Picture this: you’re out with your friends enjoying the food at your favorite restaurant when one of your teeth starts to throb. It’s the third time this week. You go rinse your mouth in the bathroom sink. Eventually, the pain subsides again. Should you return to eating? Or should you call the dentist? The truth is you may need root canal treatment.
If you’ve had throbbing or stinging pain that suddenly stopped, it may be a signal that your tooth is infected. Continue reading to learn more about root canal treatment and how it can save your teeth.
What Is Root Canal Treatment?
When the pulp or center of a tooth becomes infected, it slowly begins to leach into other parts of your mouth and body. It can cause extreme sickness and erode the bone of your jaw if left untreated.
Root canal treatment is used to clean out the roots of an infected tooth. This often saves the tooth from extraction and relieves any pain you might experience as a part of the infection.
During the treatment, your dentist will create a small hole in the affected tooth, clean it out with special instruments, and seal it with a special rubber called gutta-percha. Afterward, the tooth will be restored with a filling or dental crown.
Why Is My Tooth Pain Disappearing a Bad Thing?
If you’ve been experiencing pain in your tooth for a while, and it suddenly stops, this could be a signal that the nerves in the pulp chamber of your tooth have been compromised. This may spare you from the pain of an infection, but not the infection itself.
Do I Always Need a Root Canal if My Tooth Hurts?
Not always, there are many reasons your tooth could be in pain.
- Food could be stuck in between your teeth.
- You could have a cavity that you can’t see.
- Your tooth could be chipped or cracked.
- You may have enamel erosion that causes tooth sensitivity.
Keeping up with a regular dental hygiene routine of brushing and flossing can help prevent cavities and remove food from between teeth that might be causing irritation.
However, if your tooth already has cavities or is exposed due to chips or cracks, you should see your dentist as soon as possible. If you catch it in time, you may be able to avoid root canal treatment altogether. In a perfect world, this is the option that your dentist would prefer.
If you’ve been living with tooth pain, don’t continue to ignore it or put off treatment. Resolving these issues as quickly as possible can not only relieve your pain but can also save your tooth from extraction.
About the Practice
At Midtown Family Dentistry of Dallas, every patient receives the care and attention they deserve from their team of talented and friendly dentists. With specialized training and the latest dental technology, the team is ready to cater to your unique needs. To schedule an appointment, call (469) 529-6016 or visit the website to explore other services.