Toothache and sensitivity have many causes, and not all of those causes mean a root canal. But some signs are worth taking seriously - here’s what to look out for, and when to get a tooth checked.
Root canal treatment is needed when the soft tissue inside the tooth - the pulp, which contains the nerve - becomes inflamed or infected. That usually follows deep decay, a crack, a very large filling, or a knock to the tooth.
The things worth noticing: sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers for a while afterwards; pain when biting or under pressure; a deep, persistent ache or throbbing; a tooth that is darkening in colour compared with its neighbours; tenderness or swelling in the gum; or a small ‘pimple’ on the gum that may come and go. A lasting bad taste can be a sign too.
A nerve can die quietly, with little or no pain, and the problem is only spotted on a routine X-ray. Absence of pain doesn’t always mean absence of a problem, which is one reason regular check-ups matter.
A brief twinge of cold sensitivity that passes quickly is often nothing to worry about, and plenty of aches have simpler causes. The aim here isn’t to alarm you - but to help you recognise when something is worth getting looked at.
Caught early, treatment is usually simpler and the outlook for saving the tooth is better. Left too long, infection can spread and the options narrow. If in doubt, it is always worth an assessment.
Only a proper assessment - with a 3D CBCT scan where helpful - can confirm whether a root canal is needed. If you’re worried about a tooth, I’ll give you an honest view and your options.
Get in touch