Do You Need a Root Canal?

The symptoms of many oral health problems can overlap, so it can be challenging to know if you need a root canal in Cocoa, FL. While we encourage you to schedule an appointment anytime you are experiencing pain or other new symptoms, knowing the signs of infected tooth pulp that indicate you need a root canal is helpful.

Understanding the Anatomy of a Tooth

The inside of each of your teeth contains blood vessels and pulp that can become infected. The most typical reasons for infection include severe tooth decay, a deep crack in the tooth, chronic tooth grinding, an injury to the face, and bacteria inside your mouth penetrating the tooth. When you get a root canal, our dentist removes the infected pulp, cleans the inside of the tooth, and places a dental cap over it if it’s a back-chewing tooth. The cap helps to prevent further inflammation.

Signs You May Have an Infected Tooth

Persistent, throbbing pain that does not respond to typical home remedies like non-prescription pain relievers or ice packs is one of the most obvious signs that you could be dealing with infected tooth pulp. Other things to look for include:

• Tooth appears black or gray instead of its usual color
• Increased sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks
• Chip or crack in the tooth
• Pain while eating or when you touch the tooth
• Swollen gums
• Pus or pimples on your gums
• Tooth feels loose

Never ignore these symptoms hoping they will go away or try to figure out the problem on your own. You risk tooth extraction if you wait too long to schedule an appointment with PSJ Dental Care. Please contact us to schedule an appointment to determine if you need a root canal in Cocoa, FL, as soon as possible.