Your teeth do the important work of breaking down your food so you can safely ingest it. The outer portions of your teeth are made from a hard substance called enamel. Tooth enamel protects the soft dentin and nerves found inside your teeth.
Unfortunately, tooth enamel can be eaten away by sticky plaque, a substance that forms inside your mouth due to bacteria and sugar. If bacteria gets through your enamel and infects the inside of your tooth, you will need a root canal. You may require a root canal procedure if you experience any of these four symptoms:
1. Sensitivity To Cold
Teeth can be sensitive to cold for a number of reasons. Sometimes teeth feel sensitive due to prior dental work. Teeth that contain dental fillings can be more sensitive to cold than those that do not. However, sensitivity to cold can also be a sign of tooth decay, especially if the sensitivity starts suddenly. You should visit your dentist for a checkup if you're worried about increased sensitivity. Your dentist may schedule you for a root canal or suggest that you start using special toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
2. Sensitivity To Heat
Teeth can be sensitive to heat as well as cold. If you feel pain when drinking coffee or eating a hot meal, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can. Sensitivity to heat is a sign that your tooth has become internally decayed. Once decay has reached the inside of your tooth, the only solution is a root canal procedure.
3. Tooth Pain
Tooth pain can be a sign of issues that can only be diagnosed by your dentist. A toothache is a warning that you need prompt dental attention. Tooth pain can be caused by a lost filling, a chipped tooth, a run-of-the-mill cavity, or an infection that requires a root canal. Regular cavities and missing fillings can worsen if they aren't treated immediately. Dentists will diagnose the cause of tooth pain using visual examination techniques and x-rays. Any tooth infections that are discovered can be treated with antibiotics and root canal treatment.
4. Unfavorable X-Rays
Sometimes, you may need a root canal without realizing it. Some people don't experience any symptoms at all when they are experiencing tooth decay. That's why it's important to have your teeth x-rayed every year. Your dentist can diagnose tooth decay at your biannual exam. If they believe a root canal is your best option, they will help you schedule the procedure.
