5 Signs You May Need a Root Canal (And What to Do Next)
1. Persistent or Throbbing Tooth Pain
Pain that lingers, especially one that throbs or wakes you up at night, is one of the clearest signs of an infected or inflamed tooth pulp. Unlike the fleeting sensitivity from a minor cavity, root canal pain tends to be constant and often gets worse when lying down.
2. Lingering Sensitivity to Hot or Cold
A quick zing when you eat ice cream is normal. But if hot or cold sensitivity lingers for 30 seconds or more after the stimulus is gone, it can indicate the nerve inside the tooth is damaged or infected.
3. Swollen or Tender Gums Near One Tooth
Localized swelling, a small bump on the gum (sometimes called a 'gum boil'), or tenderness when touching the gum near a specific tooth often signals an infection at the root tip that needs endodontic treatment.
4. Tooth Discoloration
A tooth that has darkened or turned grayish compared to its neighbors can indicate that the internal pulp tissue has died — a common reason root canal treatment is recommended even without obvious pain.
5. Pain When Chewing or Applying Pressure
Sharp pain specifically when biting down or chewing can point to infection or a crack that has reached the inner pulp of the tooth, both of which are commonly treated with root canal therapy.
What Happens Next?
If you notice one or more of these signs, the next step is a dental exam and X-ray to confirm the diagnosis. At The Trinity Dental Clinic, root canal treatment is performed by our consultant endodontist, Dr. Parthasarathy, using modern techniques designed to keep the procedure as comfortable as possible while saving your natural tooth.
Related Treatment
Root Canal Treatment
Painless, modern endodontic care that saves your natural teeth.
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