Your dentist may have suggested a root canal treatment if you ever suffered from severe tooth pain or sensitivity. A root canal is a common dental procedure to save a severely infected or damaged tooth, preventing extraction and maintain your natural smile.

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure used to treat infection or inflammation in the pulp. When the pulp becomes damaged due to decay, injury, or infection, a root canal removes the affected tissue, disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it to prevent further damage.
This procedure not only eliminates pain but also maintains your natural tooth, avoiding the need for extraction and more complex dental procedures.

Common Signs You Might Need a Root Canal

1. Tooth Pain

One of the most common signs is ongoing pain that doesn’t go away. It may continuously or occur only when eating or applying pressure. This pain typically indicates damage or infection deep within the tooth.

2. Sensitivity to Hot and Cold

If you experience sharp pain when consuming hot drinks like coffee or cold items like ice cream and the discomfort lingers even after the temperature stimulus is gone it could be a sign the tooth’s nerve is damaged.

3. Swollen or Tender Gums

Swelling, tenderness, or even a small bump on the gums near the painful tooth could mean the infection has spread to the surrounding tissues. This is a serious sign that requires immediate dental attention.

4. Discoloration of the Tooth

A tooth that becomes darkened or gray in appearance may have internal damage or dying pulp. This discoloration is usually a warning that the nerve is no longer healthy.

5. Pain When Biting or Chewing

If you feel pain or discomfort when biting down, it could be due to inflammation around the root of the tooth another key indicator for root canal treatment.

6. A Chipped or Cracked Tooth

Cracks or chips can expose the tooth’s pulp to bacteria, leading to infection. Even if you don’t feel pain immediately, damage that reaches the nerve may require a root canal later on.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t delay. Visit Koshy’s Dental Clinic the best dental clinic in Kochi to analyze your symptoms and discuss the best treatment options. Early diagnosis and care can make all the difference in maintain your natural smile.