No one likes the idea of needing a root canal in Leesburg. Therefore, you might be tempted to ignore any dental symptoms and hope they go away on their own. However, such thinking is dangerous. If you have a badly infected or damaged tooth, the sooner you visit a dentist for root canal therapy, the sooner you can be back to feeling your best. Prompt treatment can also prevent the situation from getting worse and endangering your overall health. If you experience any of the following common root canal-related symptoms, schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist ASAP.
A Persistent Toothache
Toothaches can have a number of different causes, including an infection in the tooth’s pulp (the soft substance at the center of the tooth that gets treated during root canal therapy). Throbbing, persistent tooth pain is the most common type of discomfort associated with the need for root canal treatment.
Chipped or Cracked Tooth
Oops! You just bit down too hard on a piece of candy, or you had an unfortunate incident while playing sports. Visit your dentist right away. A chipped or cracked tooth can leave its pulp vulnerable to infection and often leads to the need for root canal treatment.
Temperature Sensitivity
Many people experience a degree of dental sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. However, if the pain lingers even after you remove the source of the temperature change, that is a sign that you may need root canal therapy.
Pressure Sensitivity
If you experience sharp pain in a tooth when you use it to chew, or when you press on it lightly with your finger, the problem could be related to the tooth’s pulp. A dentist will be able to determine the cause of the sensitivity and may suggest that you undergo root canal therapy.
Swollen Gums
If your gums are swollen or have a pimple-like bump on them, this may be caused by an infection in a nearby tooth. Root canal therapy can help to vanquish the infection.
A Dark Tooth
If one of your teeth is noticeably darker than the ones around it, it may be due to a problem with the tooth’s pulp. Therefore, root canal therapy may be necessary.
Extensive Decay
When a cavity is left untreated, it will not heal on its own. Rather, it will continue to worsen. Eventually, it will reach the tooth’s interior portion, allowing plaque and bacteria to invade the pulp and lead to the need for root canal treatment.
Do you believe you need root canal therapy? Contact an emergency dentist in Leesburg as soon as possible so you can protect your oral and overall health!
About the Author
Dr. David Groy is a dentist in Leesburg who eared his dental degree four decades ago. He combines his extensive experience with his caring disposition to help his patients achieve and maintain excellent oral health. He is always willing to help emergency patients. If you are in urgent need of professional dental care, contact Dr. Groy’s office at 703-777-5600.