooth to numb it before drilling into it. Then they will remove any infected material and clean the area before filling it with a temporary or permanent filling.
How to Tell You Need Root Canal Therapy
Unlike braces and other dental treatments, root canal therapy has many tells, some of which you can learn about below:
Cracked or Broken Teeth
Biting hard food or physical accidents often result in cracked or broken teeth. Now, it’s worth noting that even the tiniest of damage to your teeth can open up its interior to the devastation of bacteria, resulting in gradual decay and infection.
Failing to come in for a filling to address the cracked or broken teeth may lead to a full-blown infection, requiring you to undergo root canal therapy. If you have damaged teeth, see a dentist as soon as possible.
Swollen Jaw or Face
A swollen jaw or the lower half of the face doesn’t always indicate the need for root canal therapy. However, either may be a sign of tooth infection, whether it’s mild or involves severe swelling.
If swollen gums and lasting tooth pain accompany the swelling, the infection may have reached the root of your teeth. You may also have a dental abscess, which a dentist can treat with antibiotics and root canal therapy. Should you experience any form of swelling around your mouth, see a dentist immediately.
Teeth Discoloration
Everybody wants a healthy white smile, making tooth discoloration a common concern for the general public. Often, tooth discoloration happens due to poor dental hygiene, tobacco use, and food stains, and dentists treat it with dental cleaning and whitening procedures.
However, tooth discoloration could also result from severe tooth decay, requiring you to undergo root canal therapy. If your schedule permits it, try to see a dentist regularly so that you can prevent tooth discoloration and tooth decay.
Do You Need Root Canal Therapy?
Each situation is unique. You may be experiencing some swelling in your gums, suffering through persistent toothaches, or perhaps you have tooth discoloration. Still, none of these necessarily mean you need root canal therapy right away.
It’s best to book an appointment with a reputable dentist in your area to be safe and sure about your situation. A thorough examination done by a professional can give you a better idea of addressing any dental issues or pains you may be feeling.
If you’re looking for a dentist in Chattanooga, consider booking an appointment with Shallowford Family Dental. We have been serving the community for several decades now, and our four doctors have seventy-five years of experience combined. We offer general dentistry, restorative dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry. Visit us today!